Hotel Locarno

The Piazza del Popolo in Rome has become one of the most desired locations in the city. The piazza is now closed to traffic, the magnificent twin churches that dominate the south side of the monumental square have been restored and, for the first time, it seems, locals have noticed the spectacular terraced gardens that flank one side of the piazza. To put this in perspective, imagine Trafalgar Square suddenly free of cars, trucks, buses and coaches and instead sporting a few Conran cafes with outdoor terraces filled with good-looking people on a sunny day.

The Locarno is just around the corner from Piazza del Popolo and has recently expanded into the building next door, creating an outdoor courtyard space, which is at a premium in Rome and makes a particularly seductive place to start the day with an al fresco breakfast. One of the first floor corner suites features an absolutely authentic pre-war all-white bathroom - the hotel in general is exactly how you might imagine the perfect Rome hotel to be: spacious, historic, slightly worn at the edges, crammed with antiques, and above all, authentic.

The property was furnished with antiques sourced from auctions and fairs throughout Italy.This building had once housed a bank, with all the grandeur that implies, and had later been converted to spacious apartments. It had all the right attributes: an impressive stone staircase, impossibly tall ceilings, parquet and marble floors and lots of neoclassical detailing.