When planning a visit to a city, there are two ways to approach it. Some people like to stay in the thick of things, and have dozens of restaurants, bars and shops at their doorstep. Other people prefer a more relaxed approach, and would sacrifice proximity for creature comforts like larger rooms and a pool. If you fall into that second category and are planning a visit to Rome, then book a stay at the Rome Cavalieri Hilton.

The Cavalieri Hilton feels more like a resort than a city hotel, as its set in a 15-acre private park. With the palm trees, garden topiary and an Olympic-sized pool, it's hard to believe you are in Rome- until you look outside your balcony and see the dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Despite the Basilica in the background, approaching the hotel doesn't offer the most inspiring of views. The Cavalieri Hilton is housed in a non-descript block that is brightened up by hanging greens on every balcony, and the neighbourhood surrounding the hotel is a bit blah. But as soon as you walk into the hotel, the view improves drastically. The overall look is old world opulent; marble is used everywhere, and there are plenty of paintings, gold accented furniture, and tapestries.

On my recent visit, I stayed on one of the two executive club floors, which was fabulous. Club floors have a separate check in desk which is ideal for avoiding queues, and there's also a private lounge which is open from 7am-11pm. The room feels like an extension of your living room, and serves food and drinks all day long. We had breakfast there every day, and the lounge is perfect for afternoon tea, a pre-dinner cocktail or simply catching up on the news (CNN or Sky) or browsing through the International Herald Tribune.

The executive floor guest rooms are some of the largest in Rome. The beds were heavenly; the sheets are crisply ironed linen and the duvet felt like a giant puffy marshmallow. Not happy with your pillow? Not a problem. There's an extensive pillow menu, where guests can choose from pillows stuffed with Kapok flakes (cotton flakes obtained from the seeds of Kapok trees) or shredded coconut fibre and pure merino wool filling. The signature bathroom products are by Hermes, but if guests are looking for something different, a soap menu offers around 20 different scented varieties, from stephanotis, apple and cinnamon, or citrus grove soaps.

The décor of the room is traditional, but its biggest plus is its size. Our room, a double, had a spacious sitting area with couches, a coffee table and a writing desk. It was big enough that with two people sharing, there was enough space to spread out without fearing of being on top of each other. The bathroom was also gigantic, with double marble sinks and a huge soaking tub. Like the rest of the hotel, it was completely done in marble. Despite all the traditional décor, there are plenty of nods to modernism like the wide-screen plasma television in the room.

The highlight of the Cavalieri Hilton is definitely the outdoor space, with its well-manicured gardens and pool which also includes a dining area. (In the summer, guests can watch sporting events on the 60” outdoor plasma while dining on the heliport). Relaxing by the pool is a perfect way to cap off a day of sight-seeing or shopping in Rome. After a solid day of touring the Vatican, which is just two miles away, we unwound by the pool and soaked up the last rays of sunshine. (I was amused to see that some of the gift shops in the Vatican sold Ferragamo wallets and silk scarves). If you prefer to relax indoors, the hotel also has a 22,000-square foot spa, which includes a La Prairie beauty centre, and a well-stocked gym. Be warned though: non-executive floor guests must pay 31 euros a day for access to the pool and spa. Another warning to keep in mind is that although there is a complimentary shuttle into the Rome city centre, the last one leaves at 8pm so plan accordingly, or just take a taxi, which should only cost about 10 euros.

Apart from its views of the Eternal City, the Cavalieri Hilton is also known for its service, as well as its in-house restaurant La Pergola, the only hotel restaurant in Italy to garner three Michelin stars. The concierge gave us solid recommendations for dinner, and when I phoned housekeeping to have my skirt pressed, it was collected within minutes. A short time later the housekeeping staff phoned to make sure it had been collected, and it was delivered perfectly pressed- and earlier than the designated time. The staff also keeps a vigilant eye on guests, especially when it comes to taxis. Rome taxi drivers are notoriously unscrupulous. Be wary of drivers who cover the meters with a folded-down seat and always, always ask the price of the destination before you set off. The hotel's doormen are pros at dealing with the taxi drivers, and will negotiate the price for you and smooth out any disputes. One taxi driver tried to charge us triple the rate, and then attempted to drop us off at the bottom of the driveway to avoid the doormen. We managed to foil him, and not spoil our Roman holiday.

Rates start at 375 euros.

Rome Cavalieri Hilton
Via Alberto Cadlolo 101,
Rome, Italy  00136
Phone: +39-06-35091 
www.cavalieri-hilton.it