Located in the historic heart of Rome, on the exclusive and world-renowned Via Veneto and just a short walk from the stunning park of Villa Borghese, Piazza Barberini, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza di Spagna, Nobu Hotel Roma is the union of two 19th Century buildings combined to create a modern masterpiece that celebrates its grand, historic past. An integrated mix of a luxurious hotel and energized living spaces, Nobu Hotel Roma will house 122 guest rooms and suites, including a 500sqm Nobu Suite, a spectacular green-rooftop terrace, indoor and outdoor meeting space, a full-service city spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, a Nobu Restaurant offering 24-hour in-room dining and an exclusive club lounge for enjoying world-class music. Nobu Hotel and Restaurant Roma will be focused on the guest experience with an eco-friendly and sustainable approach.
Tickets for Sublime with Rome at GSR go on sale Friday, April 14 at 10 a.m. PT and start at $49.50, plus additional taxes and fees. Infinity Rewards members will have access to presale beginning Thursday, April 13 from 10 a.m. PT through 10 p.m. PT. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit grandsierraresort.com or call 1-800-648-3568.
The bronze Boy with a Thorn (1st century BC) is playfully brilliant, while the elaborate marble reliefs in the grand staircase of the victorious Marcus Aurelius show what happened when the empire's greatest sculptors received a generous budget. Most famous of all is the 2nd century AD equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, of which a copy stands on the square outside. It only survived because people had wrongly thought it depicted the pro-Christian Emperor Constantine (pagan monuments were demolished and melted down).
With Raphael, it's always hard to peek beneath the surface glory, to unearth the stuff his subjects are made of. But here, those black eyes of hers reveal the depth of the relationship they might have had. Before leaving, it's worth trying to take in Pietro da Cortona's exuberant fresco in the grand salon, conveying the Barberini family's earthly and celestial powers.
Since 1927, the Hungarian Academy in Rome has been located inside the Falconieri Palace. This grand building lines Via Giulia, named after the Renaissance pope Julius II, who started to overlay Rome's winding medieval streets with long avenues leading to the Vatican. In the 1640s, a wealthy Florentine merchant family, the Falconieri, tasked Borromini to extend their Renaissance palace.
The spatial experience is part of the fun. The vast, palatial halls of the neoclassical building (1911) are bathed in light and sprinkled with avantgarde sculptures. The first room is playfully crowded with paintings the old-school way, then things get airy and sparse. No explanatory wall texts anywhere. It feels like the exhibition was made for promenading through it. This isn't the place for overanalyzing every picture. Let your eyes guide you. And enjoy. It's one of the few galleries in Rome that isn't crowded with people!
Romans: Age Of Caesar is an interesting take on the grand strategy genre as it relies on multiplayer. Players build Rome from nothing, working co-operatively with up to fifteen other players to make it the grand empire that they expect, managing the economy and defending the empire from attacks. The ultimate goal is to become Caesar which can only be achieved by thinking strategically.
Grand Ages: Rome is a grand strategy game with a twist. As opposed to the usual alternate history path that a lot of games in the genre take, this game is based on real history. There is a single-player campaign that offers players fewer choices but still includes a key choice for players to side with either Caesar or Magnus.
Hegemony 3: Clash Of The Ancients is a fantastic grand strategy game set during the battle for the ancient world. Players are not just limited to the Roman Empire in this game, but it is one of many options. The game offers players the chance to chart their own course through history against the backdrop of many of the most well-known empires in history.
The Civilization series is one of the greatest in the grand strategy genre, and it's not hard to see what makes it so special. Civilization 5: Gods And Kings is a brilliant expansion for an already brilliant base game as it offers even more leaders for players to choose from. For players interested in the Roman Empire specifically, there is a Fall Of Rome scenario included, which allows players to play out an alternate history.
The Total War series is another brilliant grand strategy franchise, and Total War: Rome 2 is a shining moment within that. The campaign spans 300 years at its core, with the option for players to continue on afterward. With more than 500 land units available in-game, and 30 city variants, the game never feels repetitive. Rather, new scenarios will unfold, and new battles will be lost and won. Players are likely to get lost in the world of the game.
Civilization 6 is the best grand strategy game available for players seeking the Roman Empire in their gameplay. Players can choose Rome as their civilization, choosing from either Julius Caesar or Trajan to lead. The Rome civilization offers an easy in road to the game's many conclusions, as they have a lot of traits which are a real help to both new players and veterans alike. For players who love the core Civilization formula of expansion, Rome is the civilization to go for.
The neoclassical lobby is rich in marble monuments, grand lighting and fresh flowers. A domed skylight gives the classical room a light, airy feel. There's a large seating area with international newspapers. Reception is fully staffed to help out around the clock with any needs.
The grand hall is a breathtaking sight, both for guests visiting the hotel for the first time, and for those who visit frequently. A fitness area with cardio-fitness equipment is exclusively available for guest use.
Located on Rome's Via Veneto opposite the American Embassy, this luxury hotel dates back to the 1920s. With free WiFi throughout, this property offers rooms with designer furnishings, an à la carte restaurant, and a free spa. Villa Borghese is 400 metres away.
All air conditioned, rooms at the Grand Hotel Palace include an LCD satellite TV and a minibar. The marble bathroom includes VIP toiletries.
Guests can enjoy fine Italian cuisine at the Cadorin Restaurant. Breakfast is an extensive American buffet with sweet and savoury options.
After a day out, guests can unwind at the wellness centre which includes a sauna and a hot tub. Massages can be reserved, and a fitness centre is also available.
The building, designed by Marcello Piacentini, was stylishly restored by Italo Rota. The Cadorin grand hall, and the ultra-modern business lounge with bar, are ideal for relaxation.
The hotel is 5 minutes' walk from Piazza Barberini and Barberini Metro Station, on line A. The Spanish Steps are a 10-minute walk away.