Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
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"A luxurious stay with a few surprises"
The property is absolutely stunning, offering fantastic amenities and beautifully opulent rooms. While we knew the location was somewhat removed from the main town, it felt a bit more remote than anticipated. The only notable downside was a slight musty smell in the room.
"Waldorf Astoria luxury"
We absolutely loved breakfast upstairs on the 7th floor. The space is open throughout the day for coffee, juice, and cappuccino, with pastries and a variety of breakfast offerings served at set times. The atmosphere is calm, serene, and incredibly relaxing. The staff deserve a full 5 stars—attentive, kind, and genuinely welcoming. And then there’s Jonathan 🐦 A one-legged seagull who has apparently lived there for over 10 years. Jonathan is beloved by the staff and truly part of the hotel’s character. He even allowed me to gently place food on the ledge—very slowly and respectfully. A fan of salmon 🍣, naturally. It instantly brought back memories of Jonathan Livingston Seagull from the 1970s. A special and unforgettable touch. Housekeeping was absolutely world class—another 5-star experience. We had overpacked and chose to leave some warm sweaters behind in the room upon checkout for anyone who could use them, as a small thank-you gesture. Breakfast itself was excellent, with especially memorable cappuccinos. A special mention to Monique, a Filipino staff member whose service went above and beyond—truly exceptional. The spa was outstanding—easily world-class and beyond 5 stars 🌍. It was never crowded; even the pool had no more than four people when I visited. My massage was exceptional, delivered by a tall therapist with advanced pressure-point expertise. I would rate her a 10/10—twice over. The sauna and warm baths were equally wonderful and deeply relaxing. An unforgettable stay defined by tranquility, exceptional service, and thoughtful details at every turn.
"A great but expensive experience"
Everything about this hotel reflects class and luxury. We stayed here for three nights as guests and spent a total of seven days on property while working at a large event. The room was fantastic—exceptionally clean, quiet, and comfortable, with shutters and an additional door that ensured complete darkness and peaceful sleep. Housekeeping was impeccable, even folding clothes, and both the air conditioning and the bed were excellent. The bathroom, however, felt quite classic and outdated, and showering in the bathtub was inconvenient due to very slow drainage. Breakfast was outstanding: fresh, well-organized, and plentiful, with the option to order freshly made juices and additional menu items. The staff were extremely friendly and consistently made sure our group had two large tables reserved outside each morning. We had mixed experiences with dining. Dinner at the outdoor bar on the ground floor was disappointing in terms of value—€25 for a dry burger and €75 for a simple bottle of wine felt excessive. Service was inattentive, requiring effort to get staff attention, and while the view was beautiful, the live music was too loud. In contrast, dinner at the downstairs restaurant—reachable by golf cart—was excellent. The Italian ambiance was wonderful, service was very good, and the food quality was high. It was pricey, with main courses averaging around €50, and the wine selection could have been better, but the overall atmosphere made it a memorable experience. Food served in the conference area was only moderate, with repetitive offerings and issues such as overly salty baked pasta from warming trays. Overall, the hotel staff were extremely kind and helpful, and the stay was very comfortable. With some improvements to certain dining experiences and facilities, this hotel could be truly outstanding.
"Love this Hotel"
We stayed at the Waldorf after a cruise and could not have been happier with our experience. Our room was stunning, with a beautiful view that made our stay even more special. The pool area was absolutely gorgeous and provided a perfect place to relax. Breakfasts were excellent, and the coffee was truly fantastic. Every member of the Waldorf team was wonderful—friendly, professional, and genuinely welcoming throughout our stay. We also enjoyed a fantastic dinner overlooking the pool, which was the perfect way to end our evenings. Overall, the Waldorf delivered an exceptional experience, and we would happily stay here again.
"Beautiful compound, rooms and public spaces need a renovation urgently"
While the grounds are beautiful and the property itself is lovely, the rooms are clearly overdue for renovation. The furniture feels dated, the carpets have an unpleasant smell, and the woodwork needs attention. Breakfast downstairs is very hectic, although the pool is nice and the gym is good. The spa, however, lacks a sense of privacy. That said, the staff are genuinely lovely and remain the highlight of the stay.
"I wanted to love this property so much… but too many little things that just weren’t right."
The hotel undeniably carries a rich historical significance, having been opened by Conrad Hilton himself. Over the years, it has welcomed some of the world’s most distinguished dignitaries, including US President Barack Obama, as well as numerous celebrities. From the moment you step into the grand lobby, you are transported back to an era when luxury hotels set themselves apart with opulent decor and exquisite furnishings. Yet, despite its historic charm and beauty, I found myself repeatedly trying to excuse the shortcomings during our stay, until eventually I gave up. Starting with the positives, we were warmly welcomed by Nicola at reception, and this was the first—and unfortunately, the last—time we experienced truly above-and-beyond service. Check-in was smooth, and he made my family and me feel genuinely at home. Our first night’s room service was fast, and the food was exceptional—the hamburger, in particular, was among the best I’ve had in a long time. The view from our room was spectacular, which was a major selling point for this property. For those planning to explore the city, the hotel offers a shuttle to the city center, though walking to major attractions requires a bit of effort as the hotel is perched atop a hill. However, there were several issues that significantly impacted our experience. While the initial room service was excellent, there was no clear menu in the room. I had to call the operator to inquire about items, eventually landing on a cheeseburger and a margherita pizza. The TV menu was glitchy, and it wasn’t until the second night that I noticed a small QR code providing access to the full room service menu and ordering system, which itself was prone to glitches. On one occasion, a bottle of sparkling water was missing from our order, and retrieving it took nearly 30 minutes, leaving our meal cold. The room itself was not up to standard upon arrival. There were stains on the walls and in the bathroom, and masking tape was still attached to the ceiling, suggesting unfinished painting. Housekeeping did improve the room’s cleanliness during our stay, but the initial impression was far from the pristine conditions expected at a luxury property. The bathroom presented ongoing challenges. The toilet frequently failed to flush properly, sometimes working only intermittently. Despite reporting the issue via text and at the front desk, it was never fully resolved, leaving us frustrated with repeated interruptions, especially with three people sharing one bathroom. Staff throughout the property seemed disengaged, which was particularly noticeable at checkout. The clerk handed me the receipt abruptly, stating, “You better check everything now, because we won’t allow any dispute once you leave,” without any courtesy or inquiry about our stay. It was a disappointing way to conclude what could have been a memorable visit. Initially, I tried to rationalize the problems, attributing them to busy periods or special events, but ultimately, this is a Waldorf Astoria property, and such excuses should not be necessary. Next time, I will choose the Aleph Rome, a Curio Collection by Hilton hotel. Having finally stayed here, I now know to avoid repeating the same mistake.
"Very nice / spacious rooms but beware – it’s way off the beaten path"
We enjoyed our time at the Waldorf and appreciated the spacious rooms with lovely views of the city. We stayed in a Queen Imperial room with a rollaway bed for one of our adult children, and both the main bed and rollaway were very comfortable. Overall, we truly loved our room, and the staff throughout the hotel were friendly, professional, and attentive. The bathroom was a standout feature—exceptionally spacious and thoughtfully designed. Traveling with two adult daughters, we especially appreciated the high-quality blow dryer and the separate vanity with seating in addition to the main sink, which is not easy to find in Rome. We dined at Uliveto on our first night and received excellent service. While the food was decent, we ultimately preferred dining in the city for the rest of our stay. We also ordered room service for dessert one evening and were impressed by the fast service and good quality. The kitchen staff were especially attentive and knowledgeable when it came to food allergies, which we greatly appreciated. There were, however, a few downsides. The hotel is perched on a hill about 10–15 minutes outside the main city center. While the complimentary hotel shuttle is very nice, it only runs until around 9:30 p.m. If you plan to stay out later, taxis or Ubers are required. For our group of five, transportation costs added up quickly and should definitely be factored into the overall budget. The on-site amenities were also somewhat limited. There are a few shops, but they are not particularly well appointed, and there is nothing within walking distance since the hotel is located in a residential area. Once you return to the property, you are essentially in a bubble. As guests in an Imperial room, we had access to a private lounge offering a hosted buffet breakfast, a light lunch, and daily appetizers. The lounge itself is lovely, and while the breakfast was decent, it was not exceptional. The light lunch was extremely minimal—best suited for a casual snack rather than a meal. Overall, it was a pleasant space to enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or prosecco and relax, but not much more than that. One policy we found off-putting was the strict rule prohibiting guests from taking any food or beverages out of the Imperial lounge. Even a half-finished glass of prosecco had to be consumed and returned before leaving. At one point, my father wasn’t feeling well and my mother asked to bring him some soup, but this was not permitted. If we return to Rome, we would likely choose a more centrally located hotel, even if it meant sacrificing some space, for the convenience of being closer to the city’s main attractions.
"How to start the day in the best way"
If you are staying at the Cavalieri, you cannot start your day without enjoying a hearty breakfast at the Uliveto Restaurant. From sweet to savoury, the selection is wide, varied, and consistently high in quality. The service is impeccable. The staff are attentive and intuitive, quickly learning your preferences and making you feel truly at home. A special mention to Gianluca for his warm welcome, and to Bob and Damiano for their kindness and professionalism — they ensure every morning begins on the right note. This is hospitality at its best: professional, attentive, and genuinely warm in every sense. Impossible not to want to return.
"FALLS SHORT IN A FEW AREAS…."
This is a beautiful hotel that clearly caters to large groups. I booked my stay as an American Express Platinum Card Holder, and the included amenities were a nice bonus—particularly the $100 property credit and late checkout (though I didn’t end up taking advantage of the latter). The chocolates delivered to the room were a thoughtful and elegant touch. Unfortunately, there were a few notable issues during my stay. The television in my room was broken, and while a repair technician spent nearly two hours trying to fix it, the issue was never resolved. Additionally, my lunch on the terrace was quite literally taken over by three pigeons. To the hotel’s credit, once I presented photos and the technician alerted management, the lunch was kindly removed from my bill. On a more positive note, the spa services were excellent, and both the indoor and outdoor pools were truly top notch—definitely highlights of the property. Overall, while the hotel is undeniably lovely and offers high-quality facilities, I do not feel it justifies the very high price point. I redeemed points for my stay, which made the experience worthwhile, but had I paid full price, I would have been disappointed.
"Our third experience in this beautiful hotel."
Since discovering the Cavalieri Hotel, we have never been able to change our destination. Year after year, we return to enjoy a wonderful holiday, always pampered by the exceptional service of this extraordinary property. We already look forward to our next visit. Thank you 😊
Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
A luxurious resort-style property perched atop Monte Mario with lush gardens, world-class spa, and panoramic views over Rome. A bit removed from the ancient center but ideal for relaxing indulgence.
Address
Via Alberto Cadlolo 101, 00136 Rome Italy
Website
www.tripadvisor.in
Email
www.tripadvisor.in
Telephone
00 91 180 365 1818