Review: The Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto, Rome

The Jumeirah Grand Hotel is the latest slice of 5 star luxury to land on Rome’s salubrious Via Veneto. Synonymous to the likes of Bond Street, Fifth Avenue and The Champs Elysees, Rome’s Via Veneto is famed for being one of the most exclusive streets in the city. Lined with luxury hotels that have stood the test of time, a new kid on the block is always going to cause a stir. Having never stayed in a Jumeirah hotel before, I was delighted to be invited to review the hotel courtesy of Luxury Link and interested to see whether the Dubai-based hotel group could still capture the essence of Rome.

A Roman Welcome

The property is housed within two renovated 19^th century villas, perfectly in keeping with the historical architecture of the Via Veneto. When I arrived, friendly doormen in sandy coloured tails and top hats welcomed me through the door with Italian charm, immediately making me feel at home. Natural light pours in to bright lobby area, with luxurious sofas that are both timeless and inviting.

Attention to Detail

From the lobby to the guest rooms, striking Art-Deco design translates through the entire hotel. Filled with handcrafted furniture inspired by Ruhlmann (the father of 1920’s Art Deco), The Jumeirah Grand Hotel maintains that consistent attention to detail which set luxe hotels apart from the rest. This stunning design and quality transcends into the spacious guest rooms and suites, with dark woods and cosy terracotta shades. During our stay we were shown around the penthouse suites, which showcase exclusive armchairs by Hermes covered in the brand’s distinctive leather and the most incredible private rooftops wrapping around the building.

When in Rome, Eat!

Wherever you are in the world, I believe that one of the easiest ways to measure the true quality of a hotel is through it’s food, and being in Rome, the competition was high. Endless eateries line the streets of the city, but I loved sampling the food within the hotel which was authentic fine dining at it’s best. The real gem within the Grand Hotel is Magnolia restaurant. With its private entrance and courtyard, it’s an exclusive restaurant that attracts a high-end clientele as well as many locals. White table clothes, romantic arches and impeccable service set the tone for fine-dining Italian cuisine of unmistakable precision. The ingredients couldn’t be more fresh or local, so if there’s one place you eat in the Grand Hotel Via Veneto I’d reccommend it’s here.

Spa Junkies Rejoyce

A highlight of the hotel for me was definitely the amazing Aqva City Spa. Over 500 square meters large, the spa includes 6 treatment rooms, all with heated beds and private hammams for ultimate privacy. The star of the spa is undoubtedly the salt water Vitality Pool, with decadent white marble, water jets and coloured mood lighting adding to a feel of real escapism. During my stay I was treated to a full body taster massage before spending the rest of the afternoon jumping between the steam, sauna and vitality pool. The ambient lighting and comfortable lounge beds left me feeling purified and ready to face the world again.

The Sun Seeker Selling Point

Even though I didn’t get to spend too much time on it, a real selling point of the hotel is the gorgeous rooftop terrace. I can imagine it would become the hub of the hotel during the main summer months and a huge advantage for sun seekers. With sun loungers, a Jacuzzi and chic white seating areas, you can combine relaxation in the sun alongside their days of sightseeing and shopping. By night, the terrace comes alive with candles and music, perfect for a romantic Aperol sprtiz after a day of exploring the eternal city.

Thinking Outside The Box

Another thing about the hotel was their dynamic selection of tours activities that allow you to see Rome from a completely new perspective. During my stay, the hotel arranged for us to experience a vintage Fiat 500 City Tour ( be sure to check out my separate blog post about the Fiat 500 Tour) It felt amazing to be whizzing though the hectic streets in a fleet of Rome’s most iconic cars. Luckily, we didn’t have to drive and were accompanied by both a driver and a guide. Our guide, Luca, brought the sights to life with stories told in the most hilarious way. We were also treated to a luxurious picnic with full service and a segway tour in the near by Villa Borghese, Rome’s largest and most picturesque park. The tours further added to the overall hotel experience and everything was flawlessly organised.

The Verdict

I was pleasantly surprised by the way that The Grand Hotel Via Veneto manages to maintains the hallmark of Jumeirah luxury whilst perfectly capturing the magic of Rome. Along with thoughtful attention to detail and inspired ways to explore the city, I’d return to this hotel above any other on the Via Veneto.

This review was for a press trip courtesy of Luxury Link