Hotel Capo d’ Africa
Rome, Italy
Featuring a cosmopolitan contemporary classic look, in keeping with the lifestyle of international travelers who delight in understated, unostentatious luxury, the Hotel Capo d’Africa is housed in a graceful early 20th-century building. In addition to 64 double rooms, the hotel offers an exclusive studio suite with a large terrace overlooking the apse of the church of SS. Quattro Coronati. The breakfast room is situated on the roof and provides a magnificent view of the Colosseum and nearby monuments. The overall effect, underscored by the brightly colored paintings of contemporary artists, is light, radiant and relaxed. The hotel also provides three meeting rooms and a well-equipped gym with numerous machines.
The Hotel Capo d’Africa is located in the Celio district, now referred to by many as "the Village" due to its incredible cultural vitality and the typically joyous Roman atmosphere that pervades the characteristic streets. The hotel’s name derives from a personified image of Rome’s African provinces that adorned the street, known as Caput Africae, in ancient times. This area was also the location of important buildings providing services for the events held in the arena (Armamentaria, Saniarum, Spoliarum and Ludus Matutinus), some barracks built in the second century AD (two for the equites singulares, the Emperor’s mounted guard, and one for special detachments of provincial troops), and the headquarters of the 5th cohort of Vigiles. It was presumably inhabited by a nucleus of Roman citizens from the African provinces, having arrived in Rome along the route taken by General Maximus in the film The Gladiator.
The location is remarkable, just a few steps away from the Colosseum, one of the most majestic monuments of the past, symbol of the Eternal City, and scene of mortal combat between gladiators and wild animals. The name of the district dates all the way back to the legendary Etruscan hero Celio Vibenna. This was one of the most fashionable residential areas for the Roman aristocracy in the imperial age, and the magnificent remains of the Baths of Caracalla and Nero’s Golden House still afford glimpses of its past splendor. When the archeological area was created at the beginning of the last century, the district became a delightful expanse of greenery situated between the center of Old Rome and the Appian Way, including the park of Villa Celimontana, gardens, ancient churches, and Roman remains.
BARS AND RESTAURANTS
The district’s cafés, pubs, tearooms and restaurants are quickly rising to the top of the Roman popularity charts. The Divinare wine bar at Via Ostilia 4, for example, is a French-style establishment serving a vast selection of top-quality wines together with sophisticated cold dishes and a careful selection of cheeses, salami and pralines. The splendid coffee comes from an antique machine still in excellent working order. Café Café at Via S.S.Quattro 44 is open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. and offers typical Mediterranean dishes, Spanish and Greek above all, grilled cheese, salads, and a fine selection of wines. Afternoon tea is served with a choice of 60 different types. The setting is rustic with sunny yellows and blues.
Art lovers can visit the new Galleria Arte & Pensieri in Via S.Giovanni in Laterano, operated by the cultural association I Diagonali, which periodically organizes shows for up-and-coming artists as well as exhibitions of work by established figures such as Turcato, Vedova, Perilli, Pace, Accardi and Uncini.
Those who revel in the colonial atmosphere will love Agadez in Via S.Giovanni in Laterano, an "ethnic-chic" shop with furnishing and objects from Niger that combines African jewelry with the spirituality of feng-shui. Half pub and half tearoom, La Mosca Bianca at Via Capo d’Africa 30/a has always been a meeting point for young people. Its bill of fare now includes a long list of teas from India and China.
The district’s gastronomic panorama includes addresses for all tastes and requirements. Delicious food but also fashion, starting with The Crab at Via Capo d’Africa 2, renowned for its seafood specialties, especially crustaceans and shellfish direct from Brittany. You must sample the Catalan-style lobster, platter of fresh shellfish, and steamed crustaceans.
Perennial favorites include the Taverna dei Quaranta in Via Annia, Il Bocconcino, Ai Tre Scalini in Via SS. Quattro, the Antica Hosteria in Via Giovanni in Laterano, and the pizzeria Li Rioni in Via dei Querceti, mainly Roman eateries with typical regional specialties enhanced by the characteristic local taste.
Two truly singular addresses to end with: the brand new Colosseum Party at Via dei SS. Quattro 34/35, eccentric, over the top, totally kitsch, with a folkloristic floorshow including gladiators, belly dancers and fire-eaters, and Magna Roma at Via Capo d’Africa 26, featuring Roman dishes in an ancient Roman setting complete with a triclinium of wooden benches to recline on while eating.
But the Celio leads a double life. By night it is the village atmosphere that emerges with bright lights, animated bustle and music, but by day the historical aspects take over with tourists in search of the many treasures this locale has to offer.
The Colosseum, where the emperor and the wealthiest citizens presented spectacles of mortal combat involving gladiators and wild animals, is Rome’s greatest amphitheater. The architecture was very elegant but also extremely practical. Eighty arched entrances provided easy access for 55,000 spectators, who were protected from the sun by an enormous awning. Stone stripped from the facing was used during the Renaissance to build palaces, bridges and parts of St. Peter’s.
Hotel Capo d’Africa L’Attico Bistrot , hours are from 7.30 pm to 11.00 pm, Monday to Saturday.
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Double Room
Deluxe Room
Triple Room
*Rates Include VAT, Service and American Buffet Breakfast.
Client Comments
"People are great, hotel is wonderful, quiet area without the madness of the Spanish Steps."