by Margherita Calderoni

After weeks of rain, it was a sunny day which welcomed the guests at the reopening of the imposing Hotel de Russie in Rome on the 15^th of April. Walking along  the famous Via del Babuino between  the renowned Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo,  you could see the flag of the Rocco Forte Hotels proudly waving  on the elegant façade designed by Giuseppe Valadier in 1816. Solemnly allowed in by an English-style doorman, the guests marvelled at the classical beauty of  the entrance before admiring the two vast reception halls decorated with  marble statues, flowers and  modern paintings, everything aimed at restoring the aristocratic aura which becomes a grand dwelling accustomed to aristocratic clients.

 

The deluxe room is spacious and light, with wonderful views

Through the 19th century the hotel hosted Russian dignitaries and famous European personalities such  as Jerome Napoleon, Stravinskij, Lina Cavalieri and Princess Zenaide Yussupova. Actually the testimonial of this Roman event was her descendant Irene Galitzine, who graced  the hotel when banquets and receptions  were hold by  Roman nobility in a time when Picasso and Jean Cocteau  picked oranges from their hotel windows and commented:

“We live in paradise…where the sun heats the furniture with the blue satin of the sky”. Now the furniture is changed to a more updated style according to the refined taste of the designer Olga Polizzi, sister of Sir Rocco, who has created  a different “paradise” in  pastel tonalities, conferring a relaxing atmosphere to rooms and suites, each of them differently furnished  in order to confer a touch of personality along with the highest standards of comforts. 

Under the guidance of  smiling and perfectly -mannered staff, guests have toured the bedrooms gilded with sober and exquisite décor, especially displayed in the bathrooms, whose walls are of  Carrara marble with Roman mosaics. As to the oranges, the glory of the hotel is just the terraced garden, with a profusion of Yew trees and palm trees among Roman ruins, grottoes and rockeries: a romantic haven among luscious foliage in the heart of Rome , perfectly suited to enjoy cocktails such as the Imperial Passion, dedicated to princess Galitzine , which was very much appreciated by the guests. She also has provided her personal book of Russian recipes which will spice-up the menu of the restaurant. During the summer, the restaurant  like the bar,   opens onto the garden and in the courtyard . At the inauguration, it was here that people strolled sipping champagne and tasting canapes, while Rocco Forte and his family kindly complied with  the requests of  the international press gathered to witness the event. 

The celebration was also honoured by the presence of the Mayor of Rome, Francesco Rutelli, who has expressed his satisfaction in seeing  an old architectural jewel reborn to a new life in such grand style, defining it ”The perfect environment for Fashion events of international importance” Fashion indeed is the glamorous link which has brought Sir Rocco to invest in Italy along with Tourism, choosing just two cities with high potential in attracting high class clients for his luxury hotels: Rome and Florence.  23 million pounds of investments which  have brought him back to his origins, despite the fact that he was born and educated in England.

The extensive gardens captivate visitors

Business  of course is stronger than sentimentalism, but Sir Rocco values very much his Italian roots.  He has many Italian friends and he knows how to manage Italian rules , therefore he feels at home in Italy just as much as his guests will feel at home in the string of five-stars hotels he now owns in Europe.

De Russie is the first sparkling gem in his Italian collection, aimed to ensure  superior service delivery and excellent facilities  to achieve the utmost satisfaction for customers. Florence, one of the most beautiful historical cities in the world ,will soon follow ,celebrating the reopening of the Savoy hotel on the 15^th of May, after Olga Polizzi and Lorenzo Bellini have worked to restore the refined Italian elegance which was the hallmark of this stately building situated “under the shadow” of the Brunelleschi’s Dome. And this is just the beginning for Italy, where Sir Rocco, no more under his father’s shadow, has emerged as a noteworthy hotelier in his own right, with ambitious plans  and with his eyes firmly on the future. Such as, for instance,  Sardinia.