Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

"Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel set on 15 acres with views to St. Peter’s, is both a lavish escape and a perfect city-break address. The lack of neighborhood action is more than made up for by a world-class art collection and La Pergola, the only three-Michelin star restaurant in the capital. Arriving at the Cavalieri feels a bit like stepping into Rome’s bygone era, a time of endless manicured gardens, cheery butlers, and azure swimming pools where cocktails can be taken at any time of the day, darling. The swimming pools are as close to outdoor swimming as it gets in Rome, ensconced among hundreds of acres of greenery. It’s perfect for a post-sightseeing paddle and, best of all, the smartly dressed waiters bring you trays of ice-cold cocktails while you sunbathe. Room service gets a makeover at the Rome Cavalieri—there’s the fifteen course Imperial Breakfast, complete with quail eggs, black truffles, and pineapple carpaccio—or the silver service lobster, which comes with a side order of 500 white roses. Fashion mavericks can even learn how to make their own Italian sandals from a Roman shoemaker—just remember to unleash your inner Italian superstar and add some clunky diamanté bling to your new toe tappers." - Maresa Manara

"How did it strike you on arrival?Arriving at the Rome Cavalieri feels a bit like stepping into Rome’s bygone era, a time of endless manicured gardens, cheery butlers, and azure swimming pools where cocktails can be taken at any time of the day, darling. Nice. What’s the crowd like?There are plenty of group travelers here, and couples, too—think dapper men in chinos and linen, women in big hats and sunglasses. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.The Vista Suite comes with plenty of holiday treats. But first, the abode: it’s all very grand, with plush patterned carpet in royal blue and big golden columns. There’s an adjoining common room, too, and a terrace overlooking the city. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?The bed is lose-yourself-in-it big, with silky soft bed linen. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.The bathroom is made of marble, with an utterly civilized separate shower and bath. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Wi-Fi is strong, and the basic package is free. Room service: Worth it?Room service gets a makeover at the Rome Cavalieri—there’s the fifteen course Imperial Breakfast, complete with quail eggs, black truffles, and pineapple carpaccio—or the silver service lobster, which comes with a side order of 500 white roses. If you’ve got cabin fever, book a lazy brunch at L’Uliveto or try some pretty, artistic plates at Heinz Beck’s recently redesigned La Pergola, the only three-Michelin star restaurant in the capital. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.The swimming pools are as close to outdoor swimming as it gets in Rome, ensconced among hundreds of hectares of gardens. It’s perfect for a post-sightseeing paddle and, best of all, the smartly-dressed waiters bring you trays of ice-cold Negronis while you sunbathe. Guests in the Vista and Corner Suites get a few extra special treats, like a luxury picnic in the park, complete with your own butler, a massage, and a couples’ yoga session. Fashion mavericks can even learn how to make their own Italian sandals from a Roman shoemaker—just remember to unleash your inner Italian superstar and add some clunky diamanté bling to your new toe tappers." - Maresa Manara

"The Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, sits atop Rome’s highest hill, Monte Mario. And the hotel is wise enough to place terraces outside of each of the rooms. Come morning I would take my coffee outside, and watch the flaming pink sun rise over the entire city, lying low and thin before me, in the distance. I’d play a game, thinking of any of Rome’s monuments and frantically running my eyes across the skyline, jumping from the Wedding Cake to the Vatican to Castello St Angelo to the Coliseum to see how fast I could locate them, and in so doing, map out my day ahead (bonus, the hotel’s utterly divine Olympic pool is also visible, and during my August stay I would simultaneously plot my journey from Monti to Piazza Navona to Piazza del Fico, making sure I could fit everything in by 3 p.m. so that I had plenty of time to enjoy that pool after a scorching hot day rummaging around the town. Reward indeed). We have a tendency to think the more central the location the better. But the Cavalieri, for me, defies that. Taking in all of Rome from a singular vantage point felt like an experience in itself, the layers of eras and histories built into the city on full, glorious display. And made me so excited to plan out ambitious days ahead. With pool breaks built in, of course."

"Commission custom cashmere pet sweaters and other personalized accessories." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"The Rome Cavalieri, like the Hassler and St. Regis, is synonymous with five-star luxury in Rome . The hotel, opened in the 1960s, channels a Versailles-meets–Dolce Vita vibe, and given its unbridled opulence, it’s a top destination for honeymooners and jet-setters seeking the ultimate comforts. Its location atop Montemario, a hillside residential district north of the Vatican, offers spectacular views of the city from various terraced levels and many of the rooms. The very location, affording such panoramas, is also a drawback for travelers wishing to be in the thick of it all, so the Rome Cavalieri is best suited to those who relish spending significant time in the hotel rather than out on the town. There are plenty of appealing amenities for guests who choose to stick around the property. The outdoor pools, the finest in Rome, are set amid lush gardens. The pool area doubles as a sort of private club for local elite and is ripe for Italian athlete and celebrity sightings. Back inside, the lobby and rooms are sumptuously furnished and feature antiques and original works of art."