The First Arte, Rome | A Design First Hotel

The First Arte is a hotel that combines design, functionality and location to create a distinctive Roman stay. Located on Via del Vantaggio in Campo Marzio, it is ideally positioned for exploring Piazza del Popolo, Via del Corso and the Spanish Steps. However, once inside the hotel, you may feel further removed from the busier streets than you really are.

The hotel occupies a nineteenth-century palazzo and has been restored as a contemporary art hotel with 26 rooms and suites. It retains the character of a Roman palazzo, while using contemporary art, vibrant colours and modern furniture to give the property a clear identity beyond its historical provenance.

The hotel is also home to two main dining venues: AcquaRoof Terrazza Molinari and the fine-dining Acquolina, which currently holds two Michelin stars. This combination draws both locals and visitors and is another reason The First Arte stands out within Rome’s hotel scene.

Who this Edit is for

Image: Rooftop view from The First Arte. © 2026 Palates & Miles

This Edit is for those looking for a central Rome hotel where location and design matter more than having a large hotel footprint. The First Arte combines considered dining options with clear design features, while ensuring that the hotel’s identity remains led by its interiors and overall aesthetic. Its location makes much of central Rome easily accessible, while still providing enough distance from the busiest tourist areas for a more private and restful stay.

Those who prefer smaller hotels will find this Edit particularly useful, as will those who want to combine their stay with some of the highest levels of dining in the city.

The standard

Every recommendation in this Edit is assessed against the same five points: service, design, food and drink, atmosphere and value. Value is not about cheap or expensive. It is whether the experience earns the time and price invested.

Location, arrival and check-in

Image: Lounge Bar at The First Arte. © 2026 Palates & Miles

The First Arte’s location very much plays to its advantage. Via del Vantaggio runs just off the northern end of Via del Corso, with Piazza del Popolo only around a five-minute walk north. Via del Babuino and the Spanish Steps are also easily walkable, putting shopping, restaurants and many of Rome’s important sights within one central area.

Arrival is along a cobbled street and, if you are not looking for the hotel entrance, you may easily miss it. While the entrance is not on the scale of a grand Roman hotel, it is deliberately discreet and understated, which adds to the character. A porter is available to assist with luggage and you are immediately welcomed by the team as you step inside. The lobby is well proportioned, with a small check-in area to the left and a central seating area that leads into the Lounge Bar, the hotel’s more relaxed bar space. An additional informal seating area is located to the right of the main lobby.

What was particularly good about the check-in experience on this occasion was that it was completed in the Lounge Bar, where a welcome drink was offered. This was especially appreciated given the summer temperatures outside. Documents were taken away and processed separately while we relaxed in the lounge. Although the room was not ready on arrival due to the early check-in time, the team promised to message as soon as it became available.

AcquaRoof Terrazza Molinari

Image: Pasta course at AcquaRoof. © 2026 Palates & Miles

AcquaRoof, located on the hotel’s rooftop, is the main space for all-day dining. It is open in the morning for breakfast and again for lunch and dinner. There is also a bar within the space for aperitifs and late-night drinks. The restaurant offers some of the best views across the rooftops and monuments of central Rome and has retractable windows and roof, meaning the space can be enjoyed year-round. There is also the benefit of air conditioning, which makes it particularly comfortable during the height of summer, even when the space is opened up to the outdoors. It is popular with guests, locals and visitors alike and has become a reason in its own right to visit the hotel.

Image: Dining setting at AcquaRoof. © 2026 Palates & Miles

During this stay, AcquaRoof was particularly useful for lunch while waiting for the room to become available. The menu is fish-focused, with raw and cooked seafood offered across starters, pasta and main or secondi courses. There is also a dedicated raw fish section, should that be of interest. At lunchtime, the Tagliolini with butter, lemon and caviar was a particular highlight. There are no meat options available, so this should be noted before booking or visiting. The same menu is offered at both lunch and dinner.

There is a good wine selection and cocktail menu, with mythology providing the theme for the signature cocktails. There are also Molinari Signature cocktails from the famous Sambuca producer, alongside a selection of classics.

The views make spending a few hours here an enjoyable experience, whether dining or sitting on the fully open terrace for a drink before or after dinner plans. It is a lively spot and captures the atmosphere of the property well.

Breakfast is also served here in the mornings, with a selection of hot dishes available to order from the menu. The experience is service-led, with pastries, breads, fruit, yoghurt and granola brought to the table as standard.

P&M note: You do not need to reserve for lunch in advance. However, if you plan to dine at AcquaRoof for dinner, booking through reception at check-in is advisable to secure your preferred time and table.

The Arte Suites

Image: Living room in Arte Suite. © 2026 Palates & Miles

This stay was in an Arte Suite, where the hotel’s approach to both design and comfort is most evident. With just 26 rooms and suites, The First Arte has more scope than most larger hotels to create individual spaces for its guests. For a small hotel, the suite was particularly well proportioned, with a separate living area containing an armchair and side table, sofa and coffee table, alongside wardrobe space and other amenities, all without feeling cramped. The furniture is deliberately kept to a minimum, while soft lighting and artwork add character to the room.

The bedroom is accessed through two doors positioned either side of the wall-mounted television. A large king-size bed sits alongside two bedside consoles. While this part of the suite is not especially large, it is comfortable and provides a clear separation between the living and sleeping areas. Off the bedroom is a compact but adequate marble-tiled bathroom, with a walk-in shower, vanity, bidet and toilet. Acqua di Parma Colonia products are provided, adding another considered detail to the room.

Image: Bedroom in Arte Suite. © 2026 Palates & Miles

There is no balcony or private outdoor space with this suite, however natural light comes through two floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the street and buildings opposite. A further window on the other side of the living room looks towards the hotel’s interior rooftops, helping make the space feel brighter throughout the day.

The suite was clean and fresh on arrival, with welcome chocolates provided. Turndown service was also offered in the evening, which is particularly useful after a day exploring Rome when returning to the hotel before dinner.

The First Arte does not try to replicate the interiors of a classical Roman grand hotel. Instead, the focus is on contemporary design, artwork and creating a comfortable escape from the streets outside. For those looking for additional space and an outdoor element, the hotel also offers a Spa Suite with a private terrace and hot tub.

How to plan a stay

The First Arte makes most sense for those who want a design-led hotel stay alongside a convenient location for exploring central Rome. Piazza del Popolo, Via del Corso, Via del Babuino and the Spanish Steps can all be reached on foot. Transfers can also easily collect you outside the hotel for journeys further afield.

The hotel is small, with a limited number of rooms, so once your Rome plans are confirmed, it is best to book early to ensure you can secure your preferred room category. The hotel is air conditioned throughout, which is particularly important during the summer when temperatures in Rome can climb considerably.

P&M notes

• Review the room and suite categories carefully before booking. With only 26 rooms and suites in a historic building, layouts and space can vary. Contact the hotel ahead of booking if you have any specific questions.

• Reserve AcquaRoof for dinner or evening drinks. Do not leave it to chance, as it is popular with non-residents. The dress code is smart casual, so bear this in mind, especially if you are coming directly from a day exploring Rome.

• If you want a more refined fine-dining experience, Acquolina is open Tuesdays to Saturdays for tasting menus. Advance online reservations are required and tables can book out, so it is worth securing this early if you plan to include it in your stay.

Final thoughts

The First Arte works well because it has created a clear and distinctive identity among Rome’s hotels. Its location gives easy access to central Rome, while its approach to design makes it a place to relax away from the busier streets outside.

For a small hotel, it offers a strong combination of dining, rooftop drinks and well-crafted rooms. Consistent service ensures guests are well accommodated throughout, without ever feeling overbearing. This is a hotel we know we will return to in the future.

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