Review of Rome Cavalieri – a Waldorf astoria Hotel : Resort Living in the Eternal City
The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel had been on my Roman bucket list for some time, and during my summer stay, I was able to get a pretty great deal by using points and award certificates despite really high cash prices. The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel had been on my Roman bucket list for some time, and during my summer stay, I was able to get a pretty great deal by using points and award certificates despite really high cash prices.
Related: The best hotels in Rome
While the service was a bit spotty, a large room and incredible amenities more than made up for a few service hiccups (and a disappointing view). Here’s what you can expect from the Rome Cavalieri A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POSTS GUY
What’s Rome Cavalieri?
The Rome Cavalieri is a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, a 370 room urban resort located on a hill Conrad Hilton opened the hotel himself in 1963 in a modular style that has been preserved on its exterior. Over the years, it has hosted a number of high-profile celebrities, including Fred Astaire and George Clooney. Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Michelle Obama have also stayed at this hotel. It has four swimming pools, an incredible spa featuring a Turkish bath and the only three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Rome. The hotel sits on 15 acres of well-maintained land with plenty of green space and walking paths that weave among the pools. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POSTS GUY
Aside for the A-list clients, it is also It is still possible to get a good deal by booking with Hilton Honors points. For the week I stayed in July, my large room with a balcony was going for around $625 or 83,000 Hilton Honors points a night.
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While room rates rarely dip below $600, I found award availability fairly widespread for next year, even in the peak summer season. Room rates for a deluxe king room like I had start around $673 or 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
I ended up using a free night certificate from one of my Hilton cobranded cards for one night, spending 80,000 Hilton Honors points for a second night, and paying $637 cash for a third night.
Despite holding top-tier Diamond status with Hilton, I did not get upgraded at check-in. It was understandable that the hotel had sold out, but it would have still been nice to have at least a room with an amazing view of Rome. The card gives 12 points for every dollar spent at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. I therefore earned 1,200 Hilton honors points. Surpass cards offer a $50 credit for every purchase made with a Hilton property. This can be up to $200 per year. I was able to earn 4,886 Hilton Honors Points on an extra $350 spent. I was also able to utilize my $200 statement credit that I received for having the Aspire card. Select Hilton resorts offer a $200 credit every two years. This card comes with a free night every year that I could use during my stay. This card offers a lot of value. This includes the Hilton Honors American Express Card
, which offers 7 points for every dollar spent at Hilton Hotels, with an automatic Hilton Honors Silver Status (and the option to upgrade to Gold status when you spend $20,000 within a year).
Hi The information on this page has not been reviewed by the card issuer. That’s a pretty decent return on spending since I only paid cash for one night of my three-night stay.
Once you’ve booked, keep an eye out for upgrade offers from Hilton.
Upgrade offer from Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. HILTON
I did not find any of these offers to be compelling. However, if you are set on having a room with a view of Rome, it might be worth locking in an upgrade before you arrive. Take note that I did not get the impression the hotel gave priority to Diamond Hilton Honors Members for upgrades. Don’t expect a free upgrade. The Rome Cavalieri Hotel is located in a good area, but it is not close to all the major Roman attractions. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POSTS GUY
The Rome Cavalieri is located on the Monte Mario hill, Rome’s highest point, which is a residential area. The hotel offers panoramic views of Rome’s most iconic sights, including the Vatican. It is located far enough from busy tourist areas that the hotel feels quiet but not too far away from Rome’s attractions like the Trevi Fountain and Castel Sant’Angelo. It’s not the easiest way to travel into the city. It’s an hour long walk each way if you like to hike. Just make sure it’s not over 100 degrees like it was during my stay.
Essentially, if you’re looking for a hotel where you can walk out the door and be in Rome’s historic center, you might consider staying elsewhere.
Related: A review of American Airlines business class on the 777 from Rome to New York
The hotel is about a 30-minute taxi ride from the main airport, Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO), and taxi rates start around $65.
Rooms are well appointed but a bit fusty
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
As I mentioned, I wasn’t upgraded at check-in despite my top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, but my deluxe king room was large and well appointed.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUYThe room came in at more than 500 square feet with a balcony and a living area.CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
The terrace had two chairs, and views of the residential area across the road as well as a large telecommunications tower. The hotel has a large lawn and some sculptures. Light wood furniture and room dividers were well-cared for and lightened the vibe of the otherwise heavy designs.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
- There was a king-size bed with luxurious white linens, along with plenty of other living and working space. The room had heavy, outdated design elements and Roman art. The room also came with a bottle of Champagne, but they exchanged it for Coke Zero, which was done happily. There was plenty of space with several cabinets, a large closet, and a minifridge that held beer, AcquaPanna Italian sparkling water and Coke products. There were also wooden hangers and extra bedding inside. Wi-Fi was fast enough to stream Netflix.CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
- There were outlets above the desk framed in gold. There were plenty of outlets in the room. You may have to ask for adapters at the front desk if you forgot to bring your own universal adapters. The bathroom was made of Roman travertine. The Acqua di Parma amenities were good, but they had a strong citrusy floral scent that I got tired of by the The shower/tub combination in hotel rooms is not my favorite. The room was spacious, even by European standards. I think my room — among the smallest in the hotel — would be large enough for a couple or small family to be perfectly comfortable for an extended stay.
- Restaurants at Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria HotelCLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
- There are plenty of dining options on-site, including poolside dining at Uliveto and La Pergola, Rome’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant.
Uliveto
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Uliveto is the hotel’s main restaurant next door to the pool with indoor and outdoor seating. The restaurant serves both breakfast and dinner and offers a variety of international and Mediterranean dishes. The breakfast spread was impressive, with a juice station, a large selection of fruit, and dozens of breads and past There was an impressive spread, including a juice station, a large selection of fruit, and a wide variety of breads and pastries in one room.
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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
The room next door was filled with multiple tables full of food, including fried eggs, omelets, hard-boiled eggs and various meats.
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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
You can also have eggs made to order and other items from a small a la carte menu, as well as vegan and gluten-free options.
Uliveto is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, and I also got to try dinner there. I had a broccoli ripassati appetizer ($13) and paired it up with pici all’arrabb The cover charge for dinner is $5.50, which I find ridiculous. The host was rude to me when I asked to be added to the waiting list. I was partly at fault for not making reservations before She insisted that I wear a blazer even though the restaurant was not yet open. CLINT HENDERSON/ She told me that the restaurant was fully booked for dinner while I was still on the waiting list. Before she sent me on my way, I took some pictures of the stunning views from the terrace of the restaurant and its bar area. The experience left me with a bad taste.
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CLINT HENDERSON/ There are 45 choices on the water list, and 70,000 different bottles of wine. Heinz Beck is the chef and recently, there was a major renovation of the restaurant. La Pergola serves dinner only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Reservations are open four months ahead. The prices are as follows: a seven-course dinner costs $325 and a three-course a la carte meal is The walls of the hotel are adorned with three of his rococo style paintings.
1 out of 30100 I enjoyed a tasty pizza on the menu. The Pool Bar is located adjacent to the swimming pool and offers a covered dining area. The Pool Bar also delivers drinks and small snacks to guests enjoying the sun at the pool. The service was great, but the prices were high. Room service offers the same menu as Uliveto. One evening, I ordered a small pizza and chicken breast with french fries, which totaled out to $84.
Amenities are where the Rome Cavalieri really shines
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
When I think of the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, what I really remember is the amenities. The swimming pool at the Rome Cavalieri was a popular spot for guests. It was filled with people from around the world. The pool was great because it had a deeper end, which I liked. It also has a summer kids club with fun activities The $200 resort credit I received from my Hilton card was very useful for a massage. I paid $149 for a 50-minute treatment they call the Diamond Well-Living Experience massage.
There are separate men’s and women’s locker rooms (and saunas), and the friendly spa staff gives you a locker, a robe and slippers if you are enjoying a treatment.
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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
I spent at least an hour a day during my visit using the spa facilities. The spa has a large co-ed steam room and hot tub, as well as separate locker rooms and saunas for men The gym is huge and well-equipped. Even when the gym was crowded, it never felt full, and there were machines available.
Reasons Rome Cavalieri may not be for you
Tourists inside the Pantheon. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel has many pluses, but it also has some drawbacks.
As previously mentioned, service was spotty, and they didn’t do a great job of rewarding this Hilton Honors Diamond member.
The location is not ideal for seeing the major sights of Rome.
Rooms are also a bit old-fashioned, and the 1960s-era design of the resort can feel dated.
Rooms without the sweeping views of Rome are a bit of a letdown since you overlook a residential neighborhood.
The shuttles to take visitors to the main areas of the Roman capital don’t run frequently enough to be as useful as they could be.
You’ll need to make reservations at La Pergola well in advance. Don’t expect to get help scoring a reservation from the concierge at the hotel.
Accessibility at Rome Cavalieri
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel is fully wheelchair accessible. The hotel has accessible rooms and wide hallways. It also offers accessible elevators and doors. The wide elevators have buttons that are lower than average and grab bars. Buttons are lowered in the wider-than-average elevators and there are grab bars as well.
As always, TPG recommends calling the hotel to confirm any accessible room types prior to booking to make sure specific needs can be accommodated.
Checking out
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel has a lot going for it. If you have Hilton Honors or free night certificates, this is a great option. The pools, spa, baths and various lounge areas were all wonderful. The food was delicious, and the rooms, though dated, are still luxurious.
Related: The best Waldorf Astoria hotels in the world
However, there are several things to be aware of if you are staying here. Even with Hilton Honors top-tier status you won’t get many perks and the service was not up to par. If you want reservations at the famed three-Michelin-star restaurant, reserve far in advance and don’t depend on any magic from the concierge.
Also be aware the location is outside of Rome’s historic center.
Despite all of that, the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel is a bright spot in the very expensive Roman hotel landscape. The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel is a bright spot in the very expensive Roman hotel landscape.
