In the past month I’ve had the need to stay in 3 of the 4 Hilton hotels in Rome! I could have been braver and used another hotel group, but there is something to be said for brand loyalty to keep up a tier rating!! It isn’t usual to stay in so many hotels of the same chain in one place, so it has actually given me some useful insight into the pro’s and con’s of the wider brand!!
So… a tale of 3 Hiltons in one beautiful city, rather than a tale of 2 cities!!
First up was the Cavalieri which is one of the most famous in the city and under the Waldorf Astoria brand.
It is a little way out of town and commands an astounding view across the landmarks, however the best of the view is only for those on the upper (read more expensive) floors or those eating at the Michelin starred restaurant! Don’t expect to see much more than trees and the gorgeous gardens from the other rooms! A great shame that somewhere like this does not have a roof terrace bar in addition to the restaurant, something I think that most places are getting right these days… When I stayed the President of Cameroon was also in residence, so we had quite the welcoming party to navigate through, but concierge were just as helpful to us and we sped through check in. It was €35 for breakfast, but thankfully I travel with cereal bars, however that is a staggering price for any breakfast especially if it doesn’t come with a glass of champagne! The rooms were beautiful and the smellies were Salvatore Ferragamo. Everything in the room was old and glamorous looking and the bed was luxurious! I was in a standard room, but to be honest it was more of a suite with its own lounge area, no complaints there.
There was also a large private balcony, sadly the view wasn’t much to write home about, but it was a good extension to the room and did look down over the gardens (rooms do face away from the city, you don’t want one of those as the view would be of the suburbs, so ask when you book). The grounds are full of expensive sculptures and are lovely to roam around in. Sadly no views to be found on my mooch, but I was surprised that guests must pay to use a lounger by the pool!!! Lovely as it was to stay at a landmark such as this, it doesn’t offer the warm package that other 5* hotels pride themselves on. The price tag is there so that people can say they’ve stayed, and given today’s expectations of travel, that is nowhere near enough!!
Next stop, Hilton Garden Inn Claridge.
Don’t ask me whereabouts in Rome it is, the taxi took me there! This is the cheapest of the Hiltons I stayed in, but actually the best – wifi and breakfast included as standard, something so obvious but so often disregarded. From what I’ve seen of Garden Inn’s previously they are kind of an equivalent to what ‘Village’ is to ‘De Vere’ – new build, built for business guests that are wafting through for less than 24 hours. I’ve always opted for a Village if given the choice with a de Vere and I think I would say the same for Hilton (unless there is a doubletree offering). What impressed me most was that there was sufficient light in the room to work effectively at the desk – I’m always staggered with just how hard hotels make it for us, so I was pleased to see that!! This hotel was also particularly clean, perhaps because it was new, but it just seemed to gleam everywhere. Very helpful staff and a good spread at breakfast too!
Final stop – the Hilton at the airport, connected by a tunnel to the airport. Quite a long tunnel it has to be said and you aren’t allowed (supposed) to pull roll-on luggage along the moving walkways!! That said, not having the extra hassle of a taxi before an early flight and being in control of timings is very helpful! This is a massive hotel and reception is like a bus stop, don’t expect to get service with a smile!! And I would imagine checking in just after a big plane has landed isn’t a good experience! Sound-proofing was good, once in my room I did not know that I was essentially at the end of a runway! Big beds, king size as standard. I am always amazed by the frequency that Hiltons put queen size beds in rooms and then charge inappropriately, so this was a good perk! Again plenty of light in the room.
So, my thoughts?
In each of the hotels the hair dryer was wired into the bathroom. Maybe it is just a British thing, but why do this? Firstly it isn’t safe – there is water in the bathroom, and something tells me water and electricity shouldn’t mix. But secondly, who wants to stand in a hot bathroom after a shower and point hot air at themselves…. The Cavalieri was the only one to have carpet, at least the Claridge was clean, but the Hilton Airport didn’t look so clean and lack of carpet always gives this away!
The thing that annoys me most about Hilton is what they offer as a privilege for their guests. During these stays I have been on a silver card, and I am given free use of the pool/gym etc. How kind! But I am not on holiday, this is a business hotel and a business trip and what any business traveller needs is wifi! I think Hilton behind the times with making guests pay extra for wifi.
The room service menu is also pretty lacking, and standard across the group. At what is predominantly a hotel for business guests in out of the centre locations, a good offering is needed as standard.
As for Rome, well I didn’t get the chance to see a great deal as my trips were for business, however my taxi drivers did take me past some of the key places and they’ve left me wanting to return…
And for a view at dinner, well Imago Hassler is amazing – the price tag probably is too…
So my parting thoughts on Rome are probably that for a holiday I wouldn’t stay at a Hilton, but that I want to visit at leisure! Lots of the tourist attractions were shrouded in scaffolding for winter works, so probably not best to go off season! And what else did I learn, that the Romans make good and powerful coffee and that they converted me to taking regular breaks to enjoy an espresso!!!
