Review: Palazzo Dama

How did it strike you on arrival?
Palazzo Dama is everything you’d imagine a modern Roman palace to be: chic, polished, and with just the right amount of bling. There’s parquet flooring throughout, chandeliers dripping from the ceiling, and a serious collection of artwork on nearly every wall. No surprise, then, that the property is the former family home of the noble Malaspina family, who threw legendary shindigs for centuries.

Nice. What’s the crowd like?
Guests here are super stylish: expect lots of crisp linen trousers and moccasins (purchased from the Tod’s store on nearby Via del Corso, of course).

The good stuff: Tell us about your room.
The 29 rooms here are fresh and contemporary, with high ceilings and smooth white walls. The beds are big and comfy (complete with a pillow menu), and a plush corner sofa is a welcome place to cosy up with a book in between sightseeing jaunts.

How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?
The art collection is spectacular, and those coffee table design bibles are pretty covetable, too.

Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.
Bathrooms are all marble mosaics, with showers big enough to throw a party in. The products are by Acqua di Parma, of course.

Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?
Wi-Fi is free, hoorah! It works well across the property, even in the garden and by the pool; ideal for uploading those boast-worthy Instagram snaps.

Room service: Worth it?
All-day dining gets a do-over here, with quinoa salads, sea bass ceviche, and tuna tacos all big hitters on the menu. Expect to pay between €14 and €24 per dish.

Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.
The Pacifico bar and restaurant are pure 1920s decadence, with chandeliers, potted palms, and velvet bar stools you could spend an evening in. Chef Jaime Pesaque’s Peruvian-inspired menu is spot on, too. The downstairs nightclub, Raspoutine (could this place be any more perfect?!) is utterly decadent, welcoming the who’s who of Rome’s social scene.

What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?
The morning breakfast spread – often a lacklustre affair in Italian hotels – is a standout at Palazzo Dama, with heaping bowls of mueslis and granolas, fragrant melons and sweet kiwi fruits, and freshly-pressed juices. Take your pick from the platters of still-warm pastries or choose from one of the many egg-based options.

Bottom line: worth it, and why?
A stay at Palazzo Dama’s worth every dollar, just for a few days of aristocrat living.