This is truly the hotel for old-fashioned Italian grandeur, a superb spa, 3* Michelin restaurant and wildly extravagant suites

The Rome Cavalieri has been the gathering place for the international haute monde since it first opened and has remained true to its decadent style in the fifty years since. For those who adore a sumptuous style comprising tufted velvet, wood panelling, gold leaf, works of art, antique tapestries and sculpture, then this is the ideal hotel for you. Levels of service are extremely high and guests who book suites can select from curated experiences tailored to your interests. A visit to the hotel’s excellent spa is a must and we recommend a private beauty or wellness treatment in one of the spa’s eight themed chromotherapy rooms.

Location

The hotel is perched on a hillside overlooking Rome and is set in 15 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds with wooded parkland, manicured gardens and three pools. The hotel provides a free hourly shuttle bus into the city centre for excursions but, quite honestly, with so much to do in the hotel itself we wouldn’t blame you if you never left the hotel.

Accommodation

Premium rooms have private balconies and some have views towards the city (reservable) whilst Deluxe rooms have private balconies and either park views or residential views (reservable). All have king or twin beds, a comfortable seating area, complimentary wifi and soundproofed doors. Imperial rooms are similar to premium/deluxe rooms with either park or residential views and include complimentary access to the hotel’s Imperial Club and Grand Spa Club.

A total of seven grand suites offer unprecedented views of the Eternal City and offer the very highest levels of service. All suite reservations include complimentary access to the hotel’s Imperial Club and breakfast can be served in the members only club lounge or on your terrace. We love the zany Planetarium suite with fibre optic ‘stars’ set into the ceiling above the bed, a retracting glass ceiling in the sitting room ceiling to reveal the sky and a private roof garden with jacuzzi overlooking St Peter’s basilica. A dining area with bar, large walk-in dressing room, extra large king-sized ‘floating’ bed and Swarovski crystal bathroom fixtures completes this extravagant suite.

Dining

Fine dining comes courtesy of La Pergola, Rome’s only restaurant with three Michelin stars, located on the panoramic top floor of the hotel and combining seasonal cuisine with truly breathtaking surroundings. Led by acclaimed chef Heinz Beck, dishes have included lobster on sweet potatoes with vegetable pinzimonio and smoked filet of veal on celery, carrot and tomato powder, as well as foie gras with chestnuts and figs, hare tortellini, and Saint Peter’s fish in a liquorice crust. The surroundings are adorned with incredible works of art including Sèvres porcelain, a rare Aubusson tapestry, paintings and a bronze candelabra from the 18th century. The wine cellar has over 60,000 bottles at any one time and the sommelier will be happy to assist you in your choice.

The hotel’s garden-level L’Uliveto Restaurant serves Mediterranean and pan-Italian dishes overlooking the beautiful pool and hosts a fabulous Sunday Brunch with a wide selection of choice and children even have their own entertainment corner. Breakfast on other mornings is equally superb and features freshly baked sweet and savoury pastries and tortes, eggs and bacon and coffee made to order.

For afternoon tea and some quiet reflection, head to the Tiepolo Lounge, where you can relax surrounded by a superlative art collection. In the evenings this is the place to come for cocktails and live jazz.

Spa

The enormous Grand Spa Club is considered one of the best in Italy and features La Prairie and Aromatherapy Associates products. It is open to all guests for a fee of €20 (£18), but those staying in Imperial Rooms and suites will enjoy entry to its glass-domed indoor pools, amethyst Turkish bath, hot tub, saunas and fitness centre for free.