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Hotel de Russie Rome: Inside Rocco Forte’s Historic Luxury Hotel Rocco Forte Hotels has been on my list of stays for some time, so I welcomed the opportunity to experience one of its flagship properties, Hotel de Russie in Rome. I had been curious about this property because of its historic connection with Russian aristocrats and artists who frequented the Eternal City in the 19th century. Over time, Hotel de Russie became a landmark near Piazza del Popolo, hosting an eclectic mix of guests, from painters to politicians. Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau stayed at Hotel de Russie in adjoining rooms in February 1917 while working on Parade, the groundbreaking Ballets Russes production that brought together Cocteau, composer Erik Satie, Picasso and choreographer Léonide Massine. Picasso remained in Rome for about three months, and the hotel now honors his stay with the Picasso Suite. The hotel’s celebrity guest list continued to grow decades later, with George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts among the stars who stayed at the property during the filming of Ocean’s Twelve in Rome in 2004. Leonardo DiCaprio has also been reported as a guest, as has Jennifer Aniston, and British musician Morrissey later spent several weeks at Hotel de Russie while recording his 2005 album Ringleader of the Tormentors in Rome. First Impressions The entrance lobby of the Hotel de Russie features high, white vaulted ceiling arches, classic art busts, glass pendant chandeliers, and a grand central floral display on a round marble table. Moving through this light-filled corridor leads directly into the hotel’s Secret Garden, a tranquil, multi-tiered outdoor courtyard enclosed by soft pastel-pink facades with blue shutters. Anchored by a grand double staircase leading up to lush, elevated terraces of palms and citrus trees, this serene courtyard was one of my favorite spots. It hosts the dining area for Le Jardin de Russie, with intimate tables set for outdoor dining. This is also where I enjoyed my daily breakfast.