Rome for me will forever be defined by the hotel I stayed in - the Hilton Cavalieri. Various other posters agree, but this is my best hotel experience in the world, by a long shot. The 3 main reasons why:
- I checked in as a Hilton Honors Diamond, so I had access to the executive floor and lounge. The lounge is like being in a full service bar - you can have the wait staff bring you anything you like, Cappucinos on demand, experiment with various flavored Martini's to see which one you like, water, juices, etc. Its well stocked with snacks - cucumber sandwiches, deserts, fish pieces, etc. Magazines and newspapers lying around, a big screen TV, and a remarkable view of Rome and the Vatican City.
- The room is outstanding. Hermes products in the bathroom, a huge bed of the perfect Hilton quality, a variety of pillows, and luxurious furnishings reminding you your at the heart of the Roman empire.
- The Grand Spa. My diamond card got us free access to this (I love that card so much!) and it is a perfect place to unwind and destress. The steam room which warms you up to 65degrees C and then the 30 degree plunge pool - try diving into it if you can for the hot to cold fast immersion experience! The spa pool outside the steam room with its perfectly backlit blue water and trickling fountains, and the relaxation room with 12-14 beds and blankets. The outside pool has a fireplace which you can sit next too, but in winter it was a bit cold - they also make you wear these silly hair caps if you want to go swimming out there. The gym looks world class, the machinery all looks new and flat screen TVs galore to entertain you while you work out.
Its expensive true (I was staying on points, otherwise I might have written it off as too much) - but if you are after the best hotel experience youve had Id recommend going there - just be warned you wont want to see Rome much, and youll be spoiled for every hotel from that point on.
Rome itself was good when I managed to pry myself out of the hotel. The shuttle bus runs from the Hotel to the Piazza Barberini in about 25 mins (runs every hour but takes a big break between 12:30 and 3:30 so plan accordingly). Inbound we chose to go from the train station to the Cipro stop and then hailed a cab up to the hotel - which cost about €14 or so.
Other than the hotel, my memory of Rome will be linked to the pizza - which is one of the rare foods of the world that I feel is actually better in its native land than you image it could be. Served like a sandwich, folded over in a square in paper, it is non greesy, the cheese doesnt drip all over you, and it tastes incredible.
The Colosseum is very run down - the one I visited in Tunisia at El Gem is a much better example as it was built later and has withstood the elements and invaders more successfully. The Spanish Steps area is worth seeing - especially at night when the crowds really come out. The designer stores are all here, including one incredulously branded "Expensive".
On to Africa next - the hotel was the perfect preparation, giving us both a dose of luxury before the rigors to come. We took some Hermes soaps and hair products so that we could indulge in some luxury in the dusty places where Hermes and the Cavalieri would be a distant, although pleasant memory.
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