Elegant historic villa, 8km to Rome, air con, pool, spa, bbq, garden, services

Outdoor dining
Interior
Dining
Exterior
Terrace/patio
5.0 / 5.0
Outstanding(67 Ratings)

Villa in Rome

12 guests · 7 bedrooms · 7 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones
Includes essentialsGarden, Pool, Pets allowed and more

About this villa rental

Last year,"Meet Me in Rome", an American movie was filmed at the villa. Check out the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdP4D8ZCcjM

This is my family home and I care for it together with my partner, Alex, and my lovely staff, Stefania et alia.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VILLA:
Last year,"Meet Me in Rome", an American movie was filmed at the villa. Check out the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdP4D8ZCcjM

The luxury master bedroom, with the antique fireplace, has a bed that is bigger than an Emperor size (it is, aptly, a Caesar size bed!), a large, contemporary en-suite bathroom with walk-in-shower, its own gorgeous terrace overlooking the garden, and its own dressing rooms. Upstairs there are two further beautiful en-suite bedrooms, one with an Emperor size bed, as well as four more bedrooms that share two recently modernised bathrooms, with walk-in-showers, between them.
The upper floor opens onto a delightful garden with an ancient Roman archaeological area, complete with garden furniture, parasols and lighting. Just above the archeological remains, you can enjoy the life of an ancient Roman by plunging in a luxurious hot tub spa for 6 people ideal for hydrotherapy, relaxation or pleasure with powerful jets for massage purposes. The hot tub, reminiscent of and consistent with ancient Roman ablution practices, is situated outdoors, against the backdrop of the 1st century AD wall. In a separate area of the garden, under olive trees, and close to the vegetable patch and the yoga platform, you can enjoy the heated swimming pool.
In the intimate and yet spectacular garden there are several areas for outdoor eating under secular Roman pine trees. A ping-pong table is available to our guests.

On the ground floor, which can be reached from a ceramic and travertine marble staircase, there are two large reception rooms, each with a marble and stone fireplace, travertine stone floors, and high vaulted ceilings. One of the reception rooms, boasting two ancient Egyptians columns with Roman capitals, can be used as a dining or sitting room.
There is a very spacious kitchen, with a professional 'gas cooker, complete with a large electric thermo-convection oven ideal for cooking at very high levels.
The kitchen, with a vaulted ceiling, has a gorgeous fireplace perfect for roasting food and sitting around sipping a glass of good wine. There is a big cellar made to be filled with delicious wines, stacked up against its 4th century wall.Part of the cellar also functions as a utility room with two large fridges, a sink, a dishwasher, a washing machine and a dryer.
The rear kitchen door opens onto a functioning bread/pizza oven and a small fountain.The pizza-oven corner is covered by an awning and it is flood-lit. It has a seating area designed for fun evenings families and their children making pizza together under the guidance of our expert pizzaiolo. We can provide all the ingredients as well as the 'pizzaiolo' for making your favourite pizza!
Behind the kitchen there is a further single bedroom, with its own shower room (and separate entrance by the pizza oven). This could be used as an extra room for a young person, a nanny or a yoga teacher.
The lower garden is wonderful, with a patio and portico that allow for outdoor dining, and entertaining, dancing, or listening to music. At one end of the large patio there is a large built-in brick barbecue and a fountain, garden lights and space for entertaining for up to 100 people.
All around there are fruit trees and wonderfully secluded areas of the garden.
Own car is recommended. However, there is also public transport, two buses, 5 minutes walk away, and two train stations, one at Settebagni (the train reaches the Stazione Tiburtina in 20 minutes, and from there there is the connection to the Rome Metro or trains to all parts of Italy), the other from Saxa Rubra directly to Piazzale Flaminio and Piazza del Popolo. Both stations are only 7 minutes drive away.

THE VILLA’S USP
This is a truly unique property. Its walls, stones, its multiple layers speak of Roman history, of the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. Every mosaic stone in the garden bears the memory of Imperial Rome, its rise, and its decadence.
Yet the villa is only two steps away from the ring-road that connects all Roman roads. As we know, "All roads lead to Rome".
The villa is one of the precious historic houses of the region: it is included in the list of the Dimore Storiche of Italy
(see https://www.dimorestoricheitaliane.it/).

You will benefit from hiring a car so as to drive into Rome centre along the Via Salaria (Flaminia or Cassia) in only 15 minutes. Or you may choose to drive for 7 minutes to the nearest train stations that lead into Rome centre and connect to the metro service.
As a former curator and art historian I love telling the history of the Villa and, with my partner, who is a trained historian and a journalist, we love offering tours of Rome and its museums.

TOP AMENITIES: heated pool; hot tub; deck chairs; air conditioning; central heating; wi-fi; luxury bathtub in the master bedroom; Caesar size and Emperor size beds, walk-in showers; outdoor covered platform for yoga retreats; yoga mats, blocks and bolsters; ping-pong table; vegetable garden with local produce; parking for up to 10 cars; various services available, including concierge, fridge-fill, guide to Roman museums and antique sites, breakfast, dinners, events, etc.

CANCELLATION POLICY
We chose a strict cancellation policy because we want to be sure that whoever chooses Villa il Cardinale does it with commitment and enthusiasm, just as we ourselves welcome our guests'. However we are happy to consider individual situations. If you have a serious problem and need to cancel, we are happy to bend out cancellation policy or move the booking to another available date.


Amenities

Pool
Air conditioner
Pets allowed
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
Hot tub or spa
TV
Gym or Fitness Center
Garden
Family friendly

Map of Rome

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Ratings and reviews

5.0 / 5.0
Outstanding(67 Ratings)
5.0 / 5.0
Jul 2024
Our stay at your incredible Villa was the highlight of our family trip! First of all, the beautiful accommodations for the 12 of us were so perfect. As we ranged from 14 to 85 years old- the rooms we had seemed destined for our own individual needs. Our room was perfect. Having both a separate and common entrance was a great unexpected perk! The refreshing pool was a perfect spot for gathering and relaxing after a hot day in Rome. The pizza making night was so memorable- each of us being able to individualize our own pizzas if we desired, under excellent supervision and in 3 minutes was fabulous! The celebration evening of a milestone anniversary was an evening to remember. The 2 singers in the courtyard, the music that got ALL of us dancing still brings tears of happiness to my eyes! Our dinner that night created by a local chef who expertly crafted a menu taking all of our dietary needs into consideration was delicious as well as beautiful. We can’t thank you enough Marina, for making your home such a wonderful welcoming place for our family! We ALL want to return, and look forward to doing so!!
5.0 / 5.0
Jul 2024
We rented the villa for three weeks in July, with a different group of friends and family coming to stay each week. Marina and Stefania were a constant source of assistance and managed a seamless turnover between each group of guests. The first week, my entire family was here with four grandchildren. They enjoyed exploring the gardens and particularly spending time in the pool. Over the course of our stay, we had people with very diverse interests, so the location of the villa, with access to public transportation, allowed everyone to pursue their own individual itineraries. The most unique aspect of the Villa, however, is that stepping through the doors felt like stepping back in time. Every corner tells a story, and the remnants of ancient buildings add to the overall charming ambience. The nearby restaurant, Nashville, quickly became a favorite spot for all of our different guests. We rapidly became regular customers, greeted as we entered by the colorful owner. The pizza is also fantastic. Our stay at this Villa was truly magical. We left feeling rejuvenated, grateful for the memories we created, and Very satisfied with the special touches provided by Marina and Stefania.
5.0 / 5.0
Jul 2024
We already miss Villa il Cardinale! The villa fit everyone in our 14-person group with room for more. Marina welcomed us warmly to the home where she grew up. Her personal touches make this exquisitely preserved villa feel more like a home than a hotel. Every time we entered a room, we discovered a new treasure: a family photo, a work of art (many created by Marina or her mother), a keepsake, a book, and more. The beautifully maintained estate combines an authentic feeling of old Italy with modern luxury. The bedrooms are spacious, comfortable, and well-appointed. The refreshing pool was a perfect spot for gathering and relaxing after a hot day in Rome’s city center. Remarkably, despite the heat, the house stays cool all day without air conditioning because of its historic, thick walls. The marble staircase, beautiful doors, barrel ceilinged kitchen, 4th century Egyptian columns, capacious outdoor patio and the stone walls encircling the hillside above the house (built at the height of the Roman Empire) all add to the charm. There are layers of history everywhere. The villa truly is a microcosm of why you visit Rome! All in all, Villa Cardinale was the ideal place for our extended family to gather and feel that it was our home too - even if only for a week or two. Marina made sure our visit was the best it could be including family cooking classes and restaurant tips. Both she and Stefania delighted in making everything right for our stay, going beyond our expectations.
5.0 / 5.0
Jul 2023
Villa Cardinali tucked away in the Roman hills, was magical. We visited with our married children, their spouses and our 6 grandchildren. A family of 12. The villa accommodated us very well with its beautifully appointed spacious old-world rooms. There is a pool, and this was a real plus especially for the children! If you are looking for a retreat, a place of peace and serenity to get away from the busy streets while visiting Rome, this is it. The owner Marina and her staff member Stephania were very welcoming, kind and accommodating. Both truly went the extra mile to ensure we had a wonderful and most memorable stay!
5.0 / 5.0
Jun 2023
Our stay at the Villa can only be described as incredible!! The host was so accommodating for all of our needs. She arranged transportation and tours for us and all 10 of our family voted the stay as the best on our 17 day trip! On our first night we took advantage of the Stone Pizza oven and had the best pizza of our lives!! We couldn't have been happier with this service! My husband turned 77 while we were there, and I requested an original Italian dinner and Marina outdid herself!! From the first course to the last one it was just incredible. The pictures don't do the place justice. The grounds are beautiful, and it was very relaxing! If we ever travel to Rome again, we would only stay at this location as it was FANTASTIC. If I could give it 10 stars I would.
5.0 / 5.0
Aug 2019
We stayed here for one week on a family vacation. We are a fairly demanding family when we travel and the property owner and staff tended to all of our needs and went out of their way to ensure that our stay was as enjoyable as it could be starting from home made pizza night to getting us reservations at some of Rome’s most coveted restaurants. We absolutely recommend this beautiful villa for anyone looking to stay in Rome.
5.0 / 5.0
Aug 2019
Amazing location, decoration and setting with great hosts! Simply perfect stay with the family!
5.0 / 5.0
Jul 2019
Charming and beautiful historical country home on the outskirts of Rome. The only thing that is not perfect is its proximity to the ring-road (nearby highway), and distance from the center, but it is easy to forget as you explore the old formal rooms, have breakfast in the traditional kitchen, and discover one-by-one all the different gardens, lawns, and terraces. A highlight was a quiet snooze by the pool with hillside breezes coming in from the ocean after a day of crowds and heat in the center of Rome. Our bedroom had beautiful sheets and a great mattress, plus air conditioning, making for the best nights of sleep on our whole European tour. The proprietress, Marina, and her team of care-takers are constantly working to improve the property, which was her family home when she was growing up. Marina is an excellent hostess, helping with booking taxis and making recommendations for things to do and see. Next time we go we will use the local train (from Sette Bagne) to get into town to cut down on taxi fees, and we will bring friends to help fill the beautiful house.

FAQs

How much does this villa cost compared to others in Rome?

The average price for a rental in Rome is $143 per night. This rental is $2,789 above the average.

Is parking included with this villa?

Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Elegant historic villa, 8km to Rome, air con, pool, spa, bbq, garden, services . For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this villa?

Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Elegant historic villa, 8km to Rome, air con, pool, spa, bbq, garden, services . Enjoy the water!

Is Elegant historic villa, 8km to Rome, air con, pool, spa, bbq, garden, services pet friendly?

Yes! This villa is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.

What amenities are available at Elegant historic villa, 8km to Rome, air con, pool, spa, bbq, garden, services ?

We found 15 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, air conditioner, pets allowed, kitchen or kitchenette, and internet / wifi.

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