Rome
With a history that dates back centuries, and almost untouched relics on every street corner that prove its longevity as a European leader, Rome is heady, hot and breathtakingly beautiful. And heavyweight luxury family hotels with very friendly staff mean you'll want for nothing. Endless weekend visits can leave one craving more, along with a never-ending list of sites yet to sample. And though it can get extremely crowded, hot and, at times, overwhelming in popular summer months, ‘The Eternal City’ is an essential destination for a luxury family holiday, whether taking the family for a hit of culture over a long weekend or for a proper summer holiday.
Hotel de Russie
Hotel de Russie, a five star gem in the heart of the Eternal City, is perfect for budding site-seers.
The Hotel de Russie is wedged neatly between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo on the Via del Babuino, so it couldn’t be better located if it tried. For a hop, skip and jump to all the city’s most sought-after sites, this is luxurious, family-friendly and extremely central to the historical hotspots,...
Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Spa / Pre-Teen friendly / See this Hotel & Book »
La Posta Vecchia
A short drive from Rome’s Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport, La Posta Vecchia is a decadent hotel overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea that you’ll all find impossible to leave.
Originally built in 1640 on the excavated ruins of a Roman villa, La Posta Vecchia is, today, a breathtaking five-star hotel with 19 suites located in Palo Laziale, on the outskirts of Rome. In the middle of a nature reserve and boasting panoramic views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, you’ll be hard-pushed to actually leave...
Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Spa / Pre-Teen friendly / See this Hotel & Book »
Rome Cavalieri
The Rome Cavalieri is an elegant hotel set within fifteen acres of Mediterranean parkland.
Located on one of the hills that surround The Eternal City, The Rome Cavalieri resides with views into the downtown area and right across to St. Peter’s and the Pantheon. Sunday brunch in the L‘Uliveto Restaurant by the outdoor pool is a hit amongst locals and visitors alike, (this is no city in which to diet,)...
Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Spa / Pre-Teen friendly / See this Hotel & Book »
Felice a Testaccio
Via Mastro Giorgio, 29
Though more modern in décor than the scroes of very traditional trattoiras across Rome, the food at this fabulous Testaccio restaurant is unadulterated Roman and you’ll love it. The restaurant follows the local tradition of honouring a local dish that they believe corresponds to a different day of the week (for example, Monday focuses on fettuccini with artichokes,) there are classics present every day such as ravioli and roast lamb with potatoes.
La Pergola
Rome Cavalieri, Via Alberto Cadlolo 101
Though it’s part of the Hotel Cavalierri, we recommend La Pergola even if you stay elsewhere. The city’s only 3 Michelin Star restaurant has Heinz Beck running the kitchen and, for somewhere with such prestigious accolades, the price of dinner is isn’t as steep as one would expect. As you are likely to go with your little ones we suggest arriving on the earlier side as, though children are welcome, this is as fine dining as you would expect from a three-starred gastronomic leader.To get a proper idea of just what Beck is capable of creating, we highly recommend the tasting menu. Unsurprisingly, the wine list has been crafted to perfection and, if you are there during warmer months, dinner has to be enjoyed on the roof terrace with its panoramic views across Rome. If you can get a babysitter, treat yourselves to a dinner date here.
La Pergola restaurant dining area
Trattoria Da Augusto
Piazza de Renzi, 15
Trattoria Da Augusto is a delightful trattoria and a great option for Italian pasta favourites in a relaxed atmosphere within the Trastevere neighbourhood. One of Rome’s most bustling, lively areas, we recommend you try and get there early for outdoor seating where children will be happily entertained by piazza performers between bites.
Shop on Via del Babuino
Via del Babuino is the main shopping street of the city where you’ll find an eclectic blend of boutiques, name brand, high street shops and the crafted designer gear one would expect of an Italian city.
Tour the city by tram bus
Jump on a trambus across the city as a way to see the sights. The subway system in Rome is not stroller-friendly (some stations have no lift and the trains themselves can get terribly overcrowded) so this is a great way to introduce little ones who can’t (or won’t) walk all day to the beauties of the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and The Sistie Chapel, amongst others.
Explora Children's Museum
Explora Children’s Museum is a wonderful environment in which children can learn through being as hands-on as they like in a space dedicated to their education. Workshops, organized activities, photography, play areas, and even a “kitchen studio” are all under one roof in this fantastic, totally child-friendly space on Via Flaminia.
Rome's Parks
If your children crave some greenery and fresh air, they’ll adore the Luna Park on Via dell’Industria in the EUR quarter. There, aside from lots of space to roam freely, you’ll find an amusement park complete with roller coasters and a ferris wheel. If your children are too young for that sort of thing, another good option is the Giancolo Park where they can enjoy puppet shows and pony rides on a hill overlooking the city.
About
Ospedale Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital can be reached on +39 06 68592351 and it’s a specialist children’s hospital (as the name would suggest). Dial 113 or 118 if you need the police or an ambulance. There is an excellent International Medical Centre on Via Giovanni Amendola the privately-run Salvatore Mundi International Hospital has lots of English-speaking doctors.
When to go
Rome is wonderful at any time of year, though typically it is top-heavy with tourists during June, July and August, as are most revered Italian cities. Lent and Easter are fascinating (and often work with school holidays) because of the religious festivals that take place across the city. Christmas, though cold, showcases some wonderful Christmas markets: Piazza Navona is a particularly good one if you’re in the city over the New Year period as, on January 5th, a local “Befana,” (a good witch) is thought to fly across the country giving gifts to good children and coal to the naughty; the market is a frenzy that night with the stall-holders selling sweets and toys before packing up the decorations for another year.
Currency
Euro
Language
Italian