Discover Rome’s Iconic Street Revitalized by a New Luxury Hotel

The InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace is one of a wave of luxe new hotels aiming to revamp the street famously featured in ‘La Dolce Vita.’

When Federico Fellini’s cinematic masterpiece “La Dolce Vita” came out in 1960, Rome’s Via Veneto became the symbol of sybaritic indulgence. It was the epicenter of the city’s hedonistic nightlife, where elegant Romans gathered at sidewalk cafes and nightclubs, while paparazzi chased down starlets. However, it has been a lengthy period since Via Veneto’s 1960s heyday, and over the decades, the street has become a shadow of its former self.

Now, however, a crop of new luxury hotels is seeking to bring some glamor back to the famed street. Last year, the W Rome opened, creating buzz with its rooftop lounge and ground-floor restaurant by Michelin-starred Sicilian chef Ciccio Sultano. Nevertheless, when the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace opened its doors on May 1, it became the first new hotel to reside directly on Via Veneto in years.

InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace

• The InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace is the first hotel to open directly on iconic Via Veneto in years.
• The rooftop bar has a glass-walled enclosure, remaining open year-round, serving delicious craft cocktails with panoramic views.
• The hotel showcases historic design with a grand marble staircase and gold-coffered ceilings in the lobby.

A stone’s throw from the American Embassy, the building was originally constructed in 1900 as a residence for visiting ambassadors. It served as a library for the American Embassy in the 1940s, before transitioning into a family-owned hotel. In 2018, IHG Hotels & Resorts took over, ushering the property into a new era.

In pursuing this vision, IHG partnered with LDV Hospitality, established by John Meadow, whose family hails from Venice, to open an outpost of the celebrated restaurant Scarpetta — and a rooftop bar called Charlie’s. Scarpetta NYC brings a slice of New York to the Eternal City, featuring steaks from LDV’s other signature restaurant, American Cut. Inspired by the jazz clubs of East Harlem, Charlie’s welcomes guests from the elevator with a gallery wall of black-and-white photos of New York City and a playful neon sign that reads, “Nothing but a good time, Charlie.” Additionally, featuring a glass-walled enclosure, the rooftop bar can remain open year-round, serving craft cocktails alongside stunning views. Furthermore, a ground-floor bar named Anita’s pays homage to Anita Ekberg, the star of “La Dolce Vita.”

As an American living in Rome and a huge Fellini fan, I decided to check in for a staycation, curious to discover how the hotel would contribute to the street’s revival. After indulging at Scarpetta and Charlie’s, I retreated to the peace and quiet of my junior suite. The understated design features arches inspired by ancient Roman architecture, crisp white walls, plush beds, and luxurious bathrooms outfitted with Byredo bath products. Each room is equipped with Illy espresso machines and minibars stocked with soft drinks and Italian wine.

“My approach for any of our projects is mainly to reuse and work around the existing features, so we walked in and yes, it was dark, old, and dated in a way. It had never been refurbished, but the box was there with these beautiful gold ceilings and columns,” explains Veronica Givone of IA Interior Architects, who designed the lobby, corridors, and the 160 rooms. It was important to preserve as many historic elements as possible, including the grand marble staircase and gold coffered ceilings in the lobby. Rome-based American designer Anton Cristell is behind the luxe, colorful interiors of Scarpetta NYC and Charlie’s, the rooftop bar. The two collaborated to ensure the spaces flow seamlessly, adding a bronze door from the lobby into the restaurant.

“Our name LDV Hospitality is a homage to ‘la dolce vita,’ a lifestyle that centered on the iconic Via Veneto in Rome,” says Meadow, adding, “Both symbolic and fortuitous, opening Scarpetta in the InterContinental Ambasciatori Palace on this very street has been a dream come true.”

There’s much more on the horizon for Via Veneto and the surrounding area, including a soon-to-open location of Ian Schrager’s Edition Hotels. Next year, Nobu and Rosewood are set to open hotels on Via Veneto, while Baccarat has taken over the historic Hotel Majestic with plans to reopen it in 2025. The opening of the InterContinental Ambasciatori Palace marks an exciting beginning — whether the street will experience an authentic renaissance remains to be seen.

Rooms at the InterContinental Ambasciatori Palace start at $892 a night. For more information, visit intercontinental.com.