Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

The Rome Cavalieri attracts well-heeled, international travelers who want a resort experience at an established chain hotel. The curved masonry facade of the circa-1960s building is softened with plants on the balconies. The property includes gardens with formal paths and lawn beds with plants and waist-high sculptures of lions. The grounds include a pool with city views and chic lounge chairs. There's also umbrella tables at a poolside restaurant. The vast lobby has bright lights under a shiny, ribbed ceiling and numerous seating areas with flocked upholstery and marble coffee tables. The property includes its own art gallery, expanding on the many large-format oils in the lobby. It's a big, brash hotel with ostentatious gilt-edged sculptures and fussy draperies.

The Rome Cavalieri is in the Trionfale section of the city, a hilly area in the north of Rome, just east of the Piazza deglo Eroi and a few blocks north of the Vatican's northern wall. That said, St. Peter's Basilica is a hike: 45 minutes on foot; but it can also be reached in 33 minutes by public transportation or a 17-minute car ride. The Parco D. Stadio is a 15-minute walk and the busy Trionfale Market is a five-minute drive from the hotel. The Pantheon is a 22-minute drive or a 44-minute train ride. The Roman Forum is a 25-minute drive or a 51-minute train ride; from there, the Coliseum is a ten-minute walk. Termini Station is 25 minutes by car and 40 minutes by public transportation, while Fiumicino Airport is 38 minutes away by car or 84 minutes by public transportation. The hotel also offers a free shuttle to central Rome.

Guest rooms at the Rome Cavalieri have big windows and terraces with views over the city of Rome. The decor is traditional and plush, with patterned carpeting and walls painted in creams and yellows with white trim. Upholstered furniture pieces are clustered around marble-topped coffee tables and many rooms have terraces with wrought-iron furniture and striped cushions. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, DVD players, safes, and minibars; and robes, slippers, umbrellas, and free newspapers are provided. There is a fee for Wi-Fi, except for Hilton Rewards Gold members. Bathrooms are bright and cheerful, with marble countertops, big mirrors, terry-cloth-upholstered chairs, and shower/tub combos.

The amenities at Rome Cavalieri go for full-tilt luxury. The Rome Cavalieri has two restaurants with room service and all-day dining: La Pergola, which offers classic Italian cuisine, and L'Uliveto, which is housed in the garden next to the outdoor pool. There's also a bar in the lobby, plus gift shops and an art gallery. There are four pools in total, including one for children, an atrium-covered pool, and a splash pool in the sprawling Grand Spa Club, which also features a sauna and a Turkish bath. An extensive fitness center holds yoga and Pilates studios, and there's two David Cup tennis courts on the grounds. For business travelers, there's a large conference center and 23 meeting rooms, as well as audiovisual equipment for rent. Children under 12 stay free, and there's a children's club on-site as well. The front desk is staffed 24 hours and has a safe. Pets, with restrictions, are allowed.