A assessment of Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Resort: Resort dwelling within the Everlasting Metropolis

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 the town. In 1963, Conrad Hilton himself opened the lodge in a modular architectural type, which has been preserved in its exteriors. The lodge 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 basic metropolis lodge. 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.

Apart from the A-list clientele, the lodge is probably finest identified for its world-class artwork assortment, which incorporates works by Pietro Liberi, Giovanni Giambattista Tiepelo and Antonio Tantardini, amongst many others.

Methods to guide Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

As you’d anticipate, this Waldorf is not low-cost. Nonetheless, it may be an ideal deal should you guide 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 not often dip beneath $600, I discovered award availability pretty widespread for subsequent yr, even within the peak summer time 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 among 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 superb space however not central to the most effective Roman websites

The Rome Cavalieri sits on prime of the best hill in Rome, Monte Mario, in an in any other case city residential space. It provides sweeping views of the town’s iconic websites, together with the close by Vatican. The lodge is way 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 — at the very least by way of automobile.

The lodge provides a shuttle that runs to central Rome hourly from 8:30 a.m. to eight:30 p.m., however observe that it solely runs April by way of October, does not run on Sundays or holidays, and takes a three-hour break throughout its working occasions. In different phrases, it isn’t essentially the most handy option to get into city.

I did stroll a number of occasions from the lodge to the Vatican Metropolis space and again. If you’re into lengthy hikes, it is about an hour every means. Simply be certain it isn’t over 100 levels prefer it was throughout my keep.

Basically, should you’re in search of a lodge the place you possibly can stroll out the door and be in Rome’s historic middle, you may think about staying elsewhere.

Rooms are nicely 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 nicely appointed.

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

The terrace had two chairs, and views of the residential space throughout the street in addition to a big telecommunications tower. Under, you might see an expansive garden with a few 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 had been going for. Gentle wooden furnishings and room dividers had 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 dwelling and dealing house. There was even a “pillow menu” to order numerous forms of pillow filling, reminiscent of a buckwheat husk pillow, a down bolster and extra.

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

The room was stuffed 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. In addition they had Champagne ready for me, however I requested them to trade it for Coke Zero on ice, which they fortunately did. Housekeeping repeatedly 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 continuously 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 house 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. A number of the plugs work with American prongs, however it’s possible you’ll have to ask the entrance desk for adapters should you neglect to convey some common adapters of your personal.

A pleasant-size rest room contained a single sink, a bathe and bathtub combo, a bidet, and slightly seating space. It was all comprised of Roman travertine marble. The inlaid flooring design was a pleasant contact.

The facilities by Acqua di Parma had been good, although they had been closely scented with a citrusy, floral perfume that acquired 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 lodge rooms. The half-glass-walled bathe additionally made for a messy rest room flooring throughout showers, however the water stress was wonderful.

The plush Pedersoli Milano’s LaSpugna bathrobes had 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 predominant 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 beloved the alfresco eating expertise; the hosts and waiters had been pleasant, and repair was immediate and environment friendly.

The breakfast buffet got here free as among the finest 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 choice of fruit, and all kinds of breads and pastries in a single room.

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

You too can have eggs made to order and different objects 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 acquired 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 had been among the many finest I loved throughout my keep in Italy.

Notice 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 blissful to decorate up, however once I returned I used to be instructed 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 had been absolutely booked. I used to be capable of take some pictures 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 listing 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 acquired a serious renovation and overhaul. La Pergola is open for dinner solely Tuesdays by way of Saturdays. Reservations open 4 months prematurely. To offer 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 reside jazz or piano music within the evenings. The menu is filled with consolation meals, and I had a scrumptious pizza one night. The bar serves every part 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. In addition they ship drinks and lightweight bites to individuals having fun with time within the solar by the pool. Service was wonderful, although costs are excessive. I paid $31 for a tasty Caesar salad with grilled hen and a whopping $11 for a comfortable drink.

Room service can be out there 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

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 sit down or lie down, even throughout peak sunbathing hours.

The swimming pool was probably the most standard spots within the lodge, stuffed with friends from throughout. I beloved the pool as a result of, in contrast to many fashionable 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 preferrred for kids, plus a children membership in the summertime with actions like pizza making.

Pets are additionally welcome, and I noticed a number of lovable canine, together with slightly 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 possibly can hit up the Cavalieri Grand Spa Membership for a therapeutic massage, facial, hair therapy or different service. I loved an exquisite 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 therapy they name the Diamond Nicely-Dwelling Expertise therapeutic massage.

There are separate males’s and girls’s locker rooms (and saunas), and the pleasant spa workers provides you a locker, a gown and slippers in case you are having fun with a therapy.

I spent at the very least an hour a day throughout my go to utilizing the spa amenities. There’s a big co-ed sizzling 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 out there for spa friends.

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

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

The Rome Cavalieri has a large and lately up to date fitness center. It provides an enormous 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 out there.

Causes Rome Cavalieri might not be for you

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

• As beforehand talked about, service was spotty, they usually did not do an ideal job of rewarding this Hilton Honors Diamond member.
• The placement just isn’t preferrred for seeing the key sights of Rome.
• Rooms are additionally a bit old school, 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 incessantly sufficient to be as helpful as they could possibly be.
• You will have to make reservations at La Pergola nicely prematurely. 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 absolutely wheelchair accessible. It has accessible rooms, extensive doorways and hallways, accessible elevators, and a complete listing of different facilities. I discovered house to be among the finest 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 nicely.

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

Testing

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