Designer Tomás Alía showcases his talent in Room Mate hotel Rome

Founded in Spain in 2005 by the renowned business entrepreneur Kike Sarasola, Room Mate hotels are designed as “homes” in collaboration with renowned designers including Patricia Urquiola, Lázaro Rosa Violán, Tomás Alía, Lorenzo Castillo, Pascua Ortega and Teresa Sapey, amongst others.

In the summer, the boutique hotel chain opened its Hotel Room Mate in Rome – Room Mate Filippo and Gran Filippo Apartments, its latest project in Italy, where it already has two hotels in Florence and a hotel and apartment building in Milan.

Located 500 metres from the emblematic Spanish Steps and a ten-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain, Hotel Room Mate Filippo and Gran Filippo Apartments are designed by interior designer Tomas Alía, who was inspired by the refined aesthetics of the 1940s.

The new tourist complex includes 30 rooms divided into three categories: superior, deluxe and executive and Gran Filippo Apartments with 11 rooms, terraces and common areas.

Piazza Navona, Bernini, the 17th century, the Fountain of the Four Rivers and, in particular, the Nile and its palm trees are the inspirational elements of Tomás Alía’s latest project for Room Mate Group in Rome.

Housed in a 1940s building, the design of Hotel Room Mate Filippo and Grand Filippo Apartments is a tribute to that moment in history. Its imposing façade stands out with elegant and subtle flat pilasters and striking lighting that creates a chandelier effect throughout the street acting as a magnet to passers-by.

The lobby features a forest of sculptural, three-dimensional palm trees, complete with a dome supported by granite columns. The palm trees are repeated in the lobby and corridors, recreating a hand-painted forest.

The two interior courtyards – the two lungs of the building – are arranged with sienna- and celadon-coloured lattices.

The rest of the common areas are divided into a large meeting room with a library effect and the breakfast room, decorated with modulations in marble, gilded metals and geometric shapes.

The rooms, several of which have terraces, have surprising decorations, all inspired by the refined, well-travelled and cultured aesthetics of the 1940s. Neutral tones, curved and rounded shapes in the form of scales and materials such as metals, wood and smoked mirrors are used.

Kike Sarasola, president and founder of Room Mate Hotels: “Rome is one of my favourite cities in the world and is a destination that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. How nice it is to see our sector reviving again, I was looking forward to inaugurate this new project with a unique offer of hotel and flats, which will allow travelers to decide which option best suits their tastes and needs. Italy has always been a priority market for me. I am very excited about coming to Rome with my friend Tomas Alía”.

Tomas Alía explained: “Designing Hotel Room Mate Filippo and Gran Filippo Apartments is a highlight in my professional career, after 30 years. The complicated part of this project was to arrive in Rome and surprise. Therefore, we have opted for an exquisite, almost museum-like proposal, with unique pieces and palm trees as a poetic and inspirational element”.

ABOUT ROOM MATE HOTELS

Room Mate Hotels boasts 28 hotels – equating to close to 2.000 available rooms – and has a further 10 hotel openings in the pipeline. Its hotels are designed as “homes” for visitors looking for comfort, hospitality and the welcoming spirit that its great team offers its guests.

Its philosophy is based on the idea that the best way of travelling is by visiting friends in different cities, friends with similar lifestyles who can show us what they have learnt and experienced in the city by giving us a guided tour.

READ ANOTHER DESIGN STORY HERE.