Stay Report: Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel (King Imperial Room with Rome View)

Tiepolo Bar (lounge and bar)

Uliveto (Italian/international restaurant)

Pool Bar (bar)

Patio 101 (alfresco dining)

Those who seek a restorative resort getaway experience in between their moments of Roman gallivanting will appreciate the Rome Cavalieri’s expansive wellness facilities, from the indoor and outdoor pools to the luxurious Cavalieri Grand Spa Club facilities (there’s an amethyst Turkish bath as well as hot and cold plunge pools). I appreciated the pampering Acqua di Parma shower amenities available in the guest rooms.

The hotel is a living museum of beautiful and dramatic sculptures, paintings and artworks. You see them near the elevators, within the shopping arcade, in the hotel lobby and even on the lush lawn spaces overlooking the outdoor swimming pool.

I appreciated the evening live music performances at Tiepolo Bar, and will admit to singing along to Gabrielle’s “Out of Reach” a tad too loudly whilst sipping on my Old Fashioned (it wasn’t my first drink of the night) and watching couples holding each other close and swaying right there in the lobby area.

The hotel has pretty impressive restaurants, namely the capital’s only three-Michelin star restaurant, La Pergola, as well as the new Patio 101 outdoor dining experience. My dinner at Patio 101 was exceptional. From the lobby, we were ferried by buggy to the poolside patio space, which gave our arrival a certain sense of occasion. The alfresco venue plays it all breathtaking hilltop views, fairy lighting and a champagne-charged energy in the air. The vibes evolved as the evening progressed – while the skies were still bright, we enjoyed fizzy conversation over Moët champagne, Oysters On Ice and Sautéed Mixed Shellfish (white wine, fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, grilled bread), and after nightfall, the atmosphere was more intimate, rustic and almost like we were in someone’s backyard enjoying a smoky barbecue. The “Porchetta” And Potatoes Pizza (roasted Roman style pork, potatoes, rosemary) was a hearty delight, while the Giant Prawns (marinated giant prawns with citrus, olives, piment d’Espelette) were the succulent and sweet.

Built in 1963 and with its guest rooms last renovated in 2014, the hotel presents a very era-specific brand of opulence. Those who seek more modern expressions of luxury may prefer the stylings of newer hotels such as The Rome EDITION.

Breakfast service at Uliveto was fairly lacklustre and uninspired, with the highlight being the centrifuge station serving an assortment of fresh juices.

The Imperial Club on the 7th level – accessible by only those who booked Imperial category rooms and above and not Hilton Honors Diamond guests – had surprisingly limited and modest offerings during breakfast and evening cocktail service, being a buffet affair for the former (think cold cuts, eggs and cakes) and a prosecco-led canape situation with a variety of classic cocktails for the latter. Beautiful views from the outdoor balcony seats, mind.

While the Hilton Honors point redemption values for hotels in Italy are often on the higher side, I managed to book my nights at the Rome Cavalieri for 80,000 points per night.