The Gran Meliá Rome Villa Agrippina hotel will open its doors in one of the most exclusive areas of the Eternal City during Easter week 2012.

The hotel will provide a unique destination for travellers with its impeccable architecture, impressive gardens and exclusive facilities. It is a place where art, hospitality and well-being will come together. The Gran Meliá Rome Villa Agrippina promises to be the brand's most luxurious hotel to date.

Located at 4, Via del Gianicolo in the centre of the city by the Tiber River, the hotel will be surrounded by shops and monuments such as the Coliseum, Saint Peter's Basilica, the Castel Sant'Angelo, Piazza Navona and the Oratorio del Gonfalone, all within easy walking distance. This paradise in the heart of the Eternal City will offer visitors a sanctuary away from the urban hustle and bustle, yet in the center of it all.

Guests staying at the Gran Meliá Rome will be immersed in the local art, history and culture of Rome. The hotel embraces the rich local history and stands on the site of what was once the Villa of Agrippina, named in honor of the mother of famous Roman emperor Nero. The archaeological remains unearthed during its construction will be on display throughout the elegant galleries and communal areas of the building.

Gran Meliá Rome emerges from the magnificent Orti Domiziani gardens, the original and first botanical gardens built in the city, named in honour of Domitia, Nero's paternal aunt. The hotel is a modern day Garden of Eden in the heart of the capital featuring native plants, a variety of beautiful indigenous flowers and surrounded by ancient orange trees. The hotel's expert botanical guides will provide tours along Orti Domiziani allowing guests insight into both the local history and impressive flora.

In the midst of this unparalleled 10,000 square-metre setting are the hotel's 116 rooms and suites, each with a unique story, elegantly arranged across eight floors. Acting as a museum within the city, each thematic floor acts as an art gallery boasting pieces inspired by well-known pieces on display in the city's museums. Guests staying on the RedLevel, all suite area, have a wide range of exclusive services at their disposal such as private check-in and an exclusive lounge.

Gran Meliá Rome hotel will offer an extensive choice of outstanding restaurants specializing in Italian, Mediterranean and international haute cuisine, such as the Roman-inspired VIVAVOCE restaurant, in addition to elegant bars and lounges that will provide guests with la dolce vita experience without the need to leave the hotel. Two of the hotel's most distinctive venues will consist of a Pool lounge perfect for light meals and canapés as well as a Roof Garden with 360-degree vistas of the city, ideal for cocktails and wine.

The hotel's YHI Wellness area, which features a hydrotherapy ritual and an exquisite relaxing treatments area, invites guests to discover a new world of well-being, health and beauty treatments, a welcome antidote to the metropolis' hectic buzz.

Lastly, the CMP-accredited (Certified Meeting Professional) event planning team will provide business travellers with the experience and services needed to set up an event of any style or size, through the brand's exclusive RedGlove Meeting&Events programme.

Gran Meliá Rome will allow guests to enjoy an unparalleled experience in unique surroundings.  As the brand's new flagship hotel, Gran Meliá Rome Villa Agrippina will serve as a platform to enjoy the core values that define Gran Meliá hotels: exceptional service based on traditional luxury and avant-garde style.