Hot Spot: Hotel Boscolo Aleph, Rome

A few steps from Via Veneto, this sleek hotel was transformed from an old bank by New York architect Adam Tihany. Inspired by Dante's "Divine Comedy," the themes of saints and sinners make it the perfect place for being naughty or nice this Valentine's Day.

Ambience: The common areas feature floors and furniture with devil-red textures and black-lacquer finish. Caged stone lions and two larger-than-life samurai warriors stand guard over the red crystal lobby.

Rooms: Inside, the rooms are warm and plush, accented by 1930s-inspired furnishings and black-and-white wallpaper prints of Rome. Plasma screens and wireless keyboards mean you don't even have to leave bed to check e-mail. The hotel's 96 rooms range from €200 to €2,000 a night.

Food and Drink: The sinfully red Dionisio Wine Bar, where the wine is served in red crystal goblets, is ideal for a Valentine's Day drink or light lunch. When the weather is nice, guests can also enjoy a romantic nightcap in the 7th Heaven open-air rooftop bar.

Valentine ' s Day Special: One night in a deluxe room with a king-size bed for €549 includes a four-course meal at the hotel's Maremoto Sin restaurant— which focuses on seafood and classic red Italian ingredients like tomatoes and red bell peppers— and breakfast in bed.

B.N.

© 2008