Enjoying Roman Otium at Casa Naman
Above the Spanish Steps, a restored palazzo redefines the art of staying at the very centre of the Eternal City
In a layered metropolis like Rome, defining the city’s centre is no simple task. So how does one choose to stay “in the heart of it all?” Casa Naman is a compelling answer.
The ancient Aurelian Walls trace a perimeter around the city, yet within them lie many equally central focal points. One of these is Piazza di Spagna, with the iconic staircase of Trinità dei Monti, known worldwide as the Spanish Steps. Right beside it stands a carefully restored 18th-century palazzo just four stories tall. On the ground floor sits Babington’s, Italy’s first tearoom, founded in 1893 by Anna Maria Babington and Isabel Cargill. The upper floors, accessed from number 23, are home to Casa Naman, one of Rome’s most recent additions to the luxury hospitality scene.
We were fortunate enough to spend a night in the Janus apartment—one of three offerings alongside Aeneas and Vesta. Several things set this place apart. First and foremost, the views: moving through the rooms, every window frames a remarkable scene. From the living room, the Barcaccia fountain and the boutiques of Via Condotti; from the kitchen, the Steps alive with visitors throughout the day; from the bedroom, the magnificent Basilica of Trinità dei Monti. Even the bathroom commands a sweeping view of the staircase. All of this is amplified by furnishings and mirrors placed throughout the walls, the result of meticulous work by Filippo Fiora and Federico Sigali of Milan-based studio 13.1 Architecture & Decor.
Across all apartments, the spaces feel generous and unhurried. The warm, luminous palette of the interiors evokes a private luxury residence far more than a hotel. Contemporary materials like aluminum and mirror are tempered by marbles and quiet nods to Roman antiquity, creating an effect that feels both refined and lived-in. The bed is supremely comfortable, while curtains and rugs absorb the sounds of the room. Equally noteworthy is the acoustic insulation of the windows: despite the location in one of Rome’s most frequented spots, the city noise remains firmly outside.
At Casa Naman, wellness follows a Roman ideal: otium—the art of dedicating time to oneself, to contemplation and to the pleasure of beauty. Crowning the residence, the private rooftop altana unfolds as a 360-degree stage above the Eternal City, seen from a vantage point that feels both intimate and monumental. A space conceived for sunrise yoga, sunset meditation or small private dinners provides a rare view. Below, the sauna and hammam offer privacy alongside a stunning outlook over the Steps and the Basilica.
Night is the most magical hour. The windows can be thrown open, one can rest on the balcony taking in the illuminated monuments, lulled by the sound of a sleeping city and the ponentino—the gentle evening breeze that caresses Rome each night— making even the warmest seasons feel comfortable. And there is no doubt about it: we are doing all of this at the very heart of Rome’s city centre.
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