Head-to-head · Rome
Hotel de Russie or Casa Monti?
A classic Rocco Forte with a famous courtyard, or a cute boutique hotel in a real Roman neighborhood. Both have a spa. Here is how I would choose.
Visited both · October 2026
Head-to-head · Rome
A classic Rocco Forte with a famous courtyard, or a cute boutique hotel in a real Roman neighborhood. Both have a spa. Here is how I would choose.
Visited both · October 2026
I loved it. A beautiful, large courtyard, renovated rooms with lemon and orange ceilings, and a spa with an indoor pool, between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps.
My Hotel de Russie review →
So cute. A hip boutique hotel in Monti from the team behind Le Fantaisie in Paris, with trattorias all around and a spa couples can have to themselves.
My Casa Monti review →
| Hotel de Russie | Casa Monti | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Piazza del Popolo, between Popolo and the Spanish Steps | Via Panisperna, in Monti |
| The feel | Garden retreat (Rocco Forte) | Hip, young and fun boutique hotel |
| The neighborhood | The golden triangle of Rome on foot; busy out front | Authentic Roman trattorias all around, full of Romans at Sunday lunch |
| Design | Renovated rooms with lemon or orange ceilings | Super cool patterns, and curtains that hide the TV |
| Room to ask for | The suite with fantastic views; I’ll tell you which one | Ask me about the private spa, and I’ll set it up |
| Spa | A nice spa with an indoor pool | A spa couples can book just for the two of them |
| Dining | The courtyard, where everyone gathers, and its bar | A beautiful rooftop restaurant and a lively one downstairs |
| Best for | Couples, Rome first-timers, a spa and a courtyard | Younger couples and honeymooners |
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, book the Casa Monti spa for just the two of you, and arrange your transfers and drivers. Same rate as booking direct.
Hotel de Russie is the classic choice, and I loved it. The courtyard is where everyone gathers, and it feels like an escape from the city around it.
Casa Monti is the hotel I send people to when the de Russie or the Hassler feel too traditional. It is hip, young and fun, in a neighborhood where real Romans eat lunch.
If you are a first-timer who wants the courtyard, the pool and the walk to the Spanish Steps, pick the de Russie. If you are a younger couple who would rather live like a local in Monti, pick Casa Monti.
Casa Monti is on Via Panisperna in Monti, and the neighborhood is the real thing. There are authentic Roman trattorias all around, and when I visited on a Sunday, real Romans were having lunch at them.
Hotel de Russie sits between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, the golden triangle of Rome on foot. Step outside and you are in the crowds, so the courtyard is your escape.
Casa Monti is from the same company as Le Fantaisie in Paris, and it shows: super cool patterns everywhere and curtains that hide the TV.
Hotel de Russie’s renovated rooms are playful too, with the cutest lemon or orange themed ceilings and marble bathrooms. I saw a stunning suite with fantastic views; ask me which one.
At Casa Monti, couples can book the spa just for the two of them. I arrange it before you arrive, so it is set for your stay.
Hotel de Russie has a nice spa with an indoor pool, rare in the centro storico and a real draw after a day on foot.
At Hotel de Russie, the courtyard and its bar are the heart of the hotel, and the restaurant has hand-painted walls.
Casa Monti has a beautiful rooftop restaurant and a lively restaurant downstairs, and the trattorias outside the door are part of the reason to stay.
It depends on the kind of trip. Hotel de Russie for classic luxury, the courtyard and a spa with an indoor pool. Casa Monti if classic feels too traditional and you want something hip, young and fun.
For younger honeymooners who want something fun, Casa Monti, and book the private spa. For couples who want a classic, Hotel de Russie.
Hotel de Russie is one I recommend to Rome first-timers, between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. Casa Monti is for living in a real Roman neighborhood.
Hotel de Russie has an indoor pool in its spa. At Casa Monti, you can book the spa just for the two of you, which makes it great for couples.
Yes. For a palazzo by the Pantheon with the same real-Rome energy, look at La Minerva.
Tell me your dates and who is coming, and I will tell you which one fits and what to set up before you arrive.
Hotel de Russie review → Casa Monti review → Hassler or Casa Monti → La Minerva or Casa Monti → My Rome guide →