In honor of its 125th anniversary, Rome’s iconic Hotel Hassler is celebrating with a gala and an interactive exhibit. hundreds of elite guests. The five-star luxury hotel opened in 1893, and has become a fixture in the Roman landscape,having accommodated celebrities, artists, and politicians from around the world, as well as serving as the U.S. Air Force headquarters during World WarII.
At the gala, held on Nov. 28, an awards ceremony honored the hotel’s current owner, Roberto Wirth, for his influence and service. Wirth is the fifth generation of the Swiss hotelier family to work in the industry and has been at the helm of the hotel for 40 years; the family has owned Hotel Hassler since 1922. He is also deaf,and founded a nonprofit in 1992 that provides services to children who are blind and deaf.
The gala also included a dinner and cocktail party with live music for 300 VIP guests, including celebrities and hotel regulars. In the past, Hotel Hassler has hosted celebrities such as Presidents Kennedy and Eisenhower, Princess Grace, and Princess Diana, and Audrey Hepburn, who lived at the hotel while filming Roman Holiday. An interactive exhibit in the hotel highlights the building’s history withmemorabilia, photos, and historical records of Wirth’s Swiss origins.
Perched at the top of the Spanish Steps, Hotel Hassler has 91 rooms decorated elegantly in different styles, with furnishings ranging from French crystal and Murano glass to Hermes fabric. Imago, the rooftop restaurant, has received five Michelin stars and serves seasonal Italian cuisine alongside a view of the Borghese Gardens.
By Kathy McCabe
