The Eternal City’s revitalised gallery-hotel showcases enhanced creative flow and 200 new contemporary artworks following three-month rejuvenation by Studio Marincola.
Boutique five-star hotel, The Pavilions Rome, The First Arte has reopened following an extensive refurbishment by Studio Marincola. From the lobby and corner bar to the rooms and suites, key elements of the hotel’s refined offering have been refreshed and reimagined. 200 new pieces of contemporary art serve as the focus of the design, immersing guests in the rich creative flow of Rome and weaving a recurring thematic thread throughout the interior design concept. This latest rejuvenation follows the renovation of the hotel’s restaurants, including the two Michelin-star Acquolina, in 2023.
Presenting sophisticated hospitality concepts that combine dynamic experiences and superior guest journeys with artistic flow, the 29-bedroom property has been comprehensively rejuvenated, elevating its elegance and style while remaining true to the hotel’s original concept: to be a destination that blends the Eternal City’s enduring legacy of creativity with impeccable service and exquisite cuisine.
As with the previous architectural and design process, the renovation of the hotel space was entrusted to the astute hands of architect Antonio Marincola and his expert team, who have meticulously and sympathetically recrafted the hotel’s communal areas and bedrooms to meet the needs of contemporary travellers.
Antonio Marincola comments, “The First Arte has the honour of being housed in a building that dates back to the 19th century, and which retains the traditional structure and features of the original palazzo, including its mezzanine, piano nobile and two residential levels. During its original transformation into a hotel, the building maintained the different heights of the floors, creating a hierarchy among the various rooms, with the suites and larger rooms on the piano nobile or principal floor. It was vital to us that we continued to preserve these original characteristics.”
“The First Arte’s latest renovation has seen the transformation of environments into sophisticated spaces through the use of uniform tones, which are dominated by the presence of chromatic contrasts and natural materials.”
The hotel’s new guestrooms feature boiserie-style, cream-coloured walls, which work in harmony with new natural oak floors to create a metropolitan sanctuary, while indirect, delicate lighting emphasises the sense of privacy and intimacy.
Levanto red marble tables, Canaletto walnut containers and large rugs featuring contrasting geometric patterns evoke the elegance and warmth of a welcoming private home. Vibrant hues dominate the paintings that adorn the walls as well as the upholstery, contrasting with the subtle tones of the interiors and paying tribute to the chromatic choices of the previous design.
The noble, luxurious feel transcends through into the newly restored bathrooms, where Emperor marble floors and features remain prominent.
Staying true to The First Arte’s living art gallery concept, large-scale contemporary art installations embellish public areas, whilst smaller pieces adorn the suites and rooms, creating intimate moments for private artistic contemplation.
The hotel’s creative journey begins on the ground floor with connected common spaces that enable visitors to move freely amongst the exhibited works. On arrival, guests are still greeted by Giovanni Albanese’s sculptural masterpiece, a cow named ‘Call Centre’, before the lobby opens up into a central space that now features Teodosio Magnoni’s grand installation ‘Corpo Lungo’ at its heart.
Located at the end of the lobby, the renewed corner bar embodies the spirit of the hotel’s restyling, with burnished brass counters, marble wainscoting and boiserie providing an elegant and convivial environment for creative expression.
Continuing the expressive flow, 200 new artworks will be presented throughout the rest of the hotel, with each floor becoming a dedicated showcase for individual artists including Giusy Lauriola, Angelica Romeo and Licia Galizia.
Ascending to the hotel’s highest point, guests will find the rooftop garden and Acquaroof restaurant, which offers stunning 360° views encompassing many of Rome’s most famous monuments and locations, from Trinità dei Monti to Villa Medici, the Altare della Patria, and the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. Refreshed in 2023, as part of the initial phase of renovations, Acquaroof encompasses warm and neutral tones that reflect the architecture of the city.
Together with The First Musica and The First Dolce, The First Arte completes The First Roma by The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts, a unique deconstructed urban resort experience that takes guests on a sensational journey of sights, tastes and sounds, blending la dolce vita with contemporary Roman culture.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
