Palm Suite Rome: Checked In.

Palm Suite, a few steps from the Colosseum.

She Knows because she goes.

My Honest Review.

By Emma Gabriel, Founder of Where She Stayed.

Five nights at Palm Suite in Monti, Rome. A one bedroom Palm Forum View suite, the Colosseum outside the window.

Here's what I thought.

Walking in

You walk into a big open courtyard. To the right is a small reception. It's more a smart little office than a typical hotel lobby. Nicely decorated, just compact.

Checking in feels like arriving at an apartment building. Fitting, because it used to be one. Up in the lift, and you're home.

The room

It's an old building with beautiful bones. Wooden beams run across the ceiling. They've made it modern but kept the ornate wooden touches, the building's character.

Then the suite. Velvet patterned cushions. A black and white rug on the herringbone floor, patterned like an old Roman floor plan. Palm leaves above the bed. An ornate mirror to accent the room. It's simple, but every piece has been chosen and placed with care. You can feel it. The bathroom is small but well done, so it never feels cramped.

Every suite is different. Each has its own splash of bright colour, its own textured cushions, its own bold print above the bed. Ours was palm leaves.

There's a little kitchenette, which is exactly why I booked it. For a longer stay, it's nice to have one. It feels more homey.

It's spacious. This was an old apartment turned into a suite, so there's room to spread out.

Look out the window and turn your head to the left. The Colosseum. Not a speck in the distance. Right there to wave to every morning.

Palm leaves above the bed, beams overhead.

Where it is

Monti, a few minutes' walk from the Colosseum and the Forum.

Monti is made for wandering. The cobbled streets, the well groomed buildings. There are lots of beautiful boutique shops. The place to find something beautiful, handmade and special. I found a jacket here years ago, and people ask about it every time I wear it. That kind of thing.

There are lots of great little restaurants and cafes, and lots of dogs. Nothing better than lounging at a cafe table, watching the well manicured dogs go by.

One of my favourite places to eat is Taverna Urbana, on Via Urbana. Fresh pasta. Friendly staff. Lots of locals, always a good sign. They're known for their cacio e pepe, which they finish in a wheel of cheese at your table. Drool worthy.

Breakfast

There's no restaurant on site. Breakfast comes over from Palazzo Manfredi, the sister hotel round the corner, carried across on a silver topped tray.

And it's huge. A full basket of croissants and bread. Cereals. Coffee and juice. A tiered tray of cakes. Fruit every day. Divine.

Palm Suite costs much less than Palazzo Manfredi, but you still get the Manfredi touches.

Breakfast in another suite. A different bold print above.

Drinks, and dinner

The Court, at Palazzo Manfredi. My all time favourite aperitivo spot in Rome.

It's an open air cocktail bar. A long travertine counter, sofas, and the Colosseum straight ahead, reminding you you're in Rome every time you lift your gaze. The ruins of the old gladiator school sit just below.

It's where I take my friends every time they come to Rome with me. And where I took the whole Solo, Together Rome gang on their first evening. It's impressive and vibey.

Upstairs on the rooftop is Aroma, Palazzo Manfredi's Michelin starred restaurant, for a fancier evening out. Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio cooks modern Italian, again with the Colosseum as the view from your table.

Staying at Palm Suite gets you priority booking at Aroma. Enjoy it.

Golden hour at The Court. The Colosseum, right there.

The service

It feels like an apartment stay, but the rooms were cleaned each day. The team are very kind and accommodating, but you hardly see them, as there's no big central lobby to bump into each other in. They're easy to reach by phone. On our last day, they kept our bags at reception so we could keep wandering before the long drive to Florence.

The Perks.

I don't book a hotel without sorting the perks first, even when I'm the guest.

Here, that meant breakfast for both of us each morning. The silver tray every morning.

And a hotel credit to spend during our stay.

What it isn't

It isn't a fancy hotel. It feels like a lovely serviced apartment. There's no restaurant, no bar and no grand lobby.

If you want the full luxury hotel experience, this isn't for you. For a long stay, for a homier feel, it's perfect.

The courtyard, and the palm that gives the place its name.

Who I'd place here

Anyone staying a while in Rome.

Anyone who wants to be in a beautiful neighbourhood.

Anyone who loves to walk. There's so much to explore in Monti.

Anyone who likes a kitchenette on a longer stay.

Would I stay there again?

Absolutely. I loved it. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

Heading to Rome?

Get in touch and let's start planning.