What can only be described as one giant open-air museum showcasing over 2,700 years of history and cultural changes, the enchanting city of Rome is a true masterpiece. From food so good you’ll want to indulge at the sight of every trattoria, gelateria and ristorante you come across to renowned sights like the epic Colosseum, Roman Forums, the Spanish steps and Pantheon, it’s safe to say that this is one city you’ll want to visit at least once in your lifetime.
For food lovers and culture vultures like me, a visit to Italy’s capital city had been a long time coming and the trip was made even more special as it was near the final destination of a Mediterranean Star Clipper cruise I had enjoyed for the previous week.
Nicknamed the Eternal City, by ancient Romans, who believed that whatever happened to the world, Rome would go on forever, I was to find that Rome’s sights may be eternally busy, but they certainly are eternally beautiful. Of course, I needed a fitting base for my maiden visit and so I checked into newly opened hotel, The First Musica by the Pavilions Hotels and Resorts.
Hotel
The latest addition to the collection of ‘The First’ hotels in Rome, Musica opened in early July 2022 and follows in the opulent footsteps of sister hotels, The First Arte and The First Dolce. If you’re thinking there may be a theme running through each, then you’d be right as the former blends exquisite contemporary art curated by a local gallery with the elegance and comfort of a delightfully restored 19th-century palace, while the latter’s elegant pastry gallery, serving mouth-watering sweet and savoury indulgences, sits nicely within its 19th-century boutique residence.
Gently themed with music, which is showcased in the stylish lobby’s décor (an artfully designed piano and shelves of books about music stars) and via the room’s inclusion of a fancy Bang and Olufsen speaker, it’s the hotel’s exterior that’s going to grab your attention. Look for a matt gold exterior and you’ve found The First Musica; it’s a striking way to introduce guests to the place and I suppose sets the scene for the level of opulence that is to be found inside.
Now, if I’m making the place sound rather tacky with the mention of all this gold and talk of themed hotels then scrub that image from your mind and replace it with something that oozes white marble, top-end furnishings, Art Deco touches and high-quality materials bathed in rich tones and complemented with golds, blacks and creams, and you’re closer to the reality of this polished establishment.
As mentioned, the hotel is brand new and so some elements aren’t yet complete. A Spa is due to be finished in 2023, there’s no gym here yet either but if you want to work off some of the delicious pasta you’ve devoured across the city then you can do so at a sister hotel just five minutes away. Just ask at reception and they’ll be happy to help. Guests are welcomed by friendly faces who work hard to make sure you’re well taken of, from city recommendations to taxi arrangements to mealtimes and turndown, and this starts the moment you set foot in that stylish lobby to the minute you leave.
Room
My August trip was filled with 33-degree Celsius days, a little stifling for a Brit who’s used to much cooler temperatures, and so my pleasure at the air-con filled room and minibar full of ice-cold drinks was surely palpable.
The sleek and modern room was decorated in the hotel’s signature gold, black and cream with marble and Art Deco touches abound and I felt the room was well designed creating a fine balance between modernity, usefulness and comfort. Dark wood panelled walls are balanced by a cream headboard and light cream curtains. A shutter and the curtains are controlled with a switch by the bed – one of the welcome modern touches – and bedside tables are adorned with their own built in lights, which offer a soft glow from underneath, as well as charging docks.
Expect to find an espresso machine for some delicioso Italian coffee and there’s a TV to keep you entertained. You’ll also find soft robes, a safe and plenty of storage space in the built-in wardrobe, and I thought the turndown service was one of the finest I’ve experienced.
The bed is bedecked in cool, white linens, and feather soft duvets and pillows to make for a truly cosy night’s sleep, while the bathroom is as stylish as some of the monuments you’ll find around the city. Accessed through a sliding gold door, you’ll find white-grey marble from head to toe, the shower room has a spacious walk-in shower, chunky sink, shelf space for belongings and a bidet too. Bathroom scales, slippers and sizeable toiletries are included, while gold edging and taps top off the stylish space.
Food
There are two dining spaces at the hotel, and they do well to showcase the fantastic skyline views of the city across the river. As well as providing guests with great views, Oliva Restaurant and Alto Cocktail Bar serve up some winning wines and drinks and excellent food with an alluring atmosphere.
Oliva Restaurant sits on the fifth floor of the hotel and is set to serve Mediterranean and regional delights among its sumptuous surroundings. The restaurant was closed during our visit, except for an impressive breakfast, but one look at the menu tells me that diners are in for a real treat. Choose from pasta dishes, pigeon, duck liver terrine, lamb and more among a selection of tasting menus alongside the well selected wines and sit back after a long day sightseeing with the incredible skyline views.
I was there for dinner one evening and this took place in Alto, a smart and stylish space on the sixth and seventh floors, the higher of which is a rooftop space accessed by steps with an impeccable panoramic vista. The sixth-floor level has an indoor and outdoor area and both provide the perfect place to unwind with some victuals as the setting sun creates a beautiful scene in front of you and a DJ creates a buzzing atmosphere.
While my guest and I watched an enchanting display of oranges and pinks above the rooftops as the sun made its farewell for the day I sipped on a delightful glass of Italian white wine as recommended by a waiter. We dined on a delightful array of dishes, which showcases the typical Italian cooking style of using fresh, great quality ingredients prepared simply, but beautifully. The pair of us devoured an artfully displayed plate of salmon sashimi with crème fraiche and chive, a gorgeous loaf of sourdough, and burrata cheese with Cantabrian anchovies and cherry tomatoes to start.
Our main courses consisted of tortellino pasta with a buffalo milk sauce and black truffle, and a breaded veal cutlet served the Milanese way alongside a bowl of cherry tomatoes. Filling, rich, simple and delightful, these dishes left no room for dessert, but if tempted you can choose from deep fried doughnuts with cream, millefeuille with cream and red berries, and Sicilian brioche with ice cream.
It was lovely to dine outside with the great views and the DJ’s tunes serenading us, though it was quiet on the night we were there, I have no doubt that this will become a real hot spot for the city.
Breakfast is not something to gloss over here as it has to be up there with one of the finest I have devoured. The meal was served in Oliva, a stylish space with comfort and elegance in mind with dark green seating pay homage to the name, while wine walls offer up the opportunity to view the sipping selection up for grabs and full-length windows looking across the water to the city centre inspire you consider the day’s explorations.
We were served quite the spread, which I still lust after to this day. Two types of French butter and ricotta cheese were brought out alongside a plate of five different slices of bread or rolls and a selection of four pastries to devour, which I most certainly did. In addition to this, we were gifted a fruit bowl each, delicious granola with yogurt and asked what hot and cold drinks we would like. As if this wasn’t enough, we tucked into a smoked salmon omelette and boiled eggs, all of which was served on branded crockery. A delightful and memorable start to the day and delicious spread to set us up well for a day exploring the great city.
To do
Set in a peaceful part of town along the river, The First Musica is well located and just under a ten-minute walk from the Castel Sant’Angelo one way and the piazza del Popolo the other. The Vatican City is 10-15 minutes away on foot and the bustling centre, which is best explored on foot, boasts an impressive array of historical sights, architectural delights, boutique shops, restaurants and so very much more to discover, all of which can be explored on foot.
Personal highlights included the Trevi Fountain – if you can find a time to visit when the crowds have subsided then you’ve done very well; the Roman Forums and Colosseum, which blew me away with how well these historical remains have been preserved; the Pantheon – make sure to book and cover up if heading inside; and simply wandering the streets and being wowed at the beauty of the place, from the monumental sights to the ornate décor scattered throughout.
In a nutshell
Rome is a city like no other and so it is only befitting that you reside in a hotel like no other as well. The First Musica certainly fits the bill with its gold exterior, smart and super stylish interiors and overall elegant vibe and impressive public spaces.
Factbox
Stays at The Pavilions Rome, The First Musica start from €500 per room per night, including taxes and service.
Address: Lungotevere dei Mellini 27, 00193, Rome, Italy
Tel: +39 06 45617070
Email: info.musica@thefirsthotel.com
Reservations: reservations.musica@thefirsthotel.com
Website: pavilionshotels.com/rome/thefirstmusica
See snippets of my travels on Instagram @tashheard_food_travel
