Head-to-head · Rome
Two warm hotels in two different corners of the centro. One is a palazzo in a real neighborhood by the Pantheon; the other has a courtyard that feels like an escape from the city. Here is how I would choose.
Stayed at La Minerva · Visited the de Russie · October 2026
The friendliest team I found in Rome, a rooftop restaurant, a bar with a real buzz, and the Pantheon on your doorstep.
My La Minerva review →
A beautiful, large courtyard, playful renovated rooms with lemon and orange ceilings, and a spa with an indoor pool. I loved it.
My Hotel de Russie review →
| La Minerva | Hotel de Russie | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Piazza della Minerva, by the Pantheon | Between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps |
| The feel | Palazzo by the Pantheon (Orient Express) | Garden retreat (Rocco Forte) |
| Outside the door | A real Roman neighborhood | Busy: the crowds between Popolo and the Steps |
| Where everyone gathers | The rooftop restaurant, the bar and the lobby | The large courtyard, with its own bar |
| The view | Lived-in Rome: neighborhood rooftops and domes | A suite terrace over Piazza del Popolo to the hills |
| Spa | Signature Suite bookings through me can include a massage for two | A nice spa with an indoor pool, rare in the centro storico |
| The detail I remember | The best slippers of my whole trip; I kept them | Lemon and orange ceilings in the renovated rooms |
| Booking through me | Breakfast for two, a $100 credit, an upgrade and a VIP welcome | A space-available upgrade, daily breakfast and a hotel credit |
| Best for | Younger travelers, social couples, La Dolce Vita passengers | Couples, Rome first-timers, a spa and a courtyard |
Work with me and you get Fora perks, plus someone who knows these hotels personally and personalizes your stay: I request the de Russie suite with the views, set up La Minerva before La Dolce Vita, and arrange your transfers. Same rate as booking direct.
La Minerva puts you in the neighborhood. You step out by the Pantheon into the city as Romans actually live it, and the hotel’s warmth comes from its people and its shared spaces.
The Hotel de Russie gives you an escape. The street out front is busy, between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, but inside, the large courtyard is the star of the property, and there is a spa with an indoor pool.
If you are younger and want energy and personality, pick La Minerva. If it is your first time in Rome and you want a courtyard and a pool to come back to, pick the de Russie.
At La Minerva, the rooftop restaurant is where I would spend the evening, looking over the domes and rooftops of the centro storico. Then down to the bar and the lobby, which have a real buzz.
At the Hotel de Russie, the evening happens in the courtyard. It is beautiful and large, and it is where everyone gathers, with a bar of arched blue shelves at one side.
The 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.
Downtime at La Minerva is social: the lobby and the bar are shared spaces you actually want to sit in. Book a Signature Suite through me and it can include a 50-minute massage for two.
I saw a stunning suite at the Hotel de Russie with fantastic views, its terrace looking over the obelisk in Piazza del Popolo to the hills. Ask me and I will tell you which one.
The views around La Minerva are more authentic Rome than pristine Rome. I love that. If the postcard view matters most, ask me about the Eden.
The Hotel de Russie rooms have been renovated, and they have the cutest ceilings, each one either lemon or orange themed, with marble bathrooms and a mosaic of birds set into some showers.
What I remember most at La Minerva is a great laugh at check-in and the best slippers of my whole trip. I kept them.
It depends on the trip. La Minerva for younger travelers who want energy and a real neighborhood. The Hotel de Russie for a courtyard, a spa with an indoor pool and a classic first trip to Rome. I loved both.
The Hotel de Russie. It is between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, the golden triangle of Rome on foot. La Minerva suits travelers who want to live like a Roman by the Pantheon.
The Hotel de Russie, with an indoor pool in its spa.
La Minerva. La Dolce Vita journeys start in Rome, so I put clients at La Minerva first.
At La Minerva: daily breakfast for two, a $100 USD hotel credit, an upgrade on arrival, early check-in or late check-out when available and a VIP welcome. At the Hotel de Russie: a space-available upgrade, daily breakfast and a hotel credit. Rates are the same as booking direct.
Tell me your dates and who is coming, and I will tell you which one fits and which room to ask for.
La Minerva review → Hotel de Russie review → Hotel Eden or La Minerva → Hotel Eden or Hotel de Russie → My Rome guide →