Rome 1: The Hotel

Craig’s parents were visiting for a portion of the holiday season and we planned to meet in Rome on the 27th. Craig and I trekked across the city with our rucksacks on, observing as Rome began to stir in the early morning. Craig’s dad, Bart Harrison, travels constantly for his job and so is a Hilton Diamond Club Rewards Member. Very lucky for us, his points carried over to Rome and he reserved rooms at the Waldorf Astoria, or Hotel Rome Cavalieri. This place is BEAUTIFUL. Craig and I boarded the shuttle at the raised-eyebrow surprise of the driver, who tentatively loaded our dirty rucksacks into the luggage compartment before sighing and driving us up the hill. And the looks of the staff at the front desk when we sauntered into the lobby? Truly priceless.

After several days of rooms with no heat, showers that poured onto the toilet and drained out the floor, and nursing a chest cold while sleeping on threadbare blankets and travel-sized pillows, I was in Heaven. There were SIX pillows on my bed, there was a clean bathtub with hot water, and slippers for my cold feet. Also, the staff frequently delivered chocolate before bed.


The best part was the view. We were at the very top of a hill and so we could see Rome in every direction. And when the fireworks began shooting on New Year’s Eve (we were all trying to sleep due to the next morning's "early" flight), we thought at first that Rome might be under attack.