15. Rome - Cavalieri Hilton

The Conference I attended was held at the Hilton Cavalieri Hotel.

We really didn’t enjoy our stay in this over-priced, over-blown hotel. Everything looks “luxurious” on the surface, )if not a bit like an explosion at the Versace factory)and there is that level of obsequious service (every member of staff greets you EVERY time you walk down a corridor, even if only 5 seconds earlier!). There are pool attendants in crisp white uniforms, and many of the guests have deep tans and lots of gold bling. Surface sophistication is a good summary of this place.

There is “free” use of the hotel pool for guests (and it is a good pool, big enough for real exercise), BUT just try to sit anywhere, or even put your book and towel down, and you’ll be pounced upon and told you must pay a 16 Euro sun lounge fee. You would think at a room rate of >300 Euros a night, use of the pool and a place to put your towel might be a given!

Although swimming laps during opening hours, I was tapped on the hand and told I was swimming "contrary to regulations". I never found out which regulation, but assume it may have been because it was cloudy? Or perhaps because I put my towel down on a chair undercover? I said that if a manager cared to come and explain the regulation to me perhaps we would have something to discuss, but no-one appeared, of course. Perhaps that explains why there is rarely anyone IN the pool, merely adorning the edges? The pool doesn't open until 9am, so if you are there for a conference, don't think about a pre-breakfast swim for exercise.

Guests are not allowed to iron clothes. The excuse given is “European fire regulations”. Strange, I’ve never encountered that regulation in other, lowlier hotels in Europe! Might it have anything to do with the exorbitant prices they charge for the hotel laundry to iron clothes? I did see one guest scuttling down a corridor with a contraband iron! It was cheaper to buy one new and smuggle it in than pay ironing prices (eg 11 Euros per shirt, 3 per pair of nickers, for those so inclined)

A coffee costs 8 Euros, a small coke from the minibar the same. A hamburger is 25 Euros. Check your bill on the TV regularly - we found mysterious minibar charges appeared which we had to query. They were politely amended.

The hotel has a shuttle bus which operates a few times a day to Piazza Barberini in Rome; be sure to queue at least 10 minutes before departure to get a place; otherwise it is a taxi ride, or there are public buses from nearby, but you won’t be volunteered that information by hotel staff.

You pay the same whether you have a view over Rome or not. The "other" side where we were has a splendid view of an enormous communcations tower and the hotel driveway.

There is no need to pay the hyper-inflated food prices at the hotel as there are some terrific restaurants nearby for those who venture out of the “compound”. Turn right out of the hotel and walk about 10 minutes to Piazza delle Medaglie d’Oro and you will find some good options, including a Sicilian restaurant . A bit further on, in via Prisciano, da Luciano can be recommended. Good local fare in a middle-class neighbourhood.

Below: The magnificent view of the Communications Tower from our room

Below: The lift foyer on our floor
Below: A sign spotted on a room service trolley in our corridor
Below: The room

Below: The pool