GLASS has been always been excited by modern architecture and design, but we thought it was appropriate to take a look away from minimalist design hotels, for once, and see what else Europe has to offer. As with any trend or fashion perspective is key, so we faced the opposite direction, not towards the unfashionable, but in search of classic opulence. With this intention we headed to Rome, the home of lavish décor, to discover a hotel that is unapologetic in its dedication to plush hosting.
Rome Cavalieri perches regally on top of the Monte Mario hill, overlooking Italy’s capital and the Vatican City. Cavalieri, unlike most city hotels reclines in a 15 acre Mediterranean park while boasting a short drive from the city centre. Privacy is acheived through high hedges, rolls of lawns and outside areas that have been designed with seclusion in mind. Tiered sunbathing areas and outside cabanas with the sole intention of guests luxuriating in Vitamin D, give the feeling that this hotel is both smaller and more remote than its 350-plus rooms and close proximity to the rich art and fashion houses in the city below.
One of three exterior pools on at the Rome Cavalieri.
On arrival, opulence is bestowed with abundance. Polished stone floors frame a vast circular reception where a singular line of gold lifts wait at the ready to whisk you up to your room. Check-in is quick and efficient and after the reception, rooms don’t disappoint on our regal barometer. Blues and gold feature heavily and what is now considered to be an ‘old school’ layout (a well proportioned room whereby a two can comfortably stay, without feeling cramped for a respectable amount of time) includes comfort that doesn’t go unnoticed.
Hotels new to the industry should pay attention to classics like the Cavalieri – they’re here for a reason. They know comfort and service and are unafraid to stick to what they’re good at. Turn-down service thankfully hasn’t gone by the wayside here.
If the choice is there, snap up a Rome View room as waking up to a sunrise over the Eternal City will elevate your mornings even more than the pillow menu. Curtains are of course black out, so be sure to leave them slightly ajar to luxuriate in being woken up by the soft Italian light.
An Imperial King at the Rome Cavalieri.
Staying in and around the hotel would be an easy endeavor for a handful of days without tiring of the surroundings. The Grand Spa lives up to its namesake and yet ticks another box in our list of expectations, willing you to familiarise yourself with a La Prairie facial and afterwards, your swimsuit.
Coming up for air and back to dry land with culture in mind, there’s no less than three Tiepolo paintings housed in the Cavalieri’s art collection. An entire section of the ground floor is dedicated to the cause. It’s more than worth sitting in the Tiepolo bar ahead of dinner in La Pergola for an unparalleled aperitivo in the company of these large scale greats.
Heinz Beck directs the show upstairs in La Pergola – Rome’s only three Michelin-starred restaurant – and head sommelier Marco Reitano didn’t disappoint. Competing for the spotlight though were both water and salt sommeliers – an impressive 45 options for the former and eight of the latter. An introduction to black volcanic Hawaiian salt was an interesting counterpoint to the Italian centric menu.
For over four hours, unknowingly at the time, we were guided through the tasting menu that perfectly toes the line between drama and honest, well-constructed dishes. Good then that diners are cushioned by comfortably deep armchairs. The dining room itself is in keeping with the hotel’s Italian lux style, soft hues of beige combined with darker wood and gilded furnishings. With its exclusively small dining room framed by a panoramic windows it’s hard to guess how dining, attention to detail and location could be beaten. Reasons then for its long held three stars.
La Pergola, Rome’s only three Michelin starred restaurant and resident atop the Rome Cavalieri.
If one holds a strong aversion to gilded furniture and what can only be described as old-school glamour then perhaps skip Rome Cavalieri, but you will be missing out. The combination of location, service, attention to detail, a resort feel in a city hotel and Le Pergola to name a small handful of sturdy attributes makes, in our eyes, the Cavalieri a hotel to feel fondly about and one we hope to return to very soon.
by Stephanie Clair
Deluxe room residential view start from Euro 265.00 (fully flexible and room only). Imperial room residential views start from Euro 356.00 (fully flexible and room only). For reservations and enquiries, please visit the Rome Cavalieri site here
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