One of the many things that makes Rome so enchanting (besides the abundance of pasta) is that it’s a city built on a city. Thanks to over 3,000 years of ad-lib urban development, the cityscape is one of the most incredible spectacles in the world, with millions of people coming to Rome each year for a glimpse of the hot-blooded capital's breathtaking ruins, monumental basilicas and awe-inspiring Renaissance architecture. Read on to discover why a stay at Rome Cavalieri, one of the city’s chicest retreats, promises the chance to soak up the capital's most epic vistas.
Photography: Rome Cavalieri
Such Great Heights
Situated in a 15-acre private Mediterranean Park overlooking Rome and the Vatican City, this prestigious property (it’s a Waldorf dahhhling) is one of the best places in the capital to look out to the city’s rolling hills and heady mix of history and modernity. Other breathtaking sights worth checking out? The hotel’s art collection, which features more than 1,000 privately-owned paintings, tapestries, and antiques which you’ll find peppered throughout Cavalieri’s communal spaces. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Giovanni Battista Tiepolo masterpiece in the lobby (purchased for a cool eight million euros), Andy Warhol’s famous Dollar Signs, as well as Nureyev’s ballet costumes encased in glass which hang beside the 7th floor elevators. Best of all, each of the 345 rooms come with their own terrace, which means, if you’re anything like us, you’ll choose to enjoy Rome’s cityscape in the comfort of a fluffy hotel bathrobe.
Photography: Rome Cavalieri | Cat Williams
La Pergola
On the top floor of Rome Cavalieri sits its crown jewel: the only-three Michelin starred restaurant in the capital, La Pergola. Helmed by chef Heinz Beck, a meal here is more than just sustenance, it’s a spectacle, from the panoramic terrace (you’ll dine looking at to the glittering Roman skyline. The night I was there we even saw a magical explosion of fireworks) to the extravagant service (the sommelier arrives to your table with not one, but two menus: a water and wine menu). The food follows suit, with both an a la carte and tasting menu (6 or 9 courses) available which features gourmet Mediterranean cuisine such as Beck’s famed ‘Fagotelli La Pergola’ (little square parcels of pasta filled with a mousseline of pecorino cheese). Insider tip: Make sure to book dinner here weeks in advance of your stay---for there’s often a month-long waiting list.
Photography: Rome Cavalieri
When in Rome
If you’re looking for a unique way to explore Rome, the hotel can arrange a variety of activities focusing on art, culture, and food through their concierge service. Here’s three not to be missed:
1. Vespa Tour
Snaking your way through Roman traffic provides a unique vantage point from which discover Rome’s most iconic sites. Trust us, you’ll never be able to enjoy a walking tour again after experiencing this type of sightseeing. The hotel uses Bici & Baci, a touring company that offers a variety of rides and experiences throughout the city. What we particularly loved was that throughout the tour the personable drivers stop and share interesting historical facts about Rome with you.
Photography: Adam Szafranski | Paris in Four Months
2. Italian Sandal Experience
Recently, Rome Cavalieri teamed up with Le Mastro, a small family-run Italian shoe-making shop to offer an exclusive Italian sandal making experience. Let Francesca Latini and Giovanna D’Ulisse, two artisans with fashion backgrounds, guide you on how to measure, nail, and cobble together your own chic footwear. If anything, we suggest heading to this charming shop brimming with calfskin leather, colorful silk, and beautiful shoe sketches to browse their seductive, ready-to-buy custom-made heels and boots.
Photography: Dylan Essertier
3. Mercato Centrale
At Mercato Centrale you’ll find one of Rome’s most popular food markets, where 20-year-old truffles, homemade pasta, and two hundred different types of cheeses runneth over. With 15+ counters your dining options are endless, but don’t leave without trying some of Rome’s signature dishes including Alessandro Conti and Gabriele la Rocca’s fresh artichokes; cacio e pepe from Egidio Michelis, and Trapizzino (imagine a gourmet pizza pocket) from famed Stefano Callegari.
