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

What’s Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Lodge?

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

Rome Cavalieri is extra of a resort than a traditional metropolis resort. It has 4 swimming swimming pools, an unimaginable spa that includes a Turkish tub 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 resort is maybe greatest identified for its world-class artwork assortment, which incorporates works by Pietro Liberi, Giovanni Giambattista Tiepelo and Antonio Tantardini, amongst many others.

Learn how to ebook Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Lodge

As you’d count on, this Waldorf is not low cost. Nonetheless, it may be an awesome deal in the event 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.

Every day E-newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day publication

Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants

Whereas room charges not often dip beneath $600, I discovered award availability pretty widespread for subsequent yr, 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 night time.

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

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

The Rome Cavalieri sits on high of the best hill in Rome, Monte Mario, in an in any other case city residential space. It presents sweeping views of town’s iconic websites, together with the close by Vatican. The resort is much sufficient away from high-traffic vacationer areas to really feel quiet, but not too removed from the points of interest of Rome just like the Trevi Fountain, Castel Sant’Angelo and the Colosseum — not less than through automotive.

The resort presents a shuttle that runs to central Rome hourly from 8:30 a.m. to eight:30 p.m., however notice that it solely runs April by way of October, would not run on Sundays or holidays, and takes a three-hour break throughout its operating occasions. In different phrases, it is not probably the most handy option to get into city.

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

Basically, in the event you’re searching for a resort the place you’ll be able to stroll out the door and be in Rome’s historic middle, you would possibly think about staying elsewhere.

Rooms are properly 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 properly 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. Under, you may see an expansive garden with a number of the resort’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. Mild 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 varied forms of pillow filling, corresponding to a buckwheat husk pillow, a down bolster and extra.

I snapped a couple of images 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 paintings and different heavy and dated design touches.

I used to be greeted with a field of candies 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 often 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 continually 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 shops above the desk framed in gold. Certainly, there have been plentiful shops all through the room. A number of the plugs work with American prongs, however chances are you’ll must ask the entrance desk for adapters in the event you neglect to carry some common adapters of your personal.

A pleasant-size rest room 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 rest room.

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

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

The room was massive, particularly by European requirements. I believe my room — among the many smallest within the resort — can 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 Lodge

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 resort’s fundamental 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 cherished 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 probably the greatest advantages of top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond standing, saving me $52 per day. There was a formidable unfold, together with a juice station, a big number 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 varied meats.

You may as well 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. each day, and I additionally bought to attempt dinner there. It was distinctive, if a bit expensive.

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

Be aware 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 actual 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 completely happy 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 absolutely booked. I used to be in a position to take some images of the spectacular views from the terrace and the bar space of the restaurant earlier than she shooed me away. It left a reasonably unhealthy style in my mouth.

That mentioned, 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 not too long ago bought a significant renovation and overhaul. La Pergola is open for dinner solely Tuesdays by way of Saturdays. Reservations open 4 months prematurely. To provide you an concept of costs, a seven-course meal is $325, and an a la carte three-course meal will price 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 night time and named for the artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Three of his rococo-style work adorn the resort’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 every little thing from morning espresso to night nightcaps with immediate and pleasant service.

The Pool Bar

Adjoining to the pool is The Pool Bar, providing a coated space to sit down and dine. Additionally they ship drinks and lightweight bites to individuals 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 hen and a whopping $11 for a smooth drink.

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

Facilities are the place the Rome Cavalieri actually shines

After I consider the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Lodge, what I actually keep in mind is the facilities. Not solely does it have Roman baths, clay tennis courts, strolling paths and several 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 proper 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 sit down or lie down, even throughout peak sunbathing hours.

The swimming pool was one of the vital well-liked spots within the resort, crammed with friends from throughout. I cherished the pool as a result of, not like many fashionable swimming pools, it had a deep finish; it was good to dive down within the completely cooled water.

The resort has two small swimming pools supreme for kids, plus a children 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 gave the impression to be a little bit of a mascot, making a stir wherever he went.

The spa at Rome Cavalieri channels Roman baths

You may 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 resort; 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 ladies’s locker rooms (and saunas), and the pleasant spa employees offers you a locker, a gown and slippers if you’re having fun with a remedy.

I spent not less than an hour a day throughout my go to utilizing the spa services. There’s a big co-ed sizzling tub and a steam room, a rest 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 friends.

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

Health fanatics will love the massive, well-appointed gymnasium

The Rome Cavalieri has a large and not too long ago up to date gymnasium. It presents an enormous number of cardio tools like treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical machines, and dozens of machines and free weights of all types. Even when the gymnasium was crowded, it by no means felt full, and there have been machines obtainable.

Causes Rome Cavalieri is probably not for you

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

• As beforehand talked about, service was spotty, and so they did not do an awesome job of rewarding this Hilton Honors Diamond member.
• The placement isn’t supreme for seeing the foremost sights of Rome.
• Rooms are additionally a bit old school, and the Nineteen 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 ceaselessly sufficient to be as helpful as they may very well be.
• You may must make reservations at La Pergola properly prematurely. Do not count on to get assist scoring a reservation from the concierge on the resort.

Accessibility at Rome Cavalieri

The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Lodge is absolutely wheelchair accessible. It has accessible rooms, large doorways and hallways, accessible elevators, and an entire record of different facilities. I discovered area to be probably the greatest elements of the resort, and many massive areas felt particularly accommodating. Buttons are lowered within the wider-than-average elevators and there are seize bars as properly.

As all the time, TPG recommends calling the resort to verify any accessible room varieties previous to reserving to verify particular wants could be accommodated.

Testing

The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Lodge has so much going for it. It is a fabulous possibility for these with Hilton free night time certificates or Hilton Honors factors burning a gap of their pocket, assuming you’ll be able to ebook for 100,000 factors an evening or much less. I cherished having 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.