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

During a recent return to Rome, one of my favorite cities, I was determined not to pay through the teeth for a few nights in luxury. 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). It’s an ideal hotel if you are traveling with family or want a resort-style escape that still gets you access to a major European capital city.

Here’s what to expect at the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

What is Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel?

The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel is a 370-room urban resort on a hill high above the city. In 1963, Conrad Hilton himself opened the hotel in a modular architectural style, which has been preserved in its exteriors. The hotel has seen some pretty high-profile guests over the years, including Fred Astaire, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Michelle Obama.

Rome Cavalieri is more of a resort than a classic city hotel. It has four swimming pools, an incredible spa featuring a Turkish bath and the only three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Rome. It sits on 15 well-manicured acres with walking paths weaving among the pools and plenty of green spaces.

Aside from the A-list clientele, the hotel is perhaps best known for its world-class art collection, which includes works by Pietro Liberi, Giovanni Giambattista Tiepelo and Antonio Tantardini, among many others.

How to book Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

As you’d expect, this Waldorf isn’t cheap. Still, it can be a great deal if you book using 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.

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. While understandable, considering the hotel was sold out during my stay, it would have been nice to at least have gotten a room with a nice view of Rome.

I also used two Hilton cards to maximize hotel credits.

I used my Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card for one day’s extra charges of $100. This card earns 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, so I earned 1,200 Hilton Honors points. However, I also received a $50 statement credit, as you get $50 each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio, up to $200 a year, when you use the Surpass card.

I also used my Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card for charges for the other two days. I earned a total of 4,886 Hilton Honors points on just under $350 in extra spending. I also was able to use my $200 statement credit for holding the Aspire card. You get a $200 credit twice a year when staying at select Hilton resorts. The Aspire card also comes with an annual free night award that I was able to use on this stay. That’s a pretty valuable perk for holding the card.

When booking the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, you’ll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Hilton stays, or possibly one that offers automatic Hilton Honors elite status for value-added benefits. These include the ones I mentioned above:

• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card: Earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels, automatic Gold elite status and the ability to upgrade to Diamond status by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
• Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels, automatic Gold elite status and the ability to upgrade to Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
• Hilton Honors American Express Card: Earn 7 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and automatic Hilton Honors Silver status (with an upgrade to Gold when you spend $20,000 in a calendar year).
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Earn 14 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and automatic Diamond elite status.

The information for the Hilton Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

All in all, I earned a total of 24,461 Hilton Honors points for the cash bookings and the charges I made to the room during my stay — worth $146.77, according to TPG’s September 2024 valuations. 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.

I didn’t find any of the offers compelling, but if you have your heart set on a view of Rome from your room, you might want to lock in an upgrade ahead of time. I didn’t get the feeling the hotel prioritized Diamond Hilton Honors members for upgrades, so take that under advisement. I wouldn’t count on a free upgrade. For what it’s worth, I also wasn’t offered access to the hotel’s executive lounge, which is another perk that is supposed to be automatic with Diamond status.

Rome Cavalieri is in a fine area but not central to the best Roman sites

The Rome Cavalieri sits on top of the highest hill in Rome, Monte Mario, in an otherwise urban residential area. It offers sweeping views of the city’s iconic sites, including the nearby Vatican. The hotel is far enough away from high-traffic tourist areas to feel quiet, yet not too far from the attractions of Rome like the Trevi Fountain, Castel Sant’Angelo and the Colosseum — at least via car.

The hotel offers a shuttle that runs to central Rome hourly from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., but note that it only runs April through October, doesn’t run on Sundays or holidays, and takes a three-hour break during its running times. In other words, it’s not the most convenient way to get into town.

I did walk a few times from the hotel to the Vatican City area and back. If you are into long hikes, it’s about an hour each way. 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

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.

The room came in at more than 500 square feet with a balcony and a living area.

The terrace had two chairs, and views of the residential area across the road as well as a large telecommunications tower. Below, you could see an expansive lawn with some of the hotel’s sculptures.

The royal blue carpeting was broken up with gold-trimmed patterns that evoked more of a Las Vegas casino feel than Roman elegance, but I could see what they were going for. Light wood furniture and room dividers were well-cared for and lightened the vibe of the otherwise heavy designs.

There was a king-size bed with luxurious white linens, along with plenty of other living and working space. There was even a “pillow menu” to order various types of pillow filling, such as a buckwheat husk pillow, a down bolster and more.

I snapped a few photos of the room across the hall while the housekeepers were cleaning, and you can see the difference the view makes in the gallery below.

The room was filled with Roman artwork and other heavy and dated design touches.

I was greeted with a box of chocolates along with three bottles of sparkling and still water. They also had Champagne waiting for me, but I asked them to exchange it for Coke Zero on ice, which they happily did. Housekeeping regularly kept bottles of Bolle mineral water stocked in the room.

The room also had a Nespresso coffee machine, a tea kettle, Villeroy & Boch dishware, and constantly replenished coffee pods and creamers.

A minifridge underneath held miniature liquors plus beer, Acqua Panna Italian sparkling water, Red Bull, Coke products and a few small bottles of wine.

There was plenty of storage with several cabinets and a somewhat large closet. Inside, there were wooden hangers, a safe and some extra bedding.

The elegant cherry wood desk had plenty of space to work during my stay. Wi-Fi was fast enough to stream Netflix.

There were outlets above the desk framed in gold. Indeed, there were plentiful outlets throughout the room. Some of the plugs work with American prongs, but you may need to ask the front desk for adapters if you forget to bring some universal adapters of your own.

A nice-size bathroom contained a single sink, a shower and bathtub combo, a bidet, and a little seating area. It was all made from Roman travertine marble. The inlaid flooring design was a nice touch.

The amenities by Acqua di Parma were nice, though they were heavily scented with a citrusy, floral fragrance that got a bit tired by the time I left. There were also extra dental kits, mouthwash, lotion and cotton swabs in the bathroom.

I’m not a huge fan of the shower-tub combo in hotel rooms. The half-glass-walled shower also made for a messy bathroom floor during showers, but the water pressure was excellent.

The plush Pedersoli Milano’s LaSpugna bathrobes were a nice touch.

The room was large, especially 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 Hotel

There are plenty of dining options on-site, including poolside dining at Uliveto and La Pergola, Rome’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant.

Uliveto

Uliveto is the hotel’s main restaurant next door to the pool with indoor and outdoor seating. It features Mediterranean and international cuisine with regional Italian dishes, and is open for both breakfast and dinner. I loved the alfresco dining experience; the hosts and waiters were friendly, and service was prompt and efficient.

The breakfast buffet came free as one of the best benefits of top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, saving me $52 per day. 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.

The room next door was filled with multiple tables full of food, including fried eggs, omelets, hard-boiled eggs and various meats.

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. It was exceptional, if a bit pricey.

I started with broccoli ripassati as an appetizer for $13 and paired it with a delicious pasta called pici all’arrabbiata for $25. Both dishes were among the best I enjoyed during my stay in Italy.

Note there is a cover charge of $5.50 per person for dinner, which seems silly to me.

La Pergola

Speaking of silly, Rome Cavalieri’s fancy rooftop restaurant is La Pergola, where I was treated pretty shabbily. It was partially my fault because I didn’t make reservations prior to my visit, but the host was downright rude when I showed up to ask about being added to the waitlist. Despite the fact the restaurant wasn’t even open for the evening yet, she insisted I put on a blazer before I could even take a look inside the empty restaurant.

I was happy to dress up, but when I returned I was told I wouldn’t be allowed to photograph even the main restaurant seating area. She also noted that while I was on the waitlist for dinner, they were fully booked. I was able to take some photos of the impressive views from the terrace and the bar area of the restaurant before she shooed me away. It left a pretty bad taste in my mouth.

That said, if you are able to get reservations, the restaurant gets good recommendations for the food. The water list alone has 45 options, and there are some 70,000 bottles of wine to choose from. The chef here is Heinz Beck and the restaurant recently got a major renovation and overhaul. La Pergola is open for dinner only Tuesdays through Saturdays. Reservations open four months in advance. To give you an idea of prices, a seven-course meal is $325, and an a la carte three-course meal will cost you $253.

Tiepelo Lounge & Terrace

On the other side of the decadent lobby, you’ll find Tiepelo Lounge & Terrace, which is open all day and into the night and named for the artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Three of his rococo-style paintings adorn the hotel’s walls.

The bar features live jazz or piano music in the evenings. The menu is full of comfort food, and I had a delicious pizza one evening. The bar serves everything from morning espresso to evening nightcaps with prompt and friendly service.

The Pool Bar

Adjacent to the pool is The Pool Bar, offering a covered area to sit and dine. They also deliver drinks and light bites to people enjoying time in the sun by the pool. Service was excellent, though prices are high. I paid $31 for a tasty Caesar salad with grilled chicken and a whopping $11 for a soft drink.

Room service is also available with offerings mirroring Uliveto exactly. 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

When I think of the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, what I really remember is the amenities. Not only does it have Roman baths, clay tennis courts, walking paths and several large terraces, but the resort also has no fewer than four swimming pools, including an indoor pool.

That interior pool is the perfect spot to hang out in the winter when the rest of the swimming pools are closed for the season.

There was never a shortage of pool chairs or places to sit or lie down, even during peak sunbathing hours.

The swimming pool was one of the most popular spots in the hotel, filled with guests from all over. I loved the pool because, unlike many modern pools, it had a deep end; it was nice to dive down in the perfectly cooled water.

The hotel has two small pools ideal for children, plus a kids club in the summer with activities like pizza making.

Pets are also welcome, and I saw several adorable dogs, including a little dachshund who seemed to be a bit of a mascot, creating a stir wherever he went.

The spa at Rome Cavalieri channels Roman baths

You can hit up the Cavalieri Grand Spa Club for a massage, facial, hair treatment or other service. I enjoyed a wonderful massage at the spa on my first day at the hotel; that $200 resort credit from my Hilton card came in handy here. 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.

I spent at least an hour a day during my visit using the spa facilities. There is a huge co-ed hot tub and a steam room, a relaxation room, and separate sauna and locker rooms divided by gender.

There’s also a separate seating area with a Nespresso machine, ice water and a few snacks available for spa guests.

Thanks to my Hilton Honors status, I didn’t pay to use the facilities, but guests who don’t book treatments and without status will have to pay $42 a day to use the spa.

Fitness fanatics will love the large, well-appointed gym

The Rome Cavalieri has a massive and recently updated gym. It offers a giant selection of cardio equipment like treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical machines, and dozens of machines and free weights of all kinds. Even when the gym was crowded, it never felt full, and there were machines available.

Reasons Rome Cavalieri may not be for you

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

The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel is fully wheelchair accessible. It has accessible rooms, wide doors and hallways, accessible elevators, and a whole list of other amenities. I found space to be one of the best parts of the hotel, and lots of large areas felt especially accommodating. 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

The Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel has a lot going for it. It’s a fabulous option for those with Hilton free night certificates or Hilton Honors points burning a hole in their pocket, assuming you can book for 100,000 points a night or less. I loved being able to use the swimming pools, the incredible spa and baths, and the various lounging areas. 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. Don’t expect to get a ton of Hilton Honors perks, even with top-tier status, and the service didn’t quite live up to a true luxury hotel experience. 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. I would go back if the price were right, especially if I had more free night certificates to use.

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