This trip was a long time coming. For our 10th wedding anniversary, I wanted to stay somewhere that felt unapologetically indulgent. It’s not something I wanted to justify paying for in cash but could book guilt-free with points.
We’d just come from Florence, and this was meant to be the “luxury exhale” end of our trip. Two nights of peace, comfort, and maybe pretending, just a little, that we were fancier than we are.
Stay Details
Month & Year: September 2024
Nights: 2
Room Type: King Deluxe Premium Rome View (upgraded from King Deluxe and King Deluxe Park View via Diamond status)
Booking Channel: Hilton website
Rate Type: Standard Room Reward
Rate: 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Purpose: 10-year anniversary trip
Disclosure: Stay was booked with Hilton points, and we enjoyed top-level Hilton Diamond status and benefits
Booking & Diamond Perks
We booked a King Deluxe Standard Room Reward for 80,000 points per night. I made sure to email the hotel a few days before and told them we were so excited to be staying for our 10-year wedding anniversary. I asked for any ways to make our trip special and noted that we hoped we’d have a fantastic view.
Before we even arrived, our room was upgraded to the King Deluxe Park View. Then at check-in, we found out we’d been upgraded AGAIN to the King Deluxe Premium Rome View. It was a small gesture, but the view turned it into something unforgettable.
Hilton Diamond Benefits During Our Stay
- Welcome VIP amenity
- Late check-out (subject to availability)
- Room upgrade upon check-in
- Complimentary access to the Grand Spa Club & pools
- Daily buffet breakfast at L’Uliveto
- Free Wi-Fi
- Two bottled waters
- 1,000 Hilton bonus points
The breakfast and pool access alone make Diamond status worth it here. Both were excellent.
Arrival & First Impressions
We arrived in full travel mode with backpacks, comfy clothes, and humid hair after taking the train from Florence and a taxi from the train station. The Cavalieri staff could not have been more welcoming, and check-in was smooth and quick.
When we walked into our room, there was a chilled bottle of champagne and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries waiting for us. It was such a thoughtful touch, especially after a day of travel, and it instantly set the tone for our anniversary stay.
The guests here are half the entertainment. It’s the kind of place where people look perfectly styled just to walk through the lobby.
Imagine a mix of runway-ready vacationers and people who look casually expensive, wandering out of a perfume commercial. Everyone seems to have somewhere elegant to be, even if it’s just the pool.
I couldn’t help laughing at my New Balances and messy ponytail, but the people-watching alone was worth the stay.
The lobby itself is beautiful with marble floors, gold accents, and fancy art pieces. It’s impressive.
The Room: Comfort, Privacy, and the View of a Lifetime
Our room was spacious and classic in that timeless Italian way, with dark wood, drapes that reminded me of a Roman toga, and a private balcony that looked out across Rome. The view alone made the points feel well spent.
What impressed me most was how seriously the hotel takes sleep. The blackout shutters made the room pitch black, the walls kept out every bit of hallway and outside noise, and there was an actual pillow menu.. I can confidently say it was the best sleep I’ve ever had in a hotel.
Mornings started with espresso on the balcony, watching the city wake up below. At night, I’d take a bath and drink tea while looking out over the same beautiful skyline. It was exactly what I needed after full days in the city.
Food: Breakfast Wins, Poolside Lunch Is Just Okay
Breakfast at L’Uliveto was generous and beautifully done. Everything looked fresh and carefully prepared, from the pastries and fruit to the cheeses and made-to-order smoothies. It’s included with Diamond status, and it’s one of those perks that has exceptional value.
Lunch by the pool was another story. The menu was simple, and my 27 Euro club sandwich tasted fine, but the people-watching made up for it. The pool area is where you really see the mix of guests: honeymooners, wellness travelers, some kids, and a few who treat the pool deck like a runway.
Location: Beautiful, But a Bit Out of the Way
The hotel sits on a hill above Rome, surrounded by gardens and trees. It’s quiet, green, and feels far from the noise but close to everything you want to see.
A free hotel shuttle runs to and from the city center throughout the day, and it’s clean, reliable, and easy to use. It makes exploring simple, even if you’re not right in the middle of the action.
If you love walking out your door and straight into cafés or late-night gelato shops, staying in the city might make more sense, but for a quiet getaway from city madness, this gets it right.
For us, this was the perfect setup. We got the luxury and quiet of the Cavalieri, enjoyed the Diamond breakfast each morning, and then headed into the city for meals that didn’t cost a fortune.
We grabbed the famous €5 pasta from Pastificio Guerra, wandered around for the best gelato, and came back to end the night in total quiet comfort. It felt like the best kind of balance.
Final Thoughts: A Splurge Worth Every Point
Even using Hilton points for this stay felt like a splurge, but one I’d happily make again. The Rome Cavalieri delivers exactly what it promises: calm, beauty, and small luxuries that feel genuinely personal.
We found an easy rhythm here. Mornings started with the Diamond breakfast, afternoons meant taking the shuttle into the city for the famous €5 pasta from Pastificio Guerra and a stop for gelato, and evenings ended with a bath and hot tea on the balcony overlooking Rome.
It was the kind of routine that made the whole trip feel like the right balance between indulgence and sensibility.
The hotel is ideal for couples, anniversary trips, or anyone who appreciates a mix of indulgence and practicality.
Even though Hilton’s award prices have gone up since our stay, the experience still feels worth it. Between the service, the views, and the sleep, it actually feels worth what you spend, whether it’s cash or points.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Bring your swimsuit, your Hilton points, and your appreciation for the good life. This place takes care of the rest.
⭐ 9/10 – A true luxury stay that’s worth it, even for practical travelers.
Megan Daniels is the writer behind Journey Currencies, where she shares honest travel stories and practical ways to see more of the world without overspending. She believes in balance, using points where they go the furthest, paying cash where it makes sense, and creating trips that feel both personal and rewarding.