Built in 1818, the hotel is distinguished by its discreet façade, which conceals a magnificent 0.7-acre garden designed by Giuseppe Valadier — a lush oasis of palm trees, citrus plants, climbing roses, and glimpses of ancient ruins. In the distance, the view of the Pincio and Villa Borghese completes a cinematic tableau that makes every stay truly unforgettable. Once upon a time, on a sunny day, you might have spotted Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau plucking oranges from the garden and eating them on the spot. More than a century later, the Hotel de Russie remains a languid, enchanting retreat. You’re unlikely to find today’s Picassos and Cocteaus (more likely models or film stars) indulging with quite the same hedonism, but you may well catch them lounging in the library, leafing through the International Herald Tribune. Rome is famous for its energy — bumper to bumper traffic and hot, salty scents. Yet, though the Russie sits in the heart of the city — just across from the Spanish Steps and overlooking Piazza del Popolo — it remains a haven of calm. The screech of mopeds fades away, service is discreet, and the décor is understatedly elegant: modern, yet never ostentatious. The best time to stay is between late spring and early autumn, when you can enjoy breakfast on the patio — cornetti and milky espresso in the morning sun — and sip Prosecco on your terrace in the evening, listening to music drifting up softly from the piazza below.