Lonely Planet Review

More style than substance? Possibly, but for fashionistas this is the place to be seen. Based on designer Adam D Tihany's vision of heaven and hell, the eclectic decor features acres of black marble, models of samurai warriors and plenty of red leather. Rooms boast contemporary furniture set against magnified photos of Roman sights.

This is a love-it-or-hate-it kinda place. Unapologetically modern, it's a moody mix of Italian Art Deco, avant-garde minimalism and Roman opulence - with prices to match. Housed in a former bank (the bank's reinforced safe door now opens onto a small health club), it has 96 striking guestrooms. They're not especially big and for what you're paying you could reasonably expect more, but they do look good. Blanched wood and leather bedsteads are offset by huge black and white photos superimposed onto the light walls. The mosaic-tiled bathrooms are also classy with perspex basins set atop black wooden counters. Staff, in black uniforms, are generally helpful and the location - five minutes' walk from Piazza Barberini - is perfect.