By Shereen Shabnam
Some hotels impress you. Others stay with you. For me, Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel was never just a place to sleep in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. It was a feeling of stillness, of beauty, of being suspended for a little while above the magic and movement of Rome. Set high on a hill within 15 acres of private parkland and overlooking the Eternal City and the Vatican, the hotel feels like a world apart, yet deeply connected to the soul of Rome.
From the moment I arrived, I felt as though I had stepped into a grand Roman retreat where time softened and life became beautifully indulgent. There was a calmness to the place that immediately embraced me. After the rhythm and energy of travel, it offered something I had not realised I needed quite so much space to breathe, to admire, to simply be.
What touched me most about the hotel was not just its elegance, but its heart and the many art pieces around the hotel. As someone who has always been deeply drawn to art and art-led events in Dubai, I was genuinely moved by the scale and beauty of the collection housed within the hotel. Walking through the corridors of Rome Cavalieri felt like wandering through a private museum.
There are over 1,200 artworks, rare antiques, tapestries, period furniture and extraordinary pieces by names such as Giambattista Tiepolo and Andy Warhol. It was impossible not to pause, not to look longer, not to feel inspired.
The hotel’s carefully curated experiences only deepened that sense of romance. There is something incredibly special about a place that allows you not only to visit a city, but to experience it more intimately. Rome Cavalieri offers guests the opportunity to step into authentic Italian life through beautifully designed suite experiences, whether that means crafting handmade sandals with a family-run shoemaker, exploring the Vatican Gardens in private, or discovering hidden culinary treasures in the city.
As a lover of food and local culture, I found the thought of the culinary experiences particularly irresistible. The private journey through Mercato Trionfale is the kind of experience I adore most while travelling as it is immersive, authentic, and filled with flavour. A market frequented by locals, it offers a taste of Rome in its most delicious form, from artisanal cheeses to handmade pasta and truffles.
And then, of course, there is the hotel itself – the kind of place that makes you want to slow everything down and savour every moment. I enjoyed waking up in one of the elegant suites, enjoying a luxurious picnic in the gardens, had a quiet yoga session in the park, and later retreated to the spa for complete surrender.
The Cavalieri Grand Spa Club was, for me, one of the highlights of the stay. It felt like a sanctuary within a sanctuary. The peaceful atmosphere, the impeccable wellness offering was exactly the kind of place where one loses all sense of urgency. I booked a massage, and the moment I saw the La Prairie products, I instantly regretted not carving out enough time for a facial too. Had I not been due back in Dubai, I might very well have stayed there all afternoon and called it research.
There is also something quietly moving about the history of the hotel itself. Designed by celebrated architect Ugo Luccichenti, with contributions from iconic 1960s names Franco Albini and Pierluigi Nervi, the building carries a timeless sophistication that feels both glamorous and grounded. Since opening in 1963, it has welcomed royalty, dignitaries, celebrities and seasoned travellers from around the world. And yet, despite all its pedigree, it never felt intimidating. It felt warm and personal.
That, perhaps, is what made my stay so memorable. Rome Cavalieri may be grand, but it also knows how to make a guest feel cherished. I left feeling rested, inspired and grateful for the beauty of the place, and for the rare luxury of having experienced Rome from such a serene and artful vantage point.
