Rome Travel Guide
Tags: Hotel Openings / Rome Hotels / Armando Manni / Luxury Hotels / Intimate Hotels / → All Tags
There Will Be No Shortage of Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Casa MANNI
This very well may be Rachel Ray's idea of hotel heaven.
We’ve been hooked on MANNI White Truffle Extra Virgin Olive Oil since we sat in on a demo at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen a few years ago. Then, Chef Ryan Hardy of Montagna at The Little Nell gave us two bottles to take home – one Per Mia Figlia (for my child) and one Per Me (for me) and it’s like liquid gold crack for foodies.
Now, the EVOO expert Armando Manni has extended his presence in the luxury lifestyle market with the opening of Casa MANNI Roma, an exclusive penthouse for two in a 17th-century palazzo in Via di Pietra, the heart of old Rome. And yes, MANNI is all caps.
Tags: Hotel Packages / Rome Hotels / → All Tags
Get Your 'Angels and Demons' Experience at Westin Excelsior Rome
Ah, we knew it: in all the hype surrounding Twilight (and, somewhat alarmingly, still surrounding Twilight), you totes forgot that the Angels and Demons movie was coming out, didn't you? Yeah, 'member that whole thing? That little book called Da Vinci Code that swept the naysh between the Harry Potter and Twilight crazes? Yes, well, Angels and Demons is the sequel — and now the movie's coming out on May 15th.
Westin has been named the official hotel partner for the movie, and Dan Brown fanboys and girls can get all sorts of into it with a whole Angels and Demons immersion experience in Rome at the Westin Excelsior. If you book the package, you get a night in a double room, an official Angels & Demons private or group tour, 20% off at the hotel's restaurant and bars and a 20% discount on the Angels & Demons "theme menu" at the Doney restaurant.
What is this "official tour" we speak of, you ask? 'Tis this: if you book the Group Tour, you get a 4 hour Rome excursion with other people (24 max), which includes a Castel Sant'Angelo Entrance Ticket, a map of the Illuminati, a coffee break, and transporation in air-conditioned bus (yeah, Rome in the summer? Not so cool). Opting for the private tour will get you an upgrade to a GrandLuxe room if it's available, and a 4-hour private excursion including a pickup and drop-off at the hotel in an air-conditioned car.
The private tour starts at €433 (around $592) and the group tour will run you €326 ($446) per night. Book here.
Tags: Cubicle Dreamin' / Rome Hotels / Leading Hotels of the World / → All Tags
When In Rome, Go All Out With Italian Sweets
Cubicle Dreamin' is a feature in which we ask the hotel mavens to take some time out of their busy work day, surf the Internet, and tell us what hotel they wish they could beam themselves to right that very second--all on the slave driving companies dime, of course. Oh, like these people aren't surfing aimlessly anyway--at least now their purposeless clicking will be cobbled together into useful hotel stories--we hope. Have a destination hotel you are just dying to leave your cube for? Send the story our way.
In this episode, Hotel Maven Amanda K visits Rome...in her mind. Enjoy.
There are two reasons I want to stay in the Hotel Lord Byron in Rome, and they're both from the one paragraph of a recent Age review:
Life in the hotel centres around the library and lounge, a beautifully furnished space full of interesting, well-thumbed hardcover books, flowers, bowls of Italian sweets and fabulous framed family photos.
I'm sold by the time I know about the piles of books and the Italian sweets, but apparently there is plenty more in this grand hotel to tempt me. It's elegant, but not too stuffy; glamorous, but not arrogant. It's a five-star place that belongs to the Leading Small Hotels of the World collection, and I like the fact that it's small and tucked into a quiet (but still central) corner of Rome.
I could settle on a Junior Suite at €560 ($730) a night (the full version of the Suite is €735 ($960) a night) and I'd definitely need a booking in the Sapori del Lord Byron restaurant – apparently it's got a French chef but the food is definitely Italian-style and delicious. And I'd need to finish my evening at the hotel's Il Salotto wine bar because they say the pianist there can play anything you request. But hey, I was already satisfied just with the books and the sweets.
Tags: NYT Reviews / Rome Hotels / Waldorf-Astoria Collection / → All Tags
The Rome Cavalieri Hotel Just Wants Your Euros
This is the penthouse bedroom at the Rome Cavalieri hotel.
We've had a mild fascination over here with the Rome Cavalieri hotel--once a Hilton, now part of the chain's Waldorf-Astoria Collection--largely in part due to its crazy extravagant services. Gladiator training anyone? Fancy a jog with the hotel's general manager? Or perhaps you would like to bring your dog with you and let him dine out of Gucci dog bowls? The hotel can accommodate all that.
Yet we've never known anyone who has spent a night in the hotel. Until now. The NY Times featured the hotel in its weekly "Check-In, Check-Out" feature in the Sunday Travel section. And while the hotel is full of fancy things, the staff seems to have dropped the ball. From reviewer Oliver Schwaner-Albright:
But for all the amenities, the hotel didn’t so much welcome as tolerate us: the desk staff was curt, the car valet was rude and the concierge couldn’t be bothered to halt his personal conversation to help us make dinner reservations.
Tags: Italy Hotels / Rome Hotel Guide / Designer Label Hotels / Boutique Hotels / Monica Guy / → All Tags
Designer Label Hotels: The Villa Laetitia in Rome
This idea of fashion designers setting up hotels seems to be becoming a trend in Italy.
Anna Fendi and her daughters own one in Rome called the Villa Laetitia It's a boutique hotel or residenza with only 15 rooms, most of them suites with all the sweet bells and whistles. What makes it particularly special - and better than most boutique hotels set up by hoteliers - are two things.
Find out what they are after the jump.
Tags: Pet-Friendly Hotels / Hilton Hotels / Hotel Amenities / → All Tags
Dogs Dine in Style at the Rome Cavalieri Hilton
Just when we thought we'd seen the pinnacle of doggie decadence and luxury, the Rome Cavalieri Hilton trumps them all. For travelers whose pampered pets demand the best, there's the new Very Important Pet program.
Four-legged guests of the Cavalieri can enjoy a full day of spa treatments, customized cashmere Dog Haute Couture and a four-course meal served in Gucci dishware.
Other amenities to pant over include doggy bathrobes, an escorted fitness run, and an Aloe Vera massage. Dinner includes a four-course in-room meal from the Menu del Vostro Fedele Amico -- beginning with soup, a full range of first and second course options, and a chocolate dessert. No, not for you silly. For your dog. And all served up in red ceramic Gucci-designed dishes atop a vermeil tray.
What, you say, isn't it all a bit over-the-top? Not according to General Manager Milan Arandelovic, who says the program was born out of an earnest attempt to meet and exceed the demands of the hotel's dog-loving guests:
"Our guests who frequently travel consider their pets members of the family. We go to great lengths to make our visitors feel comfortable and cared for; it follows that we would extend this service to all who stay with us."
And apparently, the services are appreciated, as the hotel reports an overwhelmingly positive response to VIP packages since announcing them late last year.
Another doggie luxe pic after the jump.
Tags: Rome Hotels / New Years Eve Hotels / New-Years-Eve-Hotels / → All Tags
New Years Eve Hotels: The Hilton Cavalieri in Rome
This week, we're looking at some of the best places around the world to spend New Year's Eve. Got a suggestion for ringing in 2008, let us know.
Last summer we were hyped about the Hilton Rome Cavalieri because they were offering gladiator training, which has gotta be one of the coolest hotel add-ons ever. So we were interested to learn about what the Hilton Cavalieri could be offering for a New Year's Eve celebration.
Unfortunately it seems like there are no gladiators involved, but apart from that it sounds like a pretty extravagant way to bring in 2008. The Rome Cavalieri Hilton is offering a 3-night New Year's package for US$2,284 per person, including accommodation in an executive floor room (great views of Rome) plus a 10-course dinner (yes, TEN!) cooked by a 3-star Michelin chef, served in the rooftop La Pergola restaurant. What a great way to spend your last day before the inevitable New Year's diet begins. Finally, when the NYE fireworks go off, you'll have a great view from one of the highest parts of Rome.
The deal also includes a deluxe afternoon tea, apparently made all the more delicious because while you sip your tea, you'll be able to look at three Tiepolo paintings the hotel has just bought; you also get a concert and brunch in the gardens of the hotel on New Year's Day. Perhaps if you ask nicely they'll add an hour or two of gladiator training while you're out in the gardens.
Related Stories:
· Learn Gladiator Moves as the Rome Hilton Cavalieri [HotelChatter]
· Hotels in Rome [HotelChatter]
Tags: Hotels-Near-Eurail-Stops / Rome Hotels / → All Tags
Eurail Hotel Stop: Best Western Near Rome's Termini
Heaps of long-distance trains into Rome terminate at the appropriately named Termini station. We recommend staying at the less appropriately named Best Western Hotel Canada. Yes, it is in Rome (we have no idea why Canada rates a mention), and better still, it is just a short walk from the Termini station down a quiet side street.
The location is perfect for train travelers, and it's quiet enough too so you can relax a bit after a hard day's Roman sightseeing. Although it's not exactly in the middle of things, it is a short bus or taxi ride to most of the main attractions. The hotel also offers some special packages like the Honeymoon Trip or Shopping in Rome deals.
The Hotel Canada is small for a Rome hotel, with just 70 rooms, and has been recently renovated and refurbished. Wifi is available and there's also a small library and reading lounge with a fireplace for winter nights. Rates start at €144 ($200) for a double in low season, increasing to €225 ($315) in the height of summer; triple and quadruple rooms are also available if you're traveling with a group, and these work out much cheaper.
[Photo: Family_Travelers_7]
Related Stories:
· Hotels Near Eurail Stops [HotelChatter]
· Hotel Stories in Rome [HotelChatter]
· Travel Stories in Rome [Jaunted]
Tags: Cubicle Dreamin' Radisson SAS es. Hotel / Rome / → All Tags
Cubicle Dreamin': Radisson SAS Hotel Rome
Cubicle Dreamin' is a feature in which we ask the hotel mavens to take some time out of their busy work day, surf the Internet, and tell us what hotel they wish they could beam themselves to right that very second--all on the slave driving companies dime, of course. Oh, like these people aren't surfing aimlessly anyway--at least now their purposeless clicking will be cobbled together into useful hotel stories--we hope. Have a destination hotel you are just dying to leave your cube for? Send the story our way.
In this episode, jnaw heads to Rome. Enjoy.
Until four years ago, I'd never really wanted to go to Rome. Milan? Sure. Tuscany? Of course. But Rome? Please. I'd read enough about the art and romance to last me a lifetime. Until, that is, a friend came back from a European vacation raving not about the city--but about the Radisson SAS es Hotel, Rome. My desktop wallpaper has been an image of this modern architectural wonder ever since.
Details on my dream day stay at the Radisson in Rome after the jump.
Tags: Rome Hotel Reviews / Budget Hotels / → All Tags
Free Hotel WiFi in Budget Rome's Beehive
Hotel Maven Amanda K reports....
If you're looking for budget in Rome, The Beehive promotes itself as the "most stylish and contemporary of Rome's budget hotels and hostels". Not only is it relatively cheap (from €70 for a double private room--or just €20 for a bunk bed in a hostel room), it's also kinda cool.
Opened by an American couple in 1999, The Beehive is proud to use organic olive oil and recycled toilet paper, it has a yoga space and is strongly against culturally-cringy pub crawls and charging for internet access. In fact, the owners sum it all up kinda nicely themselves (just try and read through the necessary self-promotional overtones):
We pride ourselves on being a stylish, contemporary and ecologically minded budget hotel with impeccably kept facilities, knowledgeable, accommodating staff and an artistic sense of modern design at an affordable price.
The Beehive also has a handy location near one of Rome's main train stations, plus a resident cat, Igmar. What else does a budget hotel need?
[Photo: travelhilly]
Related Stories:
· Where to Swim Nude in Rome [Jaunted]
· Hotels in Rome [HotelChatter]
Tags: Rome Hotel Reviews / Hotel Hell / Refereeing Hotel Reviews / → All Tags
Refereeing Hotel Reviews: Hotel Arcangelo's Breakfast
There's been some buzz going around lately that travel writers haven't really been giving us the full truth about the destinations they've been visiting. Mostly because the hotel or it's PR department is paying for their trip.
So we've pulled out our dusty referee whistle and looked closley at the reviews for Hotel Arcangelo. Recently, MSNBC Travel writer John Frenaye at this hotel in Rome with his family and found it great:
The room was fabulous, the daily breakfast was more than adequate and the service was sublime.
Hmm, but our research says that the rooms are dirty, the staff can be rude, and well, see for yourself on the breakfast:
The breakfast is basic continental and just about adequate, with tasteless coffee, no choice of cereals. The ham had ants running about on it on some mornings.
This was just one of several breakfast complaints and there were far more criticisms against the cleanliness of the room.
What can we say? We side with the majority. Although there is a chance that Frenaye did just happen to hit the Arcangelo on a good day. Either way do your research pre-booking.
Related Stories:
· Kids roaming in Rome [MSNBC]
· Hotel Arcangelo Reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Refereeing Hotel Reviews: Jamaica [HotelChatter]
Tags: Killer View / Rome Hotel Reviews / → All Tags
Room with a Killer View: Albergo del Sol al Pantheon
We are suckers for a room with a killer view. We find that we are even more likely to forgive some minor hotel inconveniences if we can stare out the window at something pretty--yeah we are that shallow. Let's help out our fellow hotel mavens by uploading rooms with killer views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. We will feature our favorites in this space from time to time. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number of the hot view.
For first-timers visiting Rome, the Albergo del Sole Al Pantheon is a great hotel to hit up. Look at this view from Room 18, you cannot beat the location.
This is the view from my hotel room in Rome - the Pantheon and the Piazza that surrounds it. I ate breakfast across the piazza every morning and would watch the people going by every night while I enjoyed some gelato.
Of course, there is a downside to all of this as rooms with this view tend to suffer from the outside noise. The hotel also has an eccentric layout (it was built in 1450) with lots of three- or four-step staircases and crazy room decor. But if you start to miss America, simply visit the McDonald's downstairs.
Related Stories:
· Albergo del Sole al Pantheon reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Laurie Ann in KSA's photostream [Flickr]
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