The First Musica, Rome: A Five-Star Overture on the Tiber
Rome, eternal and ever-evolving, has always known how to embrace beauty. But The First Musica doesn’t just embrace it—it scores it. Nestled on the quiet, tree-lined Lungotevere dei Mellini in the upscale Prati district, this boutique hotel is a five-star hymn to the universal language of music.
Where Sound Becomes Space
Opened as part of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts collection, The First Musica offers an intimate yet impactful hospitality concept: just 24 rooms, each a visual sonata, a tribute to legendary musical artists, and a space where timeless notes meet contemporary rhythm.
From Bach to Bowie, from soul to synth, this is not simply a place to sleep—it’s a living, breathing playlist curated in marble, brass, and velvet. Whether you're here for la dolce vita or simply to rediscover Rome in a new key, The First Musica orchestrates a stay that feels more like a private concert—with the city as your stage.
The Hotel: Notes in Design, Harmonies in Atmosphere
Step inside and you immediately understand: this isn’t your grandfather’s Roman palace. The First Musica hits a different tone. Designed by Studio Marincola, every corner hums with energy—warm lighting, floor-to-ceiling windows, natural materials in rich tones of beige, brass, and ivory. And yet, the mood remains elegantly serene, like the lingering hush after the final chord of a great ballad.
Each floor pays homage to different eras of music history, turning corridors into curated galleries. Wall art riffs on album covers and iconic portraits, while common areas pulse subtly with curated soundtracks—sometimes jazz, sometimes a moody ambient track, never intrusive, always just right.
Technology plays its part without taking center stage: Bang & Olufsen sound systems, keyless room access, lightning-fast Wi-Fi. But beyond the gear and glamour, the soul of The First Musica is artistic, youthful, a little rebellious. A hotel that understands luxury isn’t about being quiet—it’s about hitting the right note.
The First Musica: Where Every Room Has a Soundtrack
In a city where silence never really falls and history hums beneath every cobblestone, The First Musica introduces a new kind of luxury: one you can hear.
This is not just a five-star hotel—it’s a living tribute to the greatest voices of music history. Each of its 24 rooms is infused with the soul of a musical icon. Some belong to international legends like David Bowie, Lady Gaga, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, or Michael Jackson. Others echo the unmistakable Italian sound of Lucio Dalla, Mina, Lucio Battisti, or Laura Pausini. But these are only the opening chords in a playlist that continues to expand.
Upon entering your room, you'll find a vinyl record displayed as both artwork and invitation. Scan the QR code on the sleeve, and you’re immersed in a curated playlist that plays through the room’s sound system—a seamless blend of vintage ritual and modern technology. It’s an experience designed not only to elevate your stay, but to surround it with meaning.
Music, here, is more than atmosphere—it’s identity. It’s storytelling. It’s the soul of the hotel, and of every room within it.
Prestige Rooms & Prestige View: The Elegant Prelude
Ranging from 22 to 28 square meters, the Prestige Rooms offer a quiet counterpoint to the vibrant rhythm of Rome outside. Clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, and warm brass accents set the tone. The palette—creamy whites, soft beige, and golden tones—creates a serene canvas against which the personality of each musical artist can resonate.
Every detail is designed for immersive comfort: a king-size bed dressed in Loro Piana fabrics, a curated mural that nods to the artist-in-residence, and a marble-clad bathroom with a rain shower. The Prestige View category adds the magic of the Tiber—sparkling, silent, and cinematic right outside your window.
And of course, the music: vinyl on the table, playlist in the air, and the invisible presence of an icon just waiting to be played.
Studio View: Space to Listen, Room to Breathe
With a touch more volume—both in terms of space and style—the Studio View rooms are designed for those who want their Roman interlude with a deeper sound.
Each room features a comfortable lounge corner with signature seating, surrounded by rich wood and sophisticated lighting. The full-height windows frame panoramic views of the Eternal City, and the Bang & Olufsen sound system ensures the artist’s presence isn’t just seen, but felt.
Here, the experience becomes part of the architecture itself—folded into the textures, the acoustics, the atmosphere.
Junior Suite with View: A Crescendo of Comfort
For those who want their stay to hit a higher note, the Junior Suites offer both space and spectacle. Facing the river with massive windows and warm wooden walls, these suites feature a king-size bed, a stylish seating area, and a sofa bed ideal for small families or longer stays.
The design is soft, tactile, and sophisticated: brass tones, luxurious textiles, curated artwork. But it’s the music that gives each suite its soul. From the moment you place the vinyl on display to the instant the first note fills the room, the atmosphere shifts. The room listens with you.
Suites: Silence, Style, and Storytelling
Located on the quieter side of the building, the Suites offer a different kind of rhythm—one that’s more introspective. The views shift inward, toward the hotel’s lush courtyard, but the sense of volume remains.
These suites feature a separate living room, a generous walk-in wardrobe, and a Carrara marble bathroom with a full rainfall shower. Whether you're traveling as a couple or with family, these expansive spaces feel like a retreat.
The Location: In Rome, But Not Rushed
Location is everything in Rome—and The First Musica offers a particularly privileged one. Just a ten-minute walk from Piazza di Spagna and fifteen from the Vatican, it's close enough to the city's iconic heartbeats, yet far enough to allow for rest between movements.
The Prati district itself has become increasingly sought-after: elegant, residential, and full of refined Roman life. Think artisanal gelato shops, curated boutiques, hidden wine bars—and now, one of the city’s most innovative boutique hotels. The hotel sits right on the riverside, with its panoramic facade practically suspended above the Tiber, making for some of the best sunrises (or Negroni sunsets) in town.
The Rooftop: Alto – Where the City Meets the Sky
If The First Musica has an encore, it’s Alto—the hotel’s rooftop lounge and restaurant. Stretching over three reservable floors and welcoming up to 150 guests for private events, Alto is fast becoming a fixture of Prati nightlife.
Here, cocktails are symphonies in themselves.
The bar team crafts classics and signature inventions using premium, globally sourced ingredients with the precision of sound engineers. Each sip feels tailored, each view—well, unparalleled. One side looks out over the sinuous curve of the Tiber; the other, over Rome’s layered skyline: domes, spires, and ancient ruins bathed in golden light.
The vibe is glamorous, international, subtly decadent—Rome for the now.
The Restaurant: High Taste, Elevated Dining
At Alto Restaurant, the kitchen follows a culinary philosophy that could easily be compared to a finely tuned orchestra: seasonal ingredients, clean execution, bold flavors. Whether you’re here for a long lunch or a starlit dinner, the plates speak the same language as the hotel itself—sophisticated without being fussy, classic with a twist.
The chef-driven menu celebrates Mediterranean traditions with modern flair, and while seafood is a standout, vegetarians and curious foodies will find plenty to admire. Reservations are encouraged—and often necessary, especially on warm evenings when the terrace becomes Rome’s most coveted table.
More Than a Stay, a Soundtrack
In a city filled with marble grandeur and timeworn tradition, The First Musica composes a new, modern refrain—one that reveres the past but dances boldly into the future. It is both a sanctuary and a showcase; a place where music is not background but backbone.
Here, design speaks, sound breathes, and every floor tells a different story—of jazz greats, rock icons, and eternal ballads. It’s a hotel with soul, rhythm, and style.
And in the Eternal City, that makes it a classic in the making.
All photos by Sigurd M. Killerud
- Our stay was hosted by The First Musica, Rome.