CASA HOWARD - ROME
Eclectic boutique style near the Spanish Steps
WE'RE RATHER TAKEN WITH CASA HOWARD'S SPLIT PERSONALITY. One half comprises five rooms on the Capo le Case, while the other occupies the second floor of an old palazzo on Via Sistina. You’ll find the pair between Rome's famous Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain – so expect liveliness plus all the feel of private homes.
These flamboyant B&Bs are more like the pied-à-terre of some top interior designer. Casa Howard owners Count Leonardi and wife Jenifer Howard Forneris have set out to create intimate establishments with five-star style. Their leisure-plus-pleasure philosophy certainly works. Two housekeepers, or ‘house genies’, attend and cosset. Nice touches abound: fresh flowers, immaculate linens, Florentine soaps, kimonos, an honesty bar and private keys. Both places even boast a private hammam.
Rooms exemplify the owners’ philosophy: think country-house meets ethnic meets modern-retro. There’s the zany Zebra room, all black and white on red; the White room’s extravaganza in toile de Jouy; the rustling silks of the Chinese room.
Hit the Spot
Twin addresses near the Spanish Steps.
Bedtime
Think country-house meets ethnic meets modern-retro.
Be Savvy
Jenifer's list of must-sees has some great off-the-beaten-track recommendations.
Be Smitten
Wham-bam designer glam in prime location.
Stylishly schizophrenic
It’s breakfast in bed here: freshly baked cornetti and home-made jams arrive at your door courtesy of your house genie. Throw in bespoke furniture, antiques and pictures, and the whole effect is seductive and – dare we say – stylishly schizophrenic. There’s even a sister Casa Howard in Florence.
Casa Howard was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mike North
These flamboyant B&Bs are more like the pied-à-terre of some top interior designer. Casa Howard owners Count Leonardi and wife Jenifer Howard Forneris have set out to create intimate establishments with five-star style. Their leisure-plus-pleasure philosophy certainly works. Two housekeepers, or ‘house genies’, attend and cosset. Nice touches abound: fresh flowers, immaculate linens, Florentine soaps, kimonos, an honesty bar and private keys. Both places even boast a private hammam.
Rooms exemplify the owners’ philosophy: think country-house meets ethnic meets modern-retro. There’s the zany Zebra room, all black and white on red; the White room’s extravaganza in toile de Jouy; the rustling silks of the Chinese room.
Hit the Spot
Twin addresses near the Spanish Steps.
Bedtime
Think country-house meets ethnic meets modern-retro.
Be Savvy
Jenifer's list of must-sees has some great off-the-beaten-track recommendations.
Be Smitten
Wham-bam designer glam in prime location.
Stylishly schizophrenic
It’s breakfast in bed here: freshly baked cornetti and home-made jams arrive at your door courtesy of your house genie. Throw in bespoke furniture, antiques and pictures, and the whole effect is seductive and – dare we say – stylishly schizophrenic. There’s even a sister Casa Howard in Florence.
Casa Howard was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mike North
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Dining in
Only breakfast is served, though in keeping with its home-away-from-home style, Casa Howard operates a trust policy and there is always a fully stocked fridge for you to raid. Nibble now, and pay on check-out.
Dining out
Romans and Neopolitans debate endlessly over who invented the pizza and who perfected it. Settle the argument yourself at the excellent La Capricciosa. If seafood is your thing head along to Riccioli Café, which is very famous (and pretty pricey) and try the sushi Mediterraneo. The locals love Nino – five minutes from Via Capo le Case – and you will too.
Where?
Casa Howard – in two Rome locations
What’s cooking?
Breakfast – served on Ginori china, with freshly-baked pastries and honey from the owner's Tuscan farm.
Dress the part
As you would when staying with a rather stylish friend
Top table?
None – it's breakfast in bed here.
See & Do
Where to begin in the Eternal City? There is the well preserved Roman Forum (actually there are three) with the entirely preserved Roman senate house, temple of Vesta and ancient law courts. There’s the Flavian amphitheatre (better known as the Colosseum), countless monuments and statues, museums, galleries and churches. The crowds may be sardine-like but you really should visit the Vatican too. And if you throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, you'll ensure your return to Rome.
Shop
Rome is a shopper’s nirvana, with just about every big designer name on tap here. Head off to Eleonora for big-brand fashion items – top designers sometimes create special pieces for the store. Or set your sights on Piazza di Spagna, where the Frette store sells wonderful linens, towel sets and fluffy bathrobes.
After dark
Dine out and have a drink at one of Rome’s hundreds of bars, or check out the late-night sounds at the Be Bop Jazz Club in via Giulietti. Stay out as late as you like – Casa Howard give you the keys to the house so night owls can come back as late as they like.
Dates
April
The Good Friday procession re-enacts the Stations of the Cross in a torchlit procession from Via Crucis past the Colosseum up to Monte Palatino.
June-September
Estate Romana is a summer-long festival with music ranging from classics to rock, plus cinema, theatre and sport.
Only breakfast is served, though in keeping with its home-away-from-home style, Casa Howard operates a trust policy and there is always a fully stocked fridge for you to raid. Nibble now, and pay on check-out.
Dining out
Romans and Neopolitans debate endlessly over who invented the pizza and who perfected it. Settle the argument yourself at the excellent La Capricciosa. If seafood is your thing head along to Riccioli Café, which is very famous (and pretty pricey) and try the sushi Mediterraneo. The locals love Nino – five minutes from Via Capo le Case – and you will too.
Where?
Casa Howard – in two Rome locations
What’s cooking?
Breakfast – served on Ginori china, with freshly-baked pastries and honey from the owner's Tuscan farm.
Dress the part
As you would when staying with a rather stylish friend
Top table?
None – it's breakfast in bed here.
See & Do
Where to begin in the Eternal City? There is the well preserved Roman Forum (actually there are three) with the entirely preserved Roman senate house, temple of Vesta and ancient law courts. There’s the Flavian amphitheatre (better known as the Colosseum), countless monuments and statues, museums, galleries and churches. The crowds may be sardine-like but you really should visit the Vatican too. And if you throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, you'll ensure your return to Rome.
Shop
Rome is a shopper’s nirvana, with just about every big designer name on tap here. Head off to Eleonora for big-brand fashion items – top designers sometimes create special pieces for the store. Or set your sights on Piazza di Spagna, where the Frette store sells wonderful linens, towel sets and fluffy bathrobes.
After dark
Dine out and have a drink at one of Rome’s hundreds of bars, or check out the late-night sounds at the Be Bop Jazz Club in via Giulietti. Stay out as late as you like – Casa Howard give you the keys to the house so night owls can come back as late as they like.
Dates
April
The Good Friday procession re-enacts the Stations of the Cross in a torchlit procession from Via Crucis past the Colosseum up to Monte Palatino.
June-September
Estate Romana is a summer-long festival with music ranging from classics to rock, plus cinema, theatre and sport.
GETTING THERE
Locations
Via Capo Le Case and Via Sistina, 00187 Rome
Parking
Parking is available nearby for EUR 30-35 a day.
Trains and underground
Termini mainline station - 30 minutes. Nearest metro station – Spagna, on the "A" line.
Taxis
EUR 20-30 from Termini station
Airport
Rome Fiumicino - 32km
Rooms and suites
Ten rooms in two guesthouses at Via Capo le Case and Via Sistina.
Special features
Rooms are wonderfully decorated, while bathrooms come with mint or pomegranate soaps.
Also…
The Chinese room in Via Capo le Case has a four poster bed and access to a private hammam.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 170 - 250
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11:30am
Minimum night stay?
Two nights at weekends, three during bank holiday weekends.
Breakfast
Breakfast (charged at EUR 10) is brought to your room until 10am. Expect freshly squeezed orange juice, pastries and home-made preserves.
Room service
There's no room service as such, but the housekeepers will bring you breakfast and the fridge is left well stocked.
Children
Welcome – though youngsters probably won't enjoy the concept of the place.
Pets
Dogs are welcome if small and well-behaved.
Air conditioning
Yes – all rooms
Languages
Italian and English
Wedding license?
Yes – based on exclusive hire. Up to 20 guests can be accommodated.
Eco conscience
Casa Howard uses energy saving light bulbs and carries out recycling.
Your contact
Massimiliano Leonardi – general manager
Locations
Via Capo Le Case and Via Sistina, 00187 Rome
Parking
Parking is available nearby for EUR 30-35 a day.
Trains and underground
Termini mainline station - 30 minutes. Nearest metro station – Spagna, on the "A" line.
Taxis
EUR 20-30 from Termini station
Airport
Rome Fiumicino - 32km
Rooms and suites
Ten rooms in two guesthouses at Via Capo le Case and Via Sistina.
Special features
Rooms are wonderfully decorated, while bathrooms come with mint or pomegranate soaps.
Also…
The Chinese room in Via Capo le Case has a four poster bed and access to a private hammam.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 170 - 250
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11:30am
Minimum night stay?
Two nights at weekends, three during bank holiday weekends.
Breakfast
Breakfast (charged at EUR 10) is brought to your room until 10am. Expect freshly squeezed orange juice, pastries and home-made preserves.
Room service
There's no room service as such, but the housekeepers will bring you breakfast and the fridge is left well stocked.
Children
Welcome – though youngsters probably won't enjoy the concept of the place.
Pets
Dogs are welcome if small and well-behaved.
Air conditioning
Yes – all rooms
Languages
Italian and English
Wedding license?
Yes – based on exclusive hire. Up to 20 guests can be accommodated.
Eco conscience
Casa Howard uses energy saving light bulbs and carries out recycling.
Your contact
Massimiliano Leonardi – general manager
