2025 Vatican Jubilee – Leonardo Hotels are making a mark in Rome

A visit to Rome nowadays is definitely a challenge. The eternal city is simply packed with tourists. In the past the fall shoulder season was typically offering cooler weather, fewer crowds, and lower flight prices than the busy summer months. The reality is different. Ques to the Coliseum and the Vatican city are enormous. These sites are unfortunately turned into selfie-taking arenas and are crowded, costly and utterly devoid of charm. They are cheapened in the age of mass tourism and major groups. The days I entered those two colossal attractions spontaneously with no pre-booking or standing in lines are long gone.

Israelis just love visiting Rome by the numbers and they are seen everywhere. “Most Israelis have visited Rome before and they are interested in new attractions”, says  Natan Hamawi, a Jerusalem born entrepreneur who runs rewarding gastronomy walking tours in the historical areas under the “Rome’s Roads” name. “Gastronomy became a major factor to the Israeli tourists and the combination with the history of the Jews and the Romans, together with the relatively short flight, are main reasons for the significant frequent re-visits”, he says. A 5 hour walking tour under his guidance proved to be an unforgettable experience. We met him by the Spanish Steps. Together we enjoyed Giuliano Pompi’s famous and inimitable dessert, the ‘home Tiramisu’. In ‘Grano’ we learned about cold and hot Pizzas – the toppings are added later. Just a 5 minute walk from the Trevi fountain, and we are in  ‘Maccheroni’, where Rome’s movers and shakers come for big bowls of handmade pasta. We didn’t miss the ultimate time travel at  ‘Antico Caffè Greco’, a historic landmark cafe which opened in 1760 – the oldest bar in Rome, off the Spanish Steps. Finally we learned about the production process of the Italian Gelato in ‘Fatamorgana’, including tasting. An evening to cherish.

55 year old Hagay Saar from Kfar Saba has lived in Rome for the last 26 years and he conducts tours to Israelis under his  “Unique Rome” brand in comfortable electric club carts, in addition to walking tours. “The tour buses phenomenon is history. With the evolving technology Israelies prefer focused tours on different topics”, he says when he drives his golf cart in the bumpy streets and takes us to observation points of the city that I didn’t know existed. How many are familiar with the rose garden, built on a hill overlooking the city, where the Jewish cemetery used to be? The view from the ‘Orange Garden’ is breathtaking. We couldn’t tell which view was more spectacular. The one from ‘Janiculum Hill’ at 12 noon, when the canon signals the bells in Rome to ring is exceptional. Saar’s tour was just remarkable.

Ques to the Coliseum and are enormous (photo by Motti Verses)

‘Maccheroni’, where Rome’s movers and shakers come for big bowls of handmade pasta (photo by Motti Verses)

Cold Pizzas at ‘Grano’- the toppings are added later (photo by Motti Verses)

Antico Caffè Greco, a historic landmark café which opened in 1760 – the oldest bar in Rome, off the Spanish Steps (photo by Motti Verses)

12 noon on ‘Janiculum Hill’, the canon signals the bells in Rome to ring (photo by Motti Verses)

The hospitality industry in Rome is excited towards the Year of Jubilee, a festivity traditionally held every quarter. The Israeli based Fattal/Leonardo brand has already made a significant move into the city. Minutes away from the central train station, the first company’s hotel was inaugurated 3 years ago. Leonardo Boutique Hotel Rome Termini  is elegant, modern and offers a tranquil and relaxing experience. The location is king and this boutique accommodation is definitely a cool place that embodies Italy’s renowned fashion heritage and contemporary design. Gleaming glass, light wood, striking lighting and elegant chic atmosphere. There are 81 rooms in this Leonardo and they are comfortable with a good sleeping quality.

The central location of the hotel is ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy Rome’s wonders and its many fascinating attractions, some of which are right next to the hotel. Staying in this Leonardo guarantees also a pampering breakfast. The hotel also offers a fun jacuzzi on the roof terrace, a gym, a cozy lobby, a cool bar and 24-hour security. A delightful and enjoyable place.

Veteran experienced hotelier, Rafi Carmon is the Country General Manager Leonardo /Fattal Hotels Group Italy, France, Hungary. He reveals the brand’s significant developments in Rome while he takes me to the ‘Master Trevi’ inauguration ceremony within walking distance to the famous Fountain. A prime location. This is a 6 years old promising product of apartment hotels by the Fattal Group in Europe and Israel, managed by 34 years old Yuval Fattal, the founder. “By the end of the year we will operate a dozen Master apartments projects that includes 400 units and aimed mainly to families”, he says trying to find time to talk to us during the busy festive reception. Rome’s 27 apartments project is impressive and contains a digital entrance and service, located in a private beautiful garden. The entrance from the busy pedestrian noisy street loaded with Trattorias and Osterias is almost unnoticeable. Once inside, a feeling of relaxed Tuscany atmosphere surprises guests.

The location is king and this boutique accommodation is definitely a cool place that embodies Italy’s renowned fashion heritage and contemporary design (photo by Motti Verses)

Gleaming glass, light wood, striking lighting and elegant chic atmosphere (photo by Motti Verses)

There are 81 rooms in this Leonardo and they are comfortable with a good sleeping quality (photo by Motti Verses)

Rome’s 27 apartments project of ‘Master Trevi’ is impressive – the wide terrace of one of the apartments (photo by Motti Verses)

The future 320 room NYX Rome,with an investment of 100 million Euro, looks stunning in the architect rendering (photo by Neudahm Hotel Interior Design GmbH and Leonardo Hotels )

The waterless Trevi Fountain, one of its busiest monuments is under restoration (photo by Motti Verses)

Parts of the restoration works is of Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore are covered by a temporary advertisement billboard (photo by Motti Verses)

The Vatican expects up to 32 million tourists to descend on the Italian capital for the Jubilee (photo by Motti Verses)

Swiss Guards, responsible for the safety of the pope, will work extra hours in 2025 (photo by Motti Verses)

With Rafi Carmon, the Country General Manager Leonardo /Fattal Hotels Group Italy, France, Hungary: “The 2025 Jubilee will have a similar effect to the Olympics” (photo by Motti Verses)

Once Pope Francis officially declared this spring that 2025 will be a Year of Jubilee, Rome pressed the frenzy botton. With the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve 2024, the city undergoes a monumental facelift ahead of the celebrations. But taking advantage of the event, Rome has pooled billions of Euros of state and European funds to overhaul tourist sites, transport hubs, parks and streets. In addition to the heavy crowds, visiting Rome nowadays is like entering a huge construction site. The Vatican expects up to 32 million tourists to descend on the Italian capital for the Jubilee.

“The 2025 Jubilee will have a similar effect to the Olympics that put Paris strongly on the map and will certainly contribute to a tourism boom here”, says Carmon. “We are all set with a new additional 80 rooms boutique hotel and a restaurant in the Monti area, not far from the Colosseum to be open shortly. In July we will inaugurate our Rome flagship hotel, the 320 room NYX with an investment of 100 million Euro by the attractive Piazza del Popolo”, he reveals.

No doubt that mass pilgrims visiting Rome are not potential customers of the Fattal-Leonardo Brand. But Carmon and his colleagues are well aware of the opportunities in this never ending city in 2025. They are not the only ones. Brands that never showed presence in the capital are already there. Bulgari, Six Senses and Anantara are the most familiar. ‘All roads lead to Rome’ is a proverb of medieval origin. It is certainly even more relevant nowadays.