A Four Seasons Hotel Is Coming to . . . Vatican City?

Visiting the Holy See is about to become much more luxurious. The esteemed Four Seasons hotel group is set to establish itself in a 15th-century palazzo that borders Vatican City, an independent city-state in Rome that serves as the center of the Roman Catholic Church.

Finding modern accommodations of this quality so near the Vatican is quite uncommon. This will be the first Four Seasons in Rome, with another one planned by the same developer, Miami's Fort Partners, at the 17th-century Palazzo Marini near the Spanish Steps, which is expected to open in 2026. Although we'll have to wait until 2025 to check in at the new Four Seasons at the Vatican, here's what you should know for now.

The hotel will officially be named Palazzo della Rovere, a Four Seasons Hotel

The historic building that will host the Four Seasons is known as Palazzo della Rovere, originally the residence of Domenico della Rovere, a prominent cardinal from Italy’s Piedmont region during the Renaissance. Today, it is owned by the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a lay institution under the protection of the Holy See that dates back to 1336 and has around 30,000 members across nearly 40 countries. Fort Partners has entered into a 30-year lease with the order and has partnered with Four Seasons to operate the hotel.

“For many years, I’ve dreamed of working on a project in Rome,” said Nadim Ashi, founder and CEO of Fort Partners, in an interview with Dinogo. “As a Catholic, I've visited the Vatican over 10 times. About five years ago, while scouting locations in Rome for another Four Seasons, I discovered that the Order was keen on restoring a hotel to the Palazzo della Rovere.”

The hotel is just a three-minute stroll from St. Peter’s Basilica.

Located at Palazzo della Rovere on 33 Via della Conciliazione, the hotel is technically in the city of Rome. However, it’s only a stone’s throw away from Vatican City, offering stunning views of St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world. Plans include a restaurant set in a spacious courtyard shaded by trees, making it easy to envision dining al fresco on a sunny spring or fall day in Rome, accompanied by the sound of ringing basilica bells.

Notable original features of the property include a turret and beautiful frescoes on the main floor by Pinturicchio, an early Renaissance artist. His artwork is also displayed in six rooms of the Borgia Apartments within the Vatican, and the building’s architecture draws inspiration from Rome’s Palazzo Venezia, located near Capitoline Hill.

Staying here promises to be a deep dive into the Italian Renaissance era.

The renovation will also serve as a restoration project for the deteriorating structure that formerly housed the humble Hotel Columbus, which closed its doors in 2018. Fort Partners is covering the $58 million renovation cost, enabling the order to continue allocating its member contributions to the Holy Land. The restoration will focus on the property's most historic features, including the damaged frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries.

The project is spearheaded by Italian architect Fabrizio Casiraghi, known for his work on stores for the Kenzo fashion brand and the acclaimed Drouant restaurant in Paris, where he is currently based. “Understanding the historical significance of this 15th-century building, we have enlisted the expertise of renowned architect Fabrizio Casiraghi to ensure that we honor the site's heritage while enhancing its beauty and preserving its unique character,” Ashi stated.

The hotel is set to open in 2025, aligning with the upcoming Catholic Jubilee.

The next Holy Year for the forgiveness of sins is scheduled for 2025, an event that occurs every 25 years and attracted 25 million pilgrims to Vatican City in 2000. The hotel aims to launch just in time for this occasion. According to the order, the hospitality style at Palazzo della Rovere will reflect its neighboring environment with a calm and monastic ambiance. Fort Partners has confirmed that the hotel will feature around 55 to 60 guest rooms, enhancing the peaceful atmosphere. If this project resembles the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze—a stunningly restored palazzo and convent from the 15th and 16th centuries in Florence—this hotel is likely to become one of the city’s most desirable new retreats.

Planning a visit to the Eternal City before 2025? Discover Dinogo’s hotel guide to Rome for your upcoming trip.