Kanoo World Traveller: September 2007

Our crack squad of travel experts are ready to tackle all your holiday questions, from theatre in London to art and culture in Dubai and boutique hotels in Rome...

JAMES LOHAN

James is one half of Mr & Mrs Smith, the duo who launched the hugely popular guidebook of the same name (www.mrandmrssmith.com).  He is an expert on the world's finest boutique hotels.

THE TOPIC: BEAUTIFUL BOUTIQUE HOTELS

I'm going on holiday to Rome in November but I don't want to stay in any of the obvious big hotels – can you recommend a really exciting place to book into?

Undoubtably one of the most amazing and exclusive places to stay in Rome is la Residenza Napoleone III.  This grand boutique apartment in Rome is more like a private home than a hotel, with wonderful silk-draped canopy beds, oil paintings and antiques.  It is made up of just two suites so it's the ultimate solution if you're looking for a very private escape in the heart of the city.

There's the private apartment, Residenza Napoleone III (which has an optional extra room called the Blue Bedroom), and the Roof Garden Terrace Suite.  Rates are 1,200 euros for the apartment, 450 euros for the Blue Bedroom and 650 euros for the suite, including breakfast and taxes.