A midcentury jewel inaugurated by Conrad Hilton in 1963, Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, crowns a verdant hill high above the center of Italy’s capital city. Since its opening during the height of Italian film’s golden age, the hotel has attracted movie stars and their ilk to its oasis-like setting. The Mad Men series even took advantage of the Cavalieri’s modular design in season three, when Don and Betty Draper reveled in the opulent Petronius Suite in an attempt to patch up their marriage. Today’s real-life celebrity guests — George Clooney, Michelle Obama and Leonardo DiCaprio, to name a few — are attracted by Michelin-star dining, a lavish spa, a historic art collection and stunning views, proving the Cavalieri has evolved with the times in five-star luxury style.
Photography provided by Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Setting
Perched dramatically atop Monte Mario, the highest of Rome’s famed hills, the Cavalieri reigns over fifteen acres of park-like surroundings with panoramic views that overlook landmarks such as the Trinità dei Monti church at the top of the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum, the Victor Emmanuel monument and St. Peter’s Basilica with the naked eye. A respite from Rome’s bustling center, it’s quiet, luxurious and only minutes away by hotel shuttle or taxi. The Cavalieri is a luxury resort equally welcoming to VIPs in need of a recharge or a family on holiday in the Eternal City.
Vibe
The 60s look of the exterior belies the timelessness of the hotel’s interior. At every turn there’s museum-quality art and antiques. The Tiepolo Lounge and Terrace takes its name from the Venetian master’s 17th-century paintings adorning its walls. The hotel houses one of the greatest art collections in the world, and yet sipping a Negroni inside or on the terrace does not feel stuffy. The Olympic-size pool is frequented by Rome’s elite, who have been flocking there since day one as a reprieve from hot Roman days. Lunch and an aperitivo can be enjoyed poolside.
Amenities
The Cavalieri Grand Spa Club transports guests to the sybaritic aesthetic of ancient Roman baths like Caracalla. Clad in marble and abounding in relaxing pools of varying temperatures, you can unwind like a citizen of Rome circa 212 AD. Massage, facial and wellness-focused treatments use Natura Bissé products for a radiant glow, while Acqua di Parma amenities lend a touch of Italian elegance to the Carrara marble bathrooms in each guest room. No one is more welcome in Italy than children traveling with their families, and the Cavalieri provides a deluxe kids’ program with an exclusive treat and a supervised play area, complete with organized activities to engage small guests.
The Rooms
The hotel boasts 345 guest rooms, 25 suites and the Imperial Club. Three vast suites offer distinct experiences: the Petronius Suite, sumptuous in silk and velvet and adorned with masterworks and antiques, is fit for an emperor; the Penthouse Suite offers extraordinary views from a rooftop terrace where you can marvel at the panorama from the hot tub or host a party; and the Planetarium Suite’s large terrace with hot tub overlooks Rome from a more relaxed setting. The Imperial Club’s private elevator whisks guests to the seventh-floor lounge and terrace, where buffet-style sustenance is available throughout the day. The Cavalieri is currently embarking on a two-year refresh of its rooms and suites, with renowned design firm Tihany Design taking the lead. Implemented in phases that will allow the hotel to remain open throughout, the refresh will elevate and lighten the look of each room with new decor and amenities.
Dining
Uliveto Restaurant and Terrace offers indoor/outdoor dining that prioritizes fresh, seasonal ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner in creatively authentic culinary iterations. Whole fish baked in salt and served tableside is a must for a seafood lover’s dinner; let Uliveto’s sommeliers recommend the ideal wine pairing for an unforgettable meal. Rome’s only three-star Michelin restaurant, La Pergola, graces the hotel rooftop with chef Heinz Beck at the helm, making the Cavalieri a star attraction that put Rome on the gastronomical map when it opened in 1994 under the visionary direction of then-manager Hans Fritz. Today this destination dining spot sports a new architectural design that welcomes foodies from around the world to immerse themselves in the pleasures of rarefied Mediterranean cuisine.
