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

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

Outdoor dining
Interior
Terrace/patio
Interior
Spa treatment

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

7 bedrooms7 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Gym
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pool

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

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

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.


Property manager

Marina Wallace

Languages

English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Heated pool
  • Massage
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool
  • Spa tub

Internet

  • Available in the villa: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Limo/town car service
  • Car available
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • Chef service
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 7 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 7 bathrooms
  • Bidet
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Printer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming cats and dogs only
  • Up to 10 kg per pet

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Meal delivery service
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In the city centre
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo

Things to do

  • Gym
  • Heated pool
  • Table tennis
  • Golfing nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • No smoke detector (host has indicated there is no smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Minimum check-in age - 21

Special check-in instructions

The front desk hours vary at this property
Guests must contact the property for check-in information
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
1 total (up to 10 kg per pet)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts cash
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 80
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property, but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is no smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 5000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation

About the area

Map
Roma, Città Metropolitana di Roma

What's nearby

  • Port of Rome Mall - 6 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Stadio Olimpico - 12 min drive - 10.6 km
  • Villa Borghese - 14 min drive - 12.0 km
  • Spanish Steps - 16 min drive - 11.9 km
  • Trevi Fountain - 18 min drive - 14.5 km

Getting around

  • Rome Fidene Station - 4 min drive
  • Prima Porta Station - 6 min drive
  • Ciampino Airport (CIA) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Temi - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Nduja Bufala e Pachino - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Roadhouse Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Roadhouse Grill - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Hotel Eurogarden - ‬6 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Does Elegant historic villa, 8km to Rome, air con, pool, spa, bbq, garden, services have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

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

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 10 kg per pet.

Where is Elegant historic villa, 8km to Rome, air con, pool, spa, bbq, garden, services located?

This family-friendly Rome villa is located near the beach, within 3 mi (5 km) of Port of Rome Mall and Tiber River. Via Nomentana and Ponte Milvio are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 65 out of 67 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 67 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 67 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 67 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 67 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Keith f.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our Roman Holiday
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.
Stayed 20 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandy B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Historic Family Villa
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

paul p.

Liked: Cleanliness
Out of a movie!
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!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rodney G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Villa in Rome
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.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bernadett D., Lake Forest, Illinois, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Stay
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.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Inge J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Roman historical villa
Amazing location, decoration and setting with great hosts! Simply perfect stay with the family!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Danielle F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely Respite in Rome
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Caroline L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Midsummers Night Roman Dream
Villa Il Cardinale’s magical position on a hill outside the centre of Rome is the perfect setting for a step back in time. The rose- pink Villa is more than a home, it is a treasure full of loved objects, books, photographs and paintings. Perfect for lovers of history, Art, gardens , fresh lemons and, of course, for lovers, new and old. We had our marriage blessing in the garden surrounded by family and friends and it felt both intimate and public with olive and lemon trees, a Roman Font and 2nd century wall as silent witnesses. Marina and her team were unobtrusive and helpful and we cannot thank you enough. It was beyond expectations.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Gerard D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay at Villa il Cardinale
We had a wonderful 5 days staying aWe had a wonderful 4 days staying at Villa Calli! We were a family of 8 (my wife and I, our adult, children, their partners and friends). It was the perfect location for us on a hill abut 20-25 mins from the centre of Rome by car. The Villa has old world Rome charm it contains an exotic mix of elements from the splendour of Italian glass chandeliers to original ancient Roman columns and other ! We were a family of 8 (my wife and I, our adult, children, their partners and friends). It was the perfect location for us on a hill abut 20-25 mins from the centre of Rome by car. The Villa has old world Rome charm it contains an exotic mix of elements from the splendour of Italian glass chandeliers to original ancient Roman columns and other antiquities, it is a microcosm of history. Overall the ambience of the villa reflected the city and we loved it. It is built into a hill with surrounding terrace gardens with lots of places to meet, eat or relax. The roaming garden spaces also meant everyone could find a private place when they wanted to. We loved the bedrooms with private balconies and the newly installed air conditioning which made sleeping very comfortable. It also has two (one indoor and one outdoor) yoga spaces with mats and we had our brood doing morning yoga just for fun because the tools were there. The villa has a small open-air pool which was terrific to plunge into after a hot day’s sightseeing in Rome. It also has wood fired pizza oven and on the evening of our arrival our host Marina organized a a professional pizza maker to come and cook the pizza. We all joined in creating our own wonderful pizzas! Despite the Villa’s peripheral location, the train system is really good (if slow) and a taxi for 6 from central Rome to the villa is ~€25 which worked for us as we did not have a car. The Ristorante Bel Poggio is a 2 minute walk from the villa is a good option if you don’t want to cook. Our host Marina also took care of every detail before our arrival (airport transfers etc.) and could not have been more helpful. Marina also arrange for Stefania, the housekeeper to come in every morning to prepare breakfast and make up the bedrooms. Stefania was a joy, she looked after us extremely well and was always smiling, it is hard to imagine how she could have been more pleasant and helpful and I highly recommend her to you. We had a memorable time at Villa Calli and will return in the years to come.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Martin K.

Villa Il Cardinale
The house is seeped in history, with substantial traces of Roman baths in the house and extensive gardens. Set on a verdant hill, it has a highly individual character and has been updated with great tact. Assisted by the attentive owner, the visitor is guaranteed a truly memorable experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Eric W.

Beautiful historic villa
Our family went to Rome for the dedication of the new temple in Rome. The villa was perfectly situated for our trip being only a 5 minute drive. The Villa was beautiful, we were so well cared for. A highlight of the trip was certainly our wood fired pizza party that was arranged for us. We loved the villa and the trip!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Inge J.

Amazing place, setting and service
We stayed again in Villa il Cardinale with a group of friends and had an amazing time there. The staff is extremely helpful and nice and this year's addition of the swimming pool made it an unforgettable experience in the neighbourhoods of Rome. We' ll be back for sure!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Ronnie L.

Beautiful, charming, and comfortable! Who could ask for more.
My family and I just returned from a marvelous vacation at Villa Il Cardinale in Rome. What a unique property it is and how very comofrtable and contented our group of 15 were for our entire stay. Thanks to the property itself, which was gorgeous and very much of a "one of a kind" home, and the attentiveness of Villa Owner Marina Wallace and her staff, our every need was addressed. The lit fireplaces were indeed "magical," as they had been described, our master bedroom was fit for an emperor (indeed we could probably have fit a half a dozen or so people in the bed itself, the gardens were charming, and the entire ambiance of this "gem from another era" captivated us all. Just a short distance from downtown Rome, the villa provided a quiet, tranquil spot in which we could relax after an exciting day (or night) in "The Eternal City." Everyone in our family hopes to return to the Villa again, someday, and there is no better compliment than that!
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Denise C., Ipswich

A lovely way to visit Rome. RELAX and then, GET THEE TO ROME!
Our stay could not have been more magical. More to come...
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Cristian C.

Wonderful
Marina è eccezzionale e molto disponibile, Stefania che gestisce la casa è molto ma molto affettuosa e disponibile anche lei. Posto molto bello e assolutamente tranquillo.
Stayed 1 night in May 2017

10/10 Excellent

Sebastian K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Highlight of our family trip
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!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Inge J.

Perfect stay, excellent hosts and a wonderful location
The stay in Villa Il Cardinale has been an excellent experience. The hosts are really extraordinary, as well as the setting and the facilities. The Villa is in a wonderful garden and has all services and infrastructure for having reunions or parties. We enjoyed every part of it and were amazed to be able to spend some time in this historical place.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017