Rome certainly needs no introduction: its beauty is there for all to see, and it unfolds in every corner among majestic churches, fabulous aristocratic palaces, and architecture that has emerged from the folds of time. Yet, after thousands of years, it continues to amaze and surprise. Such as Palazzo Vilòn, the most noble wing of the extraordinary Palazzo Borghese, one of the highest expressions of Roman Baroque.
The noble residence comes back to life thanks to Shedir Collection, a collection of luxury boutique hotels dedicated to those seeking a way
Of intimate, authentic, Italian travel. The company specializing in luxury hôtellerie has recently purchased Palazzo Vilòn, to transform it into the most exclusive private residence in the Capital: thanks to this opening, it will be possible to stay directly in the heart of history, surrounded by enveloping frescoes, rare and precious marbles, fine stucco and original furnishings.
Vilòn Palace, a fabulous mansion among elegant galleries and sumptuous salons
We are in the heart of Rome, in the historic Campus Martius District and within walking distance of one of Rome’s most beloved destinations, the Spanish Steps: it is in this exclusive setting that Palazzo Borghese is located, long the home of the family of the same name that was among the most powerful and influential dynasties of seventeenth-century Europe. Prince Giovanni Battista Borghese commissioned the construction of the residence from the celebrated architect Carlo Rainaldi (1611 – 1691), who worked in agreement with the brilliant Bolognese stage designer Giovanni Francesco Grimaldi (1606 – 1680), two masters already well-known following the completion of important architectural interventions.
Completed in May 1678, the palace constitutes one of the highest examples of Roman Baroque, so much so that it was included in the list of “The most notable things as much of the gardens, as of the palaces, libraries, mosei, and galeries of Rome, to facilitate the curiosity of the forastieri”, by the connoisseur Pietro de’ Sebastiani, who had the opportunity to admire the interior even before the work was completed. Thanks to Shedir Collection, which near the Spanish Steps already has its famous Hotel Vilòn, Palazzo Borghese is coming back to life.
Among the rooms preparing to receive new lifeblood are the sumptuous reception rooms, ready to host events, conferences and memorable dinners, the most striking examples of which are the Hall of Railings (100 sq. m.) and the Hall of Mirrors (87 sq. m.). The former, of which Grimaldi was the principal director, is incomparable in its richness and decorative flair: the room accommodates the two majestic staircases leading up to the loggia on the Tiber – in a continuous cross-reference between the real panorama and the vast illusionistic landscapes depicted on the walls; the latter, on the other hand, is the gallery that throughout history has welcomed some of the most illustrious figures of the time, such as architects Nicodemus Tessin (1654-1728) and John Talman (1677-1728): amid light, gilded stucco and the all-Baroque contrivance of painted mirrors, the room is a phantasmagorical setting ready to welcome the most special moments.
Sleeping like the Borghese nobles in one of the most beautiful palaces in Rome
The mission of integrating the sumptuousness of the past with the comforts of the modern era was entrusted to architect Giampiero Panepinto, who furnished and outfitted the spaces. He is credited with setting up the regal bedrooms, the flagship of the facility, 4 exclusive suites that make visitors travel back in time and feel as the nobles of the Borghese family must have felt surrounded by such beauty.
You can stay at the Borghese Suite (113 sq. m.), a masterfully frescoed bedroom equipped with every amenity, and the Junior Suite del Cembalo (60 sq. m.), a ground-floor room lined with silk upholstery and blue marble. Added to these are the Chapel Room (42 sq. m.)-originally designed to endow the dwelling with a place for prayer, decorated with golds, bas-reliefs and stuccoes that evoke, with their iconographic layout, the process of evangelization in the four continents then known and the Superior Room (30 sqm) available for service.
Rooms overlook one of Rome’s hidden gems: the private garden of Palazzo Borghese designed by architect Giovanni Paolo Schor is a green oasis richly dotted with vases, niches and water features. These include the central fountain that stages The Bath of Diana with Nymphs, a splendid water theater animated by figures sculpted by Leonardo Retti of Como (1666-1714).
The Spa and all the comforts of Vilòn Palace
In the priceless historic setting of Vilòn Palace, guests will also be able to enjoy all the most exclusive and modern amenities the residence has to offer. In particular, among the surprises of which this place is the jealous custodian is an extraordinary private spa (120 sq. m.) equipped with a swimming pool, sauna and Turkish bath, which complements awell-equipped gym equipped with the most advanced fitness machines.
And that’s not all: available to Palazzo Vilòn guests is a private kitchen for candlelight dinners or large receptions, overseen by Hotel Vilòn Executive Chef Gabriele Muro. Served and pampered by the hotel’s incredible staff and butlers, Palazzo Vilòn is an experience within the experience of Rome, a world of wonder for those who want to live the dream of the Great Beauty for a long time.
