Blending Past and Present: Inside Six Senses Rome with Francesca Tozzi

As you step into Six Senses Rome, set within the storied walls of the Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, you find yourself enveloped in an atmosphere where the history of Rome seamlessly blends with the contemporary design of Patricia Urquiola. Located within the UNESCO historic area of Rome and protected by the local municipality, the Palazzo stands as a striking testament to the Eternal City’s architectural magnificence. Every corner of the hotel tells a story, inviting guests to immerse themselves in an authentic Roman experience with a 21st-century interpretation.

With over 20 years working in luxury hospitality from Italy to New York and back, Francesca Tozzi returned to her hometown, Rome, in 2021 in her position as General Manager of Six Senses Rome. The hotel opened in March 2023 and became the first Six Senses urban hotel in Italy. In a conversation with Antognolla Magazine, Francesca describes how classical elements blend in harmony with the contemporary, sustainable design of the hotel.

Francesca says the hotel’s design is deeply rooted in Roman classicism and the city’s history.

“Patricia Urquiola chose materials, colours and details that speak of Rome, its historical heritage, Roman classicism, and the original architecture guided the whole concept. The materials used in the design are representative of the city, starting with Italian local stones such as travertine and cipollino marble.”

Our tour begins in the ground floor lobby of Six Senses Rome. Here, the Italian travertine flooring immediately catches the eye, highlighting a strong link with the city’s original architecture. The reception area is a modern marvel with a glass wall adorned with digital screen printing that pays homage to the frescoes of Villa Livia. This is an ideal spot for anyone who wants to admire how cutting-edge technology can breathe life back into culture and history.

Six Senses Rome

Next, we venture into the spa, a serene sanctuary that artfully incorporates the myth of Apollo and Daphne into the design. In the myth, Eros strikes Apollo with an arrow, and he immediately falls in love with the nymph Daphne. Daphne, however, rejects Apollo. He eventually catches her, but having asked nature for protection, she turns into a laurel, escaping him. Francesca adds: ‘This parallelism with mythology is a poetic reading linked to the theme of well-being and the relationship with nature, especially with water.’

As we move through the rooms and suites, the sustainable design philosophy becomes evident, with walls made with the ancient Roman technique of cocciopesto, using brick powder and natural clays.

“This material was chosen by Patricia Urquiola not only because it is extremely durable but also because it is sustainable, as it is made from brick waste. The floors of the wet area of the spa are made with inserts of cipollino marble chips. This material is obtained by combining larger marble cut-offs with cement and natural oxides. Moreover, travertine, the local stone of Rome, becomes a significant design element throughout all spaces”, Francesca says.

In the bedrooms, the use of travertine in opus incertum blocks reflects a mindful approach to resource utilisation, minimising material waste in line with Six Senses’ strong sustainability values. The interior carpets are made from natural or regenerated wool, the Roman Empire’s fabric of choice.

Our final stop is at the San Marcello Al Corso Church, located right outside the hotel. To preserve Rome’s cultural legacy and support the local community, Six Senses Rome decided

to renovate the façade of the church.

“The San Marcello Al Corso Church is our next-door neighbour, and we are blessed to have such a historical site at our doorstep. Six Senses Rome sponsored the restoration works on the church’s façade in an ongoing effort to support the preservation of Rome’s priceless cultural legacy”, she concludes. The history of the church can be explored through one of the hotel’s cultural experiences.

As the saying goes, when in Rome do as the Romans do. Six Senses Rome did just that, keeping its architectural design sustainable, practical, elegant, and, of course, timeless.