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The Lungotevere, Rome's busy Tiber-side road, sounds like an unpromising site for a hotel. But behind its tall iron gate stands one of the capital's most interesting new mid-range options. Villa Laetitia is classified as a 'residence', which means there's a kitchen corner in each of the 15 rooms, but it's best thought of as an upmarket, designer B&B. Two things set it apart from the herd. One is the setting: the bedrooms occupy an annexe of the main villa, surrounded by
a garden of ilex, palms, orange and lemon trees, just far enough from the traffic drone to make birdsong the main soundtrack. The other is the fact that owner Anna Fendi Venturini - one of the five Fendi fashion-brand sisters has given each of the rooms a funky, individual twist. Original Art Deco details (cast-iron lampshades, decorative graniglia floor tiles that climb halfway up the wall) are mixed in with modern design and furniture (such as a lizard-skin bedstead) from the Fendi Casa range. There are also dozens of fashion sketches by Karl Lagerfeld, creative genius behind the brand. But what makes the place special is the attentive service (we like details such as a choice of pillows, the complimentary morning newspaper, the free Wi-Fi) and the profusion of green: almost all of the rooms have either a private terrace or garden access. And although this is not the most central of locations, it's well placed for those driving in from the north.
WHEN TO GO
The garden makes this
one of the few Roman boltholes that is bearable in high summer.
ROOM TO BOOK
The black-and-white Karl Suite, a camp, Viennese-style tribute to the Austrian designer.
CONTACT
Lungotevere delle Armi 2223, Rome, Italy (00 39 06 322 6776; www.villalaetitia.com).
COST
Doubles from 150 euros; Karl Suite from 350 euros
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