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Story
A Hundred Years of Stories
Legendary hotel inspiring artists since 1925
"Lei sa cos’è il blocco dello scrittore?
Sono venuto qui perché non riesco più a scrivere."
- Alain Elkann, from the book “Hotel Locarno” (2011)
The Birth of an Icon
Since 1925, Hotel Locarno has been a symbol of history and creativity. Founded by Swiss visionaries, it became a timeless refuge, enduring even the hardships of World War II, when it was occupied first by Nazi forces and later by American soldiers.
After the war, it flourished as a gathering place for Hollywood stars, Italian filmmakers, and artists. Its timeless elegance inspired Anselmo Ballester’s 1925 opening poster, which still graces its walls—a tribute to the hotel’s cinematic legacy and enduring allure.
Maria Teresa Celli’s Vision
In the 1970s, Maria Teresa Celli, a visionary decorator, breathed new life into what would become the legendary Hotel Locarno. Drawn to the faded grandeur of a half-floor for sale, she began a bold journey of acquiring the building piece by piece.
Once a Nazi base and later an Allied outpost, the hotel had fallen into ruin. With her refined taste and boundless determination, Maria Teresa restored its 1920s splendor, transforming decay into timeless elegance. Under her care, it became a legendary sanctuary for luminaries like Fellini, Morante, and Kerouac, who found in its unique ambiance a wellspring of creativity.
Today, Hotel Locarno stands as a testament to her vision, where creativity thrives and history whispers through every corner. Maria Teresa’s influence made the Locarno not just a hotel but a living masterpiece.
"My mother was a visionary, a woman of impeccable taste who saw potential where others saw the ordinary, crafting timeless elegance with every step."
– Caterina Valente, Owner of Hotel Locarno
CATERINA VALENTE
The Heart and Soul of Hotel Locarno
Raised within the storied walls of Hotel Locarno, Caterina inherited her mother’s profound love for art, design, and timeless elegance. Today, as the devoted custodian of this iconic property, she leads with grace and vision, preserving its legendary charm while fostering a sanctuary where individuality, connection, and creativity thrive.
With meticulous care, Caterina curates a team that shares her passion for art, history, and literature, ensuring that every guest becomes part of the hotel’s rich and ever-evolving story.
For Caterina, the Locarno is more than a hotel—it is a place where stories are written, art is born, and memories are made, all brought to life through her unique vision and dedication.
A Timeless Muse in the Eternal City
Just steps from Piazza del Popolo, Hotel Locarno has been a source of artistic inspiration for decades. Outside, the vibrant energy of the Eternal City meets the timeless charm of its historic setting. Inside, its Art Nouveau interiors have welcomed generations of artists and thinkers, fostering a unique atmosphere where ideas and creativity have flourished.
During the golden glow of the 1960s Dolce Vita, the hotel became an iconic gathering place for Rome’s creative elite. Federico Fellini, a master of cinematic storytelling, drew inspiration from the vibrant yet timeless surroundings that echoed the spirit of his films. Wes Anderson, too, was captivated by these storied walls, penning his vision for The Grand Budapest Hotel in Room 605. This illustrious legacy includes luminaries such as Orson Welles, Isabella Rossellini, Marcello Mastroianni, Willem Dafoe, John Malkovich, and many more, all drawn to the hotel’s enduring charm and its unique role as a muse for the arts.
“For me the Locarno is my ‘home away from home’, as they say in America.”
– Isabella Rossellini, as quoted in an interview with Glenn Belverio, A Shaded View on Fashion (2014)
LEGENDS, LUGGAGE, AND LOCARNO
Hotel Locarno is a living chapter of Roman culture — vibrant, storied, and ever-evolving.
Within its walls, remarkable tales have come to life: from Alain Elkann’s literary homage to Bernard Weber’s cinematic tribute, and countless encounters and performances that still echo in the atmosphere.
Every corner holds a memory, every detail a spark of inspiration. Artists, writers, and travelers have left their mark, weaving their stories into the fabric of a place that renews itself without ever losing its soul.
Today, Hotel Locarno is a creative sanctuary — a living canvas where art, beauty, and inspiration are forever in motion, set against the timeless backdrop of Rome.
“For me the Hotel Locarno is and will always be my Steinway grand piano. It will never get out of tune in spite of several ‘sonatas and fugues’ with many artists who stayed here, with whom I had great complicity.”
– Pio Monti, from the book “Still Roma: Hotel Locarno with View” (2014)
- Hotel Locarno
- Via della Penna 22 — 00186 Roma
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- Phone: +39 06 3610841
- Fax: +39 06 3215249
- P.IVA / CF: 12161331009 - CIR: 058091-ALB-00885 - CIN: IT058091A1NDWJOOIX
- GDS codes: Sabre YX 86584 - Amadeus YX ROMHLC - Apollo/Galileo YX 18336 - Worldspan YX 10614 - Pegasus GL 25659
