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HOTELS & RESTAURANTS, beyond mainstream

The art and history of the Eternal City narrated through the language of architecture and design

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Located in an elegant Roman palace overlooking Palazzo Borghese – from which it draws its name and whose first construction dates back to the seventeenth century – the Borghese Contemporary Hotel is the newly inaugurated structure of the Mascagni Collection hotel group. The property is owned by the Piperno family, who has a long tradition in the hospitality industry with a precise foundation date: 1973. The clientele to which the Borghese Contemporary Hotel looks is the so-called bleisure, that is business plus leisure. 

What is immediately strikes about this property is the ideal location, right in the heart of the Italian capital, a short walk from the monuments of Ara Pacis, Piazza di Spagna, Pantheon, Via Condotti – the quintessentially Roman shopping street – and the Trevi Fountain. The history of the Eternal City, its aristocratic classicism and the love for contemporary art have defined every choice of design and architecture. This has been well expressed by the owner Romeo Piperno: “In the name ‘ContemporARy HoTel’ we find the word ART to stress its importance as it guides our guest through colours, materials, decorations in a mix of tradition and modernity”.

Borghese Contemporary Hotel, Rome, Italy <br /> Image copyright: @Borghese Contemporary Hotel
Borghese Contemporary Hotel, Rome, Italy
Image copyright: @Borghese Contemporary Hotel
Borghese Contemporary Hotel, Rome, Italy <br /> Image copyright: @Borghese Contemporary Hotel
Borghese Contemporary Hotel, Rome, Italy
Image copyright: @Borghese Contemporary Hotel

Starting from its history, the building that houses the hotel is part of the property acquired in the seventeenth century by Camillo Borghese, future Pope Paul V, becoming over time the hub of the upper middle class district of Rome. Later, at the beginning of the nineteenth century, it was completely renovated by Luigi Canina, trusted architect of the Borghese family who gave it the identity that currently characterizes it. Its first purpose was to welcome guests of the family. The current project has been curated by the architect Antonio Marincola of the architectural firm Marincola Architects, who has been able to fully enhance the context and the experience. Today it is an elegant and sophisticated hotel built around a charming inner courtyard that we could define “a secret garden”. 

The art and history of Rome run along the architecture of the rooms and their walls. Ancient art and contemporary art have always been a passion of the Piperno family, reflected here in a specific stylistic research. The result is a truly unique combination of classicism and valorisation of the contemporary. Several international artists have contributed to this immersive experience: Cameron Welch, Ed Ruscha, Sandro Sanna, Diego Miguel Mirabella, Aaron Young, Felix Gonzalez Torres, Travis Fish, Elle De Bernardini, Cristallo, Christina Zimpel, Shadi Al-Atallah, Massimo Ri.

The monumentality and art of Rome can also be found in the twenty-four rooms of the Borghese Contemporary Hotel. The walls house landscape works, original reinterpretations of classical architecture and references to Giorgio De Chirico’s Metaphysics. The upholstered furniture recalls the Roman triclinia shapes, while the marble wash basins in the rooms are reminiscent of those of the Roman Domus. The use of velvet, travertine – the Roman marble par excellence – and warm tones such as burgundy, dark green and Pompeian red are direct references to the Roman Empire. The material plasters highlight the compact volumes and earthy colors of the city's historical buildings.

Borghese Contemporary Hotel, Rome, Italy <br /> Image copyright: @Borghese Contemporary Hotel
Borghese Contemporary Hotel, Rome, Italy
Image copyright: @Borghese Contemporary Hotel
Borghese Contemporary Hotel, Rome, Italy <br /> Image copyright: @Borghese Contemporary Hotel
Borghese Contemporary Hotel, Rome, Italy
Image copyright: @Borghese Contemporary Hotel

Particular attention was paid to the design and division of spaces, so that they correspond to the morphology of the building. Therefore, the smaller rooms have been removed to give more airiness to the different areas. There is also a wide choice of rooms and suites: some overlook the rooftops of the city, others the “secret garden”, each with a tailor-made choice of finishes, furnishings and accessories, including the precious Loro Piana fabrics and Flos lighting systems. 

The technological component, indispensable in a structure that we can define as “high-end”, is certainly not lacking. The classicism of the materials interfaces and dialogues with the modernity of the technological systems present in the rooms: badge sensors, presence detectors and the Casting Automation system that allows you to project what you watch from a mobile device onto the television. 

Finally, coming to the common areas, they recall the volumes and forms of classical architecture. The lobby at the entrance anticipates the style and atmosphere of the structure with its spectacular and sinuous staircase. The reception is not only a welcome area, but also a place where to stop and enjoy the reading of one of the volumes of the collection of the internal library dedicated, needless to say, to the history of Rome. In the same area there is also a multifunctional and flexible room that can be used as a meeting or breakfast room. Lastly, the gastronomic offer is active throughout the day, from breakfast until the unmissable selection of cocktails at happy hour. 

Borghese Contemporary Hotel, Rome, Italy <br /> Image copyright: @Borghese Contemporary Hotel
Borghese Contemporary Hotel, Rome, Italy
Image copyright: @Borghese Contemporary Hotel
Borghese Contemporary Hotel, Rome, Italy <br /> Image copyright: @Borghese Contemporary Hotel
Borghese Contemporary Hotel, Rome, Italy
Image copyright: @Borghese Contemporary Hotel
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