The 42-room hotel Chapter Roma, opening in March, is the first location in the newly established Chapter Italia Portfolio developed by Marco Cilia, formerly of Hotel Americano in New York City.
Set in Rome’s vibrant and historic Regola neighbourhood, and part of the Design Hotels collection, Chapter Roma aims to provide accessibility to luxury that is not just the preserve of five-star hotels.
Embodying a true fusion of gritty and glamorous with contemporary and classic, South African-based designer Tristan Du Plessis of Studio A has breathed new life into the building which dates back to 1880.
Chapter Roma’s laidback yet spirited vision in contemporary interiors brings Du Plessis’s signature industrial-chic, sultry style and strong local connection to this ancient city. The guest rooms are centered on a few statement pieces in otherwise minimalistic spaces with clever custom-made vanity-cum-storage solutions.
A Rome native, Cilia has seen the modern-day city change and develop over time. He says: “We are introducing a new vibe for hospitality in Regola with the opening of Chapter Roma.
“I was born here, and it is important that we put our guests in the Italian state of mind; protecting Rome’s design heritage while celebrating the future with genuine and original design, service, and food and beverage offerings.
“With Chapter Roma we’re telling the first part of our story, we want to create a place where guests truly feel like they’re living like a local.”
Contemporary interiors bring industrial-chic and sultry style to Chapter Roma suites
Chapter Roma is on Via di Santa Maria dei Calderari, or the “street of the blacksmiths”, and Du Plessis has paid tribute to this lineage by using a variety of metals throughout the property.
He employs elements of raw steel, brass, copper and bronze, adding an industrial touch to an elegant space with high ceilings, herringbone floors, and mid-century Italian furniture.
Opening on to Via Santa Maria dei Calderari the bar features Roman arches wrapped in raw steel throughout and will be a hybrid space for work, play, and everything in between.
“With Chapter Roma we’re telling the first part of our story, we want to create a place where guests truly feel like they’re living like a local”
Chapter Roma will also feature an all-organic daytime market, delivering a new kind of accessible luxury to the modern in-the-know traveller and, later on in the year, a signature restaurant.
Says Du Plessis: “We wanted to create a design that stood out for its youthfulness whilst still respecting the traditions of the city, by using local craftsmen, materials and aesthetics for a large amount of the hotel and collaborated with young local and international artists as well as furniture and lighting manufacturers to imbed a spirit of rebellion throughout the design.
“The age of the building was both inspiring and challenging, but the old walls and ancient layout made sure that each room has a unique footprint which has lent us the opportunity to create varied and interesting room types.”
