Close your eyes. Now imagine waking up in a glamorous apartment on one of Rome’s splendid little cobblestone stradas, lording it over the throngs of tourists below whilst you waft around in your cool quarters above, devouring freshly baked pastries dropped straight to your door. Envisage a bedroom dressed in sumptuous Society Limonata sheets, a kitchenette stocked with Prosecco and chocolates, and a sauna in the bathroom. You've just imagined CasaCau, a lovingly converted 16th-century palazzo in the historic centre of Rome.
Each of the 1-bed apartments is individually styled with retro-chic furniture, contemporary artwork and beautifully restored original features. You’ll find quirky art pieces and vintage Olivetti typewriters, as well as wireless Bose speakers and complimentary smart phones. It’s the ultimate home-away-from-home - with the added luxuries of someone else doing the cleaning, and the city's best-kept secrets shared by your warm, thoughtful hosts.
Highs
- The quirky, individual style of each apartment; we wanted a night in every single one
- Mod-cons, free breakfasts, a concierge service and spoiling touches make for a luxurious stay
- Perfect for a romantic minibreak, or extra beds can be added for a family, and 2 apartments can be joined for a group of friends
- A short stroll from the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Spanish Steps; you’re in the buzzing heart of Rome
- We were blown away by the service - you're added to a WhatsApp group on your arrival day in case you need anything, and you can even select the scent in your apartment prior to arrival!
Lows
- Pricey, though definitely worth it, considering the location and amenities
- Noise from the streets can filter up, but we found it surprisingly peaceful with the windows shut
- There’s no lift so you'll have 3 or 4 flights of stairs to climb
- No on-site restaurant but you're close to countless eateries
Best time to go
Rome is a world-class city with something happening all year round. Late March, April, September and October are the busiest times. Winter (mid-November to mid-March) is quiet, with fewer tourists. Perhaps the time to avoid is mid-summer (July-August), when it gets very hot.
Our top tips
The basilica-shaped Santa Maria church in nearby Trastevere is one of the oldest in Rome and has a stunning mosaicked apse. Take time to sit and enjoy the effects of light as it streams through the coloured glass above the entrance.
- Boutique Apartments
- 6 apartments for 2-4
- Self-catering (breakfast included; restaurants nearby)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Concierge Service
- Laundry Service
Rooms
There are 6 apartments for 2-4 guests, each utterly unique in layout and décor, and dressed in an eclectic mix of vintage, mid-century and modern pieces. Original features like battered wooden doors and beautifully worn tiles have been salvaged, and the overall effect is a bohemian home-away-from-home. You’ll also find open-plan kitchenettes, spacious dining areas and big spoiling bathrooms - the Studio Apartment even has a sauna!
We loved staying in the industrial-style Master Apartment located on the second floor. It had a large living/dining room looking out over Via in Arcione, and a sweet little terrace accessed through a hidden wardrobe in the bedroom. When we come back, we’ll try one of the sophisticated Corner Apartments, which are decorated in pretty pastels and have capacious beds and vintage furniture covered in Kvadrat fabric. They can connect with one another to form the Double Corner Apartment, which sleeps 4 - ideal for families and friends.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Minibar/fridge
- WiFi
Eating
For breakfast each morning, a market bag of freshly baked bread and croissants is left outside your apartment door, and you'll find eggs, juice and fruit in the fridge.
For other meals, the modern kitchenettes are stocked with complimentary basics to rustle up an easy meal (tomato sauce, olive oil, pasta, milk, butter, yoghurts, biscotti, tea, coffee, seasonings etc), plus a few items for sale (Prosecco, wine, chocolates). And if you're feeling more adventurous, there's a CasaCau cookbook to inspire your cooking. You get a hob, fridge, kettle and Moka coffee maker but note there are no freezers or toasters. Head to Eataly Roma for your groceries - a colossal food emporium near Ostiense station, showcasing some of the very best produce Italy has to offer.
Needless to say, CasaCau’s staff have lots of great restaurant recommendations. Nearby restaurant and cocktail bar Eit is a definite Michelin star contender, and offers dishes based around just 1 ingredient. Pre-booking is advisable as there are only 7 tables.
Features include:
- Minibar/fridge
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- You're perfectly placed for the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Via Condotti (designer shopping)
- Get up early and scour the mammoth Porta Portese flea market for vintage finds
- Stroll around the beautiful Jewish Quarter, peppered with pretty little piazzas, boutiques, galleries and churches
- Make the most of your beautiful apartment after a long day's sightseeing: whip up a feast with local produce and tuck into a bottle of red. In-room massages and beauty treatments are also available on request
See our top tips for Rome.
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Wine tasting
Kids
Children are welcome and the apartments are spacious, with equipment to borrow and a central location from which you can walk to sights and family-friendly restaurants.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
Apartment with Balcony has a queensize bed and a comfortable single pull-out bed (on request). The Corner Apartments can be joined to sleep 4. The Master Apartment has a comfortable double sofabed in the lounge (suitable for 2 children aged 2-12), while the Top Floor Apartment has 2 queensize beds in one room, plus a single sofabed.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
On request (extra cost)
Baby equipment:
The following are available on request:
- Baby cots
- Night lights
- Baby monitors
- Bottle warming
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Kids Activities on site:
- Books
- Toys
Kids Activities nearby:
- Roman ruins
- Trevi Fountain
- Shopping
Distances:
- Airport: Fiumicino (45 mins) or Ciampino (30 mins)
- Hospital: 15 minutes' drive
- Shop: 2 minutes' walk
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
CasaCau is in the very heart of Rome, steps from the Trevi Fountain.
By Air:
You've got a choice of 2 airports: Fiumicino (34km), where most international flights arrive, and Ciampino (30km) for domestic and a few international flights.
From the Airport
Ask for a transfer, hop in a taxi or take the airport train from Fiumicino into the centre of Rome, then walk. From Ciampino you can catch the airport bus and then the metro. The nearest metro station to the hotel is Barberini.
By Car:
Taking a car into Rome is no joke, but if you want to hire one, see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Rome Ciampino 30.0 km CIA
- Rome Fiumicino 34.0 km FCO
Other:
- Beach 27.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
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