Head-to-head · Rome
One is built around a big, calm courtyard between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. The other is all marble, mosaics and energy, next to the Mausoleum of Augustus. Here is how I would choose.
Visited both · October 2026
A beautiful, large courtyard that feels like an escape from the city, renovated rooms with lemon and orange ceilings, and a spa with an indoor pool.
My Hotel de Russie review →
Spectacular. Base rooms the size of junior suites elsewhere, a lively and sophisticated crowd, and more places to eat and drink than I could count.
My Bulgari review →
| Hotel de Russie | Bulgari | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Piazza del Popolo, between Popolo and the Spanish Steps | Piazza Augusto Imperatore, next to the Mausoleum of Augustus |
| The feel | Garden retreat: the courtyard is the star | Very modern and lively, almost like an EDITION but much more sophisticated |
| Outside the door | A busy street and the crowds between Popolo and the Steps | Busy streets; the hotel itself is on the lively side |
| Rooms | Renovated, with the cutest lemon or orange ceilings | Base rooms other hotels would call deluxe rooms or junior suites |
| Room to ask for | The suite with fantastic views; I’ll tell you which one | Often the entry category; I’ll tell you when an upgrade is worth it |
| Bathrooms | Marble, with a mosaic in the shower | Marble everywhere and incredible mosaics |
| Spa and fitness | A nice spa with an indoor pool, rare in the centro storico | The biggest gym I saw in Rome, plus a spa |
| Eating and drinking | The courtyard, where everyone gathers, and its bar | A rooftop bar and pizza restaurant, more bars, and a trattoria with €18 pastas |
| Best for | Couples, Rome first-timers, a spa and a courtyard | Space, energy and great dining without leaving the hotel |
Work with me and you get Fora perks, plus someone who knows these hotels personally and personalizes your stay: I point you to the de Russie suite with the views, tell you whether the Bulgari’s base room is already enough, and arrange your transfers from Fiumicino or Termini. Same rate as booking direct.
Hotel de Russie is built around its courtyard. It is where everyone gathers, and it feels like an escape from the city around it. Add the spa with an indoor pool and you have somewhere to unwind after the crowds.
The Bulgari is lively, almost like an EDITION but much more sophisticated. The base rooms are very large, and there are so many bars and restaurants that you barely need to leave.
Both put you on busy streets the moment you step out. If you want to come back to a garden and a swim, pick the de Russie. If you want room to spread out and a scene upstairs, pick the Bulgari.
Space is rare in central Rome, and the Bulgari is one of the exceptions. The base rooms are what other hotels would sell as a deluxe room or a junior suite, so the entry rate already buys real space. I’ll tell you when a higher category is worth it.
At Hotel de Russie, the rooms have been renovated and they are charming, each with a lemon or orange themed ceiling. I also saw a stunning suite with a terrace and fantastic views. Ask me and I’ll tell you which one.
Hotel de Russie has a nice spa with an indoor pool. That is rare in the centro storico, and a real draw after a day walking the city.
The Bulgari has the biggest gym I saw in Rome: massive, with serious equipment, plus a spa. If you train on vacation, this is the one.
At the Bulgari, there is a beautiful rooftop bar and pizza restaurant, another bar on the floor below it, and more. Honestly, I’m not even sure how many there are. Downstairs there’s a classic Roman trattoria with fair prices, like €18 pastas. I loved that.
At Hotel de Russie, life happens in the courtyard, with its bar, and in the restaurant with hand-painted walls.
Hotel de Russie sits between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, the golden triangle of Rome on foot. The street out front is busy, so the courtyard is your calm.
The Bulgari is right next to the Mausoleum of Augustus, which is almost done with its renovation. It is on the lively side. If quiet is the priority for either, I would send you to the Eden.
It depends on what you want to come home to. Hotel de Russie for the courtyard, the playful renovated rooms and a spa with an indoor pool. The Bulgari for very large base rooms, a lively, sophisticated scene and great dining without leaving the hotel.
The Bulgari. Its base rooms are what other hotels would call deluxe rooms or even junior suites. At Hotel de Russie, ask me about the suite with the views.
For a swim, Hotel de Russie: its spa has an indoor pool, rare in the centro storico. For a workout, the Bulgari, with the biggest gym I saw in Rome plus a spa.
Hotel de Russie is one I recommend to Rome first-timers: you are between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, and you come back to the courtyard.
Tell me your dates and who is coming, and I will tell you which one fits and which room to ask for.
Hotel de Russie review → Bulgari Hotel Roma review → Hotel de Russie or Corinthia → Bulgari or Corinthia → My Rome guide →