RomaPolacchi

L'Espresso, La Repubblica's weekly cultural magazine, has published its top restaurant choices in Italy for 2009. You can search by region for the best of the best in every city. Their top pick for Lazio is La Pergola at the Rome Cavalieri Hilton. Also among their top ten are L'Altro Mastai and Il San Lorenzo, two restaurants that the Modern Traveler has reviewed. Buon Apetito!

Recently redone and reopened as part of Hilton's Waldorf-Astoria collection, the Rome Cavalieri Hotel certainly delivers luxury. However, the New York Times reviews it this weekend -and is less than pleased with the experience. While the hotel is beautiful, filled with works of art, and has exceptional service, every amenity comes with a price. The gym costs 20 Euros a day, poolside chairs and towels cost 16 Euros, and room service is exorbitant. The bottom line? Nice views but not worth it.

The January 2008 issue of Travel and Leisure lists the 500 best luxury hotels in the world. On the list are 5 of Rome' s most famous and elegant hotels. If you can't stay at these gorgeous establishments, at least pop in for a cocktail or dinner. The Hotel Hassler came in at Number 1 (and nearly the most expensive) in Rome and is located at the top of the Spanish Steps . Its attractions include celebrity sightings, proximity to the Borghese Gardens , and unbeatable access to the shops on the Via Condotti. Ranked number 2 in Rome is the St. Regis Grand Hotel (a Starwood Hotel), located near the Via Veneto . The Hotel de Russie , known for its gardens, came in at number 3 and is located conveniently between Piazza di Spagna and the Piazza del Popolo. Number 4 by a hair is the Rome Cavalieri Hilton which is located 3 miles from the city center but has a lovely private park and pool (perfect for summertime visitors). Its restaurant, La Pergola , has three Michelin stars. Th...

Let's face it-the heat in Rome can be unbearable at the height of summer. The sun is blinding, the streets are crowded, and your shoes were not made for cobblestones. You are dying for a quiet hour next to the pool. Unfortunately, swimming pools are hard to come by. It's pretty much impossible to find a hotel with a pool in the historic center of Rome. The Cavalieri Hilton hotel has a pool and lovely wooded acres, but it's 3 miles from the center of town-not exactly convenient if you want to stay in the Centro Storico . There is good news, however! For 25 Euros (not cheap-but desperate times call for desperate measures) you can buy your way into a pool in the city for the whole day. The Grand Hotel del Gianicolo , located atop the Gianicolo hill at Viale delle Mura Gianicolense #107, has a lovely pool that is within a short walk from Trastevere . After your swim, have a coffee at one of the nearby cafes, take a stroll past the American Academy , the Aqua Paola and on to ...