For our one night in Rome, we booked The Rome EDITION using our Amex Brilliant free night. The property is just a few years old and sits just behind Via Veneto, where many of the city’s classic luxury hotels are located. The Edition Hotels brand, part of Marriott Bonvoy, is positioned between traditional luxury and trendier, scene-driven properties—design-forward, social, and typically with strong dining.

Rome is an expensive market, and the EDITION regularly prices well north of $1,000 per night. My Amex Brilliant card (which costs under $800 annually) comes with a free night certificate worth up to 75K Marriott points, so being able to use it here felt like a huge win—especially given the other perks that come with the card.

EDITION properties tend to divide Marriott loyalists. Some love the edgier vibe and minimalist rooms, while others find the lack of traditional elite benefits and classic luxury touches a bit lacking. Matt and I loved the London EDITION, and I’ve had clients rave about Madrid—so we were curious how Rome would stack up.

Pre-Arrival

Our night in Rome capped off two weeks in Paris, Florence, and rural Tuscany. We debated staying closer to FCO airport, but with a late departure the next day, we figured an afternoon in the city was worth it. We hadn’t been to Rome proper in over 10 years, and it felt like a nice way to close out the trip.

The complication: we still had a rental car. Driving in Rome is notoriously difficult, with limited parking options, so I reached out to the hotel concierge. Within minutes, they responded with a simple solution—pull up, leave the car, and for €50 they’d handle everything and have it ready the next morning. Exactly what you want from a five-star hotel. They also proactively offered to assist with dinner reservations and secured us a table at Taverna Trilussa.

Arrival

We pulled up, handed over the keys and luggage, and were immediately guided inside by a very polished (and notably attractive) staff—honestly, across the board. The lobby is classic EDITION: sleek, social, and clearly designed to be a scene in the evening, with a pool table and seamless flow into the bar and Punch Room.

We arrived around 10am and were offered an upgrade due to status, but the room wouldn’t be ready for a few hours. Since we only had one night and planned to be out most of the day, we opted for our original room, which was ready immediately. Being able to shower and reset right away was the right call.

Room

Rooms at The Rome EDITION are very well done—comfortable bed, beautiful wood paneling, and a clean, minimal design with subtle Roman touches like sculptural accents. They’re not huge (it’s Rome), but they feel thoughtfully laid out rather than cramped. Bathrooms are equally polished, with a lovely walk-in shower and a sleek, modern finish that fits the overall understated vibe.

Dining

EDITIONS—especially in Europe—are known for their restaurants, which often double as local hotspots. Think more “scene” than cozy neighborhood trattoria.

After a short walk, we decided to have lunch at the hotel since we were heading out for dinner and were feeling the effects of two weeks of travel. Anima, the hotel’s signature restaurant, is a highlight—especially if you can grab a table on the patio, which feels like a calm, leafy escape from the city’s chaos. The menu leans classic with a modern touch, and the carbonara was excellent—rich, perfectly balanced, and exactly what you want in Rome without feeling overworked or overly precious.

Service

Service was strong across the board. The concierge was especially helpful with parking, and everyone we interacted with was genuinely warm and accommodating. Like most EDITION properties, it’s not overly formal or in-your-face—but when you need something, they deliver quickly (extra ice, more pillows, no issue). The only real miss was the lack of turndown service—at around $1,000 a night, that’s a detail that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Overall

The Rome EDITION checked all the boxes for what we needed: a stylish luxury hotel in a great location to enjoy our final day in Italy. We slept well, enjoyed the beautiful shower, had a fantastic lunch, and appreciated how seamlessly they handled logistics like the car and dinner reservations.

We wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again—especially if we could use a free night.

Who This Hotel Is For

• Travelers who like design-forward, modern luxury over traditional, ornate hotels
• Marriott loyalists looking to maximize a free night or points in an expensive market
• Couples who want a stylish, social atmosphere with a bit of a scene (especially at night)
• People who value great on-site dining without needing to leave the hotel
• Short stays where you want a comfortable, efficient, well-run base in Rome

Who Should Probably Skip It

• Travelers looking for classic Roman luxury (think St. Regis / Waldorf / old-world grandeur)
• Anyone who prioritizes elite benefits and traditional service touches (like guaranteed upgrades, turndown, etc.)
• Those wanting a quiet, intimate, boutique feel—this is more social than serene
• Guests who need large rooms or lots of space (rooms are well-designed, but not big)
• People who want a destination hotel experience—this is more of a stylish base than a resort

Bon Voyage,

Andrew Reiser |Travel Advisor

Website: https://www.foratravel.com/advisor/andrew-reiser

Instagram: @areiser86

Signup for my newsletter: Sign up for my Travel Newsletter – Out And Abroad (out-abroad.com)