A review of Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel: Resort living in the Eternal City

What’s Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort?

The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort is a 370-room city resort on a hill excessive above town. In 1963, Conrad Hilton himself opened the lodge in a modular architectural model, which has been preserved in its exteriors. The lodge has seen some fairly high-profile company through the years, together with Fred Astaire, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Michelle Obama.

Rome Cavalieri is extra of a resort than a basic metropolis lodge. It has 4 swimming swimming pools, an unimaginable spa that includes a Turkish bathtub and the one three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Rome. It sits on 15 well-manicured acres with strolling paths weaving among the many swimming pools and loads of inexperienced areas.

Except for the A-list clientele, the lodge is maybe greatest recognized for its world-class artwork assortment, which incorporates works by Pietro Liberi, Giovanni Giambattista Tiepelo and Antonio Tantardini, amongst many others.

Tips on how to ebook Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

As you’d anticipate, this Waldorf is not low cost. Nonetheless, it may be a terrific deal when you ebook utilizing Hilton Honors factors. For the week I stayed in July, my massive room with a balcony was going for round $625 or 83,000 Hilton Honors factors an evening.

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Whereas room charges hardly ever dip beneath $600, I discovered award availability pretty widespread for subsequent 12 months, even within the peak summer season season. Room charges for a deluxe king room like I had begin round $673 or 80,000 Hilton Honors factors per evening.

I ended up utilizing a free evening certificates from one in all my Hilton cobranded playing cards for one evening, spending 80,000 Hilton Honors factors for a second evening, and paying $637 money for a 3rd evening.

Rome Cavalieri is in a high quality space however not central to the perfect Roman websites

The Rome Cavalieri sits on high of the very best hill in Rome, Monte Mario, in an in any other case city residential space. It affords sweeping views of town’s iconic websites, together with the close by Vatican. The lodge is much sufficient away from high-traffic vacationer areas to really feel quiet, but not too removed from the sights of Rome just like the Trevi Fountain, Castel Sant’Angelo and the Colosseum — no less than through automotive.

The lodge affords a shuttle that runs to central Rome hourly from 8:30 a.m. to eight:30 p.m., however word that it solely runs April by means of October, would not run on Sundays or holidays, and takes a three-hour break throughout its working instances. In different phrases, it isn’t probably the most handy strategy to get into city.

I did stroll a couple of instances from the lodge to the Vatican Metropolis space and again. If you’re into lengthy hikes, it is about an hour every approach. Simply make sure that it isn’t over 100 levels prefer it was throughout my keep.

Primarily, when you’re searching for a lodge the place you possibly can stroll out the door and be in Rome’s historic middle, you may contemplate staying elsewhere.

Rooms are effectively appointed however a bit fusty

As I discussed, I wasn’t upgraded at check-in regardless of my top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond standing, however my deluxe king room was massive and effectively appointed.

The room got here in at greater than 500 sq. ft with a balcony and a residing space.

The terrace had two chairs, and views of the residential space throughout the street in addition to a big telecommunications tower. Beneath, you might see an expansive garden with a number of the lodge’s sculptures.

The royal blue carpeting was damaged up with gold-trimmed patterns that evoked extra of a Las Vegas on line casino really feel than Roman magnificence, however I may see what they have been going for. Gentle wooden furnishings and room dividers have been well-cared for and lightened the vibe of the in any other case heavy designs.

There was a king-size mattress with luxurious white linens, together with loads of different residing and dealing area. There was even a “pillow menu” to order numerous varieties of pillow filling, corresponding to a buckwheat husk pillow, a down bolster and extra.

I snapped a couple of photographs of the room throughout the corridor whereas the housekeepers have been cleansing, and you may see the distinction the view makes within the gallery beneath.

The room was crammed with Roman art work and different heavy and dated design touches.

I used to be greeted with a field of sweets together with three bottles of glowing and nonetheless water. Additionally they had Champagne ready for me, however I requested them to alternate it for Coke Zero on ice, which they fortunately did. Housekeeping recurrently stored bottles of Bolle mineral water stocked within the room.

The room additionally had a Nespresso espresso machine, a tea kettle, Villeroy & Boch dishware, and always replenished espresso pods and creamers.

A minifridge beneath held miniature liquors plus beer, Acqua Panna Italian glowing water, Purple Bull, Coke merchandise and some small bottles of wine.

There was loads of storage with a number of cupboards and a considerably massive closet. Inside, there have been picket hangers, a secure and a few additional bedding.

The elegant cherry wooden desk had loads of area to work throughout my keep. Wi-Fi was quick sufficient to stream Netflix.

There have been retailers above the desk framed in gold. Certainly, there have been plentiful retailers all through the room. Among the plugs work with American prongs, however it’s possible you’ll have to ask the entrance desk for adapters when you overlook to convey some common adapters of your personal.

A pleasant-size lavatory contained a single sink, a bathe and bathtub combo, a bidet, and somewhat seating space. It was all created from Roman travertine marble. The inlaid flooring design was a pleasant contact.

The facilities by Acqua di Parma have been good, although they have been closely scented with a citrusy, floral perfume that bought a bit drained by the point I left. There have been additionally additional dental kits, mouthwash, lotion and cotton swabs within the lavatory.

I am not an enormous fan of the shower-tub combo in lodge rooms. The half-glass-walled bathe additionally made for a messy lavatory flooring throughout showers, however the water stress was glorious.

The plush Pedersoli Milano’s LaSpugna bathrobes have been a pleasant contact.

The room was massive, particularly by European requirements. I feel my room — among the many smallest within the lodge — could be massive sufficient for a pair or small household to be completely snug for an prolonged keep.

Eating places at Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

There are many eating choices on-site, together with poolside eating at Uliveto and La Pergola, Rome’s solely three-Michelin-starred restaurant.

Uliveto

Uliveto is the lodge’s primary restaurant subsequent door to the pool with indoor and out of doors seating. It options Mediterranean and worldwide delicacies with regional Italian dishes, and is open for each breakfast and dinner. I liked the alfresco eating expertise; the hosts and waiters have been pleasant, and repair was immediate and environment friendly.

The breakfast buffet got here free as the most effective advantages of top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond standing, saving me $52 per day. There was a powerful unfold, together with a juice station, a big choice of fruit, and all kinds of breads and pastries in a single room.

The room subsequent door was crammed with a number of tables stuffed with meals, together with fried eggs, omelets, hard-boiled eggs and numerous meats.

It’s also possible to have eggs made to order and different gadgets from a small a la carte menu, in addition to vegan and gluten-free choices.

Uliveto is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. day-after-day, and I additionally bought to attempt dinner there. It was distinctive, if a bit dear.

I began with broccoli ripassati as an appetizer for $13 and paired it with a scrumptious pasta referred to as pici all’arrabbiata for $25. Each dishes have been among the many greatest I loved throughout my keep in Italy.

Observe there’s a cowl cost of $5.50 per individual for dinner, which appears foolish to me.

La Pergola

Talking of foolish, Rome Cavalieri’s fancy rooftop restaurant is La Pergola, the place I used to be handled fairly shabbily. It was partially my fault as a result of I did not make reservations previous to my go to, however the host was downright impolite once I confirmed as much as ask about being added to the waitlist. Regardless of the very fact the restaurant wasn’t even open for the night but, she insisted I placed on a blazer earlier than I may even have a look contained in the empty restaurant.

I used to be joyful to decorate up, however once I returned I used to be advised I would not be allowed to {photograph} even the principle restaurant seating space. She additionally famous that whereas I used to be on the waitlist for dinner, they have been totally booked. I used to be capable of take some photographs of the spectacular views from the terrace and the bar space of the restaurant earlier than she shooed me away. It left a fairly unhealthy style in my mouth.

That stated, if you’ll be able to get reservations, the restaurant will get good suggestions for the meals. The water record alone has 45 choices, and there are some 70,000 bottles of wine to select from. The chef right here is Heinz Beck and the restaurant lately bought a significant renovation and overhaul. La Pergola is open for dinner solely Tuesdays by means of Saturdays. Reservations open 4 months upfront. To present you an thought of costs, a seven-course meal is $325, and an a la carte three-course meal will value you $253.

Tiepelo Lounge & Terrace

On the opposite facet of the decadent foyer, you may discover Tiepelo Lounge & Terrace, which is open all day and into the evening and named for the artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Three of his rococo-style work adorn the lodge’s partitions.

The bar options stay jazz or piano music within the evenings. The menu is stuffed with consolation meals, and I had a scrumptious pizza one night. The bar serves all the things from morning espresso to night nightcaps with immediate and pleasant service.

The Pool Bar

Adjoining to the pool is The Pool Bar, providing a lined space to take a seat and dine. Additionally they ship drinks and lightweight bites to folks having fun with time within the solar by the pool. Service was glorious, although costs are excessive. I paid $31 for a tasty Caesar salad with grilled rooster and a whopping $11 for a delicate drink.

Room service can be obtainable with choices mirroring Uliveto precisely. One night, I ordered a small pizza and rooster breast with french fries, which totaled out to $84.

Facilities are the place the Rome Cavalieri actually shines

Once I consider the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, what I actually bear in mind is the facilities. Not solely does it have Roman baths, clay tennis courts, strolling paths and a number of other massive terraces, however the resort additionally has no fewer than 4 swimming swimming pools, together with an indoor pool.

That inside pool is the right spot to hang around within the winter when the remainder of the swimming swimming pools are closed for the season.

There was by no means a scarcity of pool chairs or locations to take a seat or lie down, even throughout peak sunbathing hours.

The swimming pool was one of the vital standard spots within the lodge, crammed with company from throughout. I liked the pool as a result of, not like many trendy swimming pools, it had a deep finish; it was good to dive down within the completely cooled water.

The lodge has two small swimming pools very best for kids, plus a youngsters membership in the summertime with actions like pizza making.

Pets are additionally welcome, and I noticed a number of cute canine, together with somewhat dachshund who appeared to be a little bit of a mascot, making a stir wherever he went.

The spa at Rome Cavalieri channels Roman baths

You’ll be able to hit up the Cavalieri Grand Spa Membership for a therapeutic massage, facial, hair remedy or different service. I loved a beautiful therapeutic massage on the spa on my first day on the lodge; that $200 resort credit score from my Hilton card got here in helpful right here. I paid $149 for a 50-minute remedy they name the Diamond Properly-Residing Expertise therapeutic massage.

There are separate males’s and girls’s locker rooms (and saunas), and the pleasant spa employees provides you a locker, a gown and slippers if you’re having fun with a remedy.

I spent no less than an hour a day throughout my go to utilizing the spa amenities. There’s a big co-ed scorching tub and a steam room, a leisure room, and separate sauna and locker rooms divided by gender.

There’s additionally a separate seating space with a Nespresso machine, ice water and some snacks obtainable for spa company.

Because of my Hilton Honors standing, I did not pay to make use of the amenities, however company who do not ebook remedies and with out standing should pay $42 a day to make use of the spa.

Health fanatics will love the big, well-appointed fitness center

The Rome Cavalieri has a large and lately up to date fitness center. It affords a large choice of cardio gear like treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical machines, and dozens of machines and free weights of all types. Even when the fitness center was crowded, it by no means felt full, and there have been machines obtainable.

Causes Rome Cavalieri will not be for you

The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort has many pluses, nevertheless it additionally has some drawbacks.

• As beforehand talked about, service was spotty, and so they did not do a terrific job of rewarding this Hilton Honors Diamond member.
• The placement shouldn’t be very best for seeing the most important sights of Rome.
• Rooms are additionally a bit old style, and the Sixties-era design of the resort can really feel dated.
• Rooms with out the sweeping views of Rome are a little bit of a letdown because you overlook a residential neighborhood.
• The shuttles to take guests to the principle areas of the Roman capital do not run continuously sufficient to be as helpful as they may very well be.
• You will have to make reservations at La Pergola effectively upfront. Do not anticipate to get assist scoring a reservation from the concierge on the lodge.

Accessibility at Rome Cavalieri

The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort is totally wheelchair accessible. It has accessible rooms, huge doorways and hallways, accessible elevators, and a complete record of different facilities. I discovered area to be the most effective components of the lodge, and plenty of massive areas felt particularly accommodating. Buttons are lowered within the wider-than-average elevators and there are seize bars as effectively.

As all the time, TPG recommends calling the lodge to substantiate any accessible room sorts previous to reserving to ensure particular wants might be accommodated.

Trying out

The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort has loads going for it. It is a fabulous choice for these with Hilton free evening certificates or Hilton Honors factors burning a gap of their pocket, assuming you possibly can ebook for 100,000 factors an evening or much less. I liked with the ability to use the swimming swimming pools, the unimaginable spa and baths, and the assorted lounging areas. The meals was scrumptious, and the rooms, although dated, are nonetheless luxurious.