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

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 lodge in a modular architectural model, which has been preserved in its exteriors. The lodge has seen some fairly high-profile friends 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 traditional 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.

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

Easy methods to e book Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Lodge

As you’d count on, this Waldorf is not low-cost. Nonetheless, it may be an awesome deal if you happen to e book utilizing Hilton Honors factors. For the week I stayed in July, my giant room with a balcony was going for round $625 or 83,000 Hilton Honors factors an evening.

Every day Publication

Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day e-newsletter

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

Whereas room charges hardly ever 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 night time.

I ended up utilizing a free night time certificates from one among 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 most effective 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 provides 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 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 via October, does not run on Sundays or holidays, and takes a three-hour break throughout its operating instances. In different phrases, it isn’t essentially the most handy option to get into city.

I did stroll just a few instances 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 sure it isn’t over 100 levels prefer it was throughout my keep.

Basically, if you happen to’re on the lookout for a lodge the place you’ll be able to stroll out the door and be in Rome’s historic heart, 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 giant and effectively 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 highway in addition to a big telecommunications tower. Under, you may see an expansive garden with among 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 class, however I might see what they had been going for. Mild 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 area. There was even a “pillow menu” to order varied sorts of pillow filling, similar to a buckwheat husk pillow, a down bolster and extra.

I snapped just a few photographs 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 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 change it for Coke Zero on ice, which they fortunately did. Housekeeping frequently 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 giant closet. Inside, there have been picket hangers, a protected 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. Among the plugs work with American prongs, however you could have to ask the entrance desk for adapters if you happen to neglect to carry some common adapters of your individual.

A pleasant-size rest room contained a single sink, a bathe and bathtub combo, a bidet, and a little bit seating space. It was all made out 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 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 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 giant, particularly by European requirements. I believe my room — among the many smallest within the lodge — could be giant 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 lodge’s major 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 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 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 filled with meals, together with fried eggs, omelets, hard-boiled eggs and varied 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. each day, and I additionally bought to strive 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 had been among the many finest 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 after 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 might even have a look contained in the empty restaurant.

I used to be completely happy to decorate up, however after 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 had been totally booked. I used to be in a position to 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 reasonably 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 checklist 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 via 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 price you $253.

Tiepelo Lounge & Terrace

On the opposite aspect of the decadent foyer, you will 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 lodge’s partitions.

The bar options reside 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 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 light-weight 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 mushy drink.

Room service can also be accessible 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 Lodge, what I actually keep in mind is the facilities. Not solely does it have Roman baths, clay tennis courts, strolling paths and a number of other giant 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 common spots within the lodge, crammed with friends from throughout. I liked the pool as a result of, in contrast to 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 preferrred for youngsters, plus a youngsters membership in the summertime with actions like pizza making.

Pets are additionally welcome, and I noticed a number of lovable canine, together with a little bit 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 lodge; that $200 resort credit score from my Hilton card got here in useful right here. I paid $149 for a 50-minute remedy they name the Diamond Effectively-Residing Expertise therapeutic massage.

There are separate males’s and ladies’s locker rooms (and saunas), and the pleasant spa workers 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 services. There’s a large co-ed scorching 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 accessible for spa friends.

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

Health fanatics will love the big, well-appointed health club

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

Causes Rome Cavalieri is probably not for you

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

• As beforehand talked about, service was spotty, they usually did not do an awesome job of rewarding this Hilton Honors Diamond member.
• The situation shouldn’t be preferrred for seeing the most important sights of Rome.
• Rooms are additionally a bit old style, 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 could possibly be.
• You may have to make reservations at La Pergola effectively prematurely. Do not count on to get assist scoring a reservation from the concierge on the lodge.

Accessibility at Rome Cavalieri

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

As at all times, TPG recommends calling the lodge to substantiate any accessible room sorts 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 choice for these with Hilton free night time certificates or Hilton Honors factors burning a gap of their pocket, assuming you’ll be able to e