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.