Exedra

Hotel description

Though nominally the sister hotel of the bizarre modernist fantasy that is the Aleph, the Exedra could hardly be more different: while the Aleph is a small and insular hipster haven, the Exedra is a large and luxurious business hotel; and while the Aleph strains at the boundaries of cutting-edge design, the Exedra is a sedate and traditional affair behind the facade of a neoclassical arcade on the Piazza della Repubblica.

The contrast with the rest of the Roman hotel scene, however, runs the other way: this is a town of heavy Baroque interiors, of hotels-as-museums, and compared to the competition, the Exedra is positively breezy and contemporary. Here marble bathrooms and tasteful antiques feel fashionably sleek, and the experience is further smoothed by the amenities and service of a five-star international business hotel.

Many rooms have views over the piazza, and some come with private outdoor terraces. Public spaces include a paparazzi-themed brasserie decorated with candid celebrity snaps and a champagne bar with a view of the passing street life, as well as a full-service spa and extensive array of business facilities. Best and most unique of all, though, may be the rooftop pool, a familiar gesture in some cities but still a novelty in Rome, and an experience that’s worth savoring.