TL;DR

Modern boutique luxury: – one of the Rome’s best contemporary hotels, an alternative to historic stays.
Design-led interiors: – bright spaces with a sleek contemporary aesthetic.
Rooftop dining: – Alto pairs excellent food with sweeping views over the Tiber and the city.
Excellent location: – ideally positioned in Prati between the Vatican & the historic centre.
Check prices here

The First Musica, in Prati, Rome, is a luxury boutique hotel which swaps the usual historic grandeur for far more contemporary design.

It has wonderfully bright, open interiors and a great rooftop restaurant overlooking the Tiber.

In a city full of classic palazzo, heritage hotels, the First Musica feels refreshingly modern.

You’ll be welcomed by a gleaming sort of bronze and glass exterior that reads Roman luxury without the columns or arches.

Inside, you’ll get hints of classic opulence: Interiors mix marble, brass and warm wood finishes here and there but overall there’s a much cleaner, more contemporary aesthetic than you’ll find in most boutique hotels in Rome.

If you want something historical and rich with stories, this probably isn’t the place.

We’re confident that The First Musica will end up having many stories to tell, but in the grand scheme of Rome, it’s still very young.

What are the rooms like?

Just 24 rooms: – an intimate, luxury boutique hotel.
Distinctive design: – white-on-white interiors balanced by mural walls and bold photography.
Tiber views: – river-facing rooms add significantly to the overall experience.
Flexible suites: – larger categories include seating areas, sofa beds and connecting-room options.
Luxury comforts: – pillow menus, quality bedding, smart TVs, speakers and premium toiletries.
See each room in detail here

Rooms have the white on white of many other stylish hotels, but perfectly selected mural walls, furnishings and bold black-and white portraits give each space some personality.

Some of the oversized photography and monochrome design choices may feel a bit too try-hard, but the rooms are certainly extremely comfortable, with quality bedding, pillow menus and luxury toiletries.

The simplest options, Prestige Rooms, are a reasonable size, at least 22 square metres, and dominated by floor-to-ceiling windows.

The First Musica’s other options range from Prestige Rooms with views of the Tiber to spacious suites all done up in marble and brass.

If budget allows, the Tiber view categories are the ones to book. The views add loads to the experience.

Suites feature separate seating areas and sofa beds good for families, and it’s possible to connect rooms and suites for larger groups.

Wherever you end up, you’re enjoying, quality speakers, smart TVs, robes, slippers, seating and tea-and-coffee facilities

What are prices like?

Check dates and prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?s like?

Rooftop restaurant: – Alto offers one of the most impressive dining settings in the area.
Sunset views: – a superb spot for evening drinks overlooking Rome.
Seafood-focused menu: – Italian cuisine centred around fresh shellfish and seafood.
Memorable breakfasts: – panoramic city views elevate the morning experience.
Limited facilities: – there is no spa or fitness centre.

We’re not always all-in on a hotel bar and restaurant, but Alto, The First Musica’s dining space, has us charmed.

Seating is tucked under a line of slanted windows that lets the sunlight pour into the space and invites us all to marvel at the view.

It’s, understandably, on the top floor, with the glory of the Vatican, the Tiber, and the Borghese spread out in the distance.

With those views there’s nowhere better to enjoy breakfast, even if it’s just a coffee and pastry.

It’s open for lunch, and you should certainly go there just before sunset for those views alongside for dinner or drinks.

It’s Italian fare, but seafood-focused, delectable shellfish a perfect pairing with a glass of white wine on the rooftop.

Of course, they’ve put most of their energy into rooms and restaurant. It’s a valid choice, and they’ve done a great job, but some guests will be miffed at the lack of a spa or even a small fitness centre.

How is the neighbourhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Prime Prati setting: – perfectly positioned between the Vatican and Rome’s historic centre.
Walkable attractions: – many of the city’s major highlights are reachable on foot.
Near Villa Borghese: – easy access to one of Rome’s most beautiful green spaces.
Castel Sant’Angelo nearby: – just a short stroll from the hotel.
Well connected: – public transport makes reaching the Colosseum and Forum simple.

Prati is pretty perfect for any tourism needs. You’re almost equidistance between the Vatican and the historic centre.

Each is a short, pleasant walk away but the immediate neighbourhood is slightly removed from the crowds.

Piazza Pia and its Castel Sant’Angelo are an easy 15 minutes from The First Musica.

The Vatican is just another 15 from there, with its endless museums and iconic chapel.

For more art and some outside time, cross the Tiber to find yourself on the outskirts of the Villa Borghese in under 15 minutes.

Of course, it’s a stroll through one of Rome’s most beautiful parks to get to the actual Villa, if you think you can bear it.

We would go there just to wander the park.

Or head south, and in 20 minutes you’ll be at the Trevi Fountain, near the Pantheon.

The only truly far highlight of Rome is probably the Colosseum and Forum, both accessible via public transport.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“Our stay at The First Musica was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. The hotel is beautiful, elegant, and perfectly located for exploring Rome. The rooms were spotless, comfortable, and very well maintained, with great attention to detail throughout the property….”

“A beautiful luxury hotel in the centre of Rome. We were given a free room upgrade on arrival as it was my birthday and given a complementary bottle of bubbles on the day of my birthday. All staff were very attentive, friendly and professional. A luxury 5 star experience and would 100% recommend….”