Best Rome Italy Hotels - Villa Borghese - Rome, Italy

If you go: Rome is such a treasure trove it can be overwhelming. Michelin lists twenty-six "places and monuments of major importance" (three stars) and another thirty-two get two stars.

Advance preparation is a must, as is a good guidebook and a good street map. (My personal favourites are the Michelin Green Guide and Michelin map number 38, which includes a good street .)

There are many fine hotels in Rome in all price ranges. We stayed at two of the very best:

• The Hotel Hassler, next to the Spanish Steps, boasts a great Rome location and is simply one of the finest small-to-medium-sized hotels in the world. Read our indepth review of the Hassler Hotel.
  
  
  

• The Lord Byron Hotel is slightly off the beaten track in lovely residential surroundings. Small, discreet and a feast for the senses, it is ideal for the couple whose immediate interests lie more in each other than in traipsing around the Forum.

The Villa Borghese and Gallery is a must to see. The Villa Borghese, at the northern end of Via Veneto outside the Porta Pinciana, was founded at the beginning of the 17th century by Cardinal Scipione Borghese Caffarelli. The Cardinal was a great patron of the arts, and commissioned many of sculptures Bernini's most admired sculptures. Bernini's most famous masterpieces "Apollo and Daphne", "Pluto and PersePhone" and "David" can be seen at the Villa Borghese.

For hours of operation, rates and map, visit the official Borghese Gallery website.

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