Words by Holly Swayne

SLEEP: CASACAU

Rome Cascaupinterest
One of the six apartment-style rooms at Casacau, Rome

With its six apartment-style rooms and no real lobby to speak of, Casacau feels less like a hotel and more a 'home away from home'. That is, if your home was decked out with impeccable antique furniture, a mini sauna, iPads and an art deco kitchenette. Extra plus points? Pastries from the local market that arrive on your doorstep every morning and the option to bring in a chef from the owner's Michelin-starred restaurant if you can't face cooking. Location-wise you couldn't do better: Casacau backs onto Rome's iconically romantic Trevi Fountain, so prepare to watch the marriage proposals unfold outside your window.

Casacau, Via in Arcione 94, Rome, Italy, +39 06 6929 0159

DRINK: G-ROUGH

Five of the best Rome Hotspots- G-Rough Barpinterest
G-Rough bar

At some point, the need to escape Rome's throngs of selfie stick-wielding tourists is inevitable. Enter G-Rough, a tiny hotel bar found just off the main drag by Piazza Navona. Behind its unmarked door, you'll be greeted by gold mirrored walls, mid-century leather furniture and a sea of tropical plants, making it an irresistible location for a restorative Aperol Spritz. G-Rough also has 10 guest suites - each one a lesson in hi-lo luxury, mixing stripped-back walls, mosaic tiled floors and 17th century architecture to great effect. Guests can also rely on an appointed 'lifestyle butler': a culturally savvy guide at your disposal to help you discover the 'Rome of Romans'.  

G-Rough, Piazza di Pasquino, 69, 00186 Rome, Italy, +39 06 6880 1085

LUNCH: EMMA

Emma Pizzeria, Romepinterest

A new addition to the centro district, this cool pizzeria is packed out by 7pm, and you're unlikely to hear many English voices among the locals old and young. The scrocchiarella pizzas (with thin, crispy crusts) are made in a wood-burning oven and come with toppings sourced from Rome's foodie-approved deli counter at Salumeria Roscioli restaurant. Go for the outdoor seating in summer, a good call to escape the heat of the pizza oven.

Emma, Via del Monte della Farina, 28, 00186 Rome, Italy, +39 06 6476 0475

SHOP: MY CUP OF TEA

My Cup of Tea, Romepinterest
My Cup of Tea, Rome

Rome is better known for its Guccis and Louis Vuittons than any up-and-coming fashion designers, but one store championing new talent is My Cup Of Tea. Dubbed a 'shop-meets-gallery', this boutique showcases contemporary designers every month, with curated edits spanning fashion, jewellery, millinery and art. Previous pop-ups have included the structured tailoring and graphic prints of young designer Anna Sammarone (pictured), as well as handcrafted jewellery by local husband-and-wife duo, Biondo. Plus, you can actually get a good cup of tea in the shop's cosy living room setting. Lovely.

My Cup Of Tea, Via del Babuino, 65, 00187 Rome

DINE: AROMA 

Aroma, Palazzo Fedi, Romepinterest
Aroma, Palazzo Fedi

What makes the mighty facade of the Colosseum all the more impressive? Viewing it atop a fifth storey garden terrace, eating a dinner of gnocchetti with black truffle, Japanese-imported wagyu steak and ravioli with chicory flower pesto. This is the menu at Palazzo Manfredi hotel's Aroma restaurant, one that just earned a Michelin star thanks to the arrival of its new London-trained chef Giuseppe Di Lorio. Not willing to fork out for the five-course dinner? The view from the hotel's rooftop is just as spectacular, with a cocktail bar serving expertly mixed martinis.

Aroma Restaurant, Palazzo Manfredi, Via Labicana, 125, 00184 Rome, +39 06 7759 1380