Hotel: Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel (Rome, Italy)
Stay: October 2022
How I paid: Hilton Free Night Rewards for three nights; cash a little over €600 a night
Status: Hilton Honors Diamond
Perks: front desk said they had upgraded the room one or two categories; complimentary breakfast for two, buffet; complimentary gym and pool

After check-in, a small welcome of sugar cubes was waiting in the room. At checkout they also handed over a dessert box printed with the hotel’s mark.

The hotel is about a 15- to 20-minute drive from the city centre. A complimentary shuttle runs every day to a fixed stop downtown. You can also ask the driver to drop you earlier along the route. The airport is about 50 minutes away.

Rome Cavalieri hotel sign

The hotel sign and the exterior

Rome Cavalieri entrance
Rome Cavalieri exterior

On arrival the outside looked fairly ordinary. The lobby was a different story: grand, and very Roman. The décor leans on history and art.

The corridor toward the meeting rooms feels like a gallery, with portraits and sculptures throughout.

The lounge areas are comfortable too. After dinner there is piano music in the evening.

There is also a small shop for suits and clothing, and it is nicely done.

The antique chairs around the elevator corner are not for sitting.

After check-in I reached the room, and the night view from the balcony was the first thing I saw.

Inside the room

After a night’s rest you can take breakfast indoors or by the outdoor pool. There is a wide choice of hot and cold dishes. The fruit is plated in a way that actually makes you want to eat it. On a bright morning, a light breakfast here really does mean all the fruit you want.

The hotel is well equipped. Besides the pool and gym, there is a spa.

Rome Cavalieri pool

The shuttle shows up at the door on time every day. Hop on, and the next day’s sightseeing starts right there.

The verdict

Overall it was a very good stay. You are a bit away from the tourist core, but the complimentary shuttle covers that. It is not like the Crowne Plaza I stayed at, where the ride into town still cost money.

The staff were warm and polite, and they moved quickly when something went wrong. We had a noise problem during the stay, and the front desk opened another room for us to sleep in.

If I go back to Rome, this hotel would still be in the mix.