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. 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
While CasaCau's central location is super convenient for exploring the city, it comes with large numbers of tourists and the restaurants can be expensive. The eclectic neighbourhood of Monti is only a 10-minute walk away, where you'll find authentic family-run trattorias, funky bars and a much more local crowd.
- Boutique Apartments
- 6 apartments for 2-5
- 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 2-5 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 stayed in one of the Corner Apartments which was perfect for a couple enjoying a long weekend away. If you are a party of more than two they can connect with one another to form the Double Corner Apartment, which sleeps 4 - ideal for families and friends. They feature high ceilings, benefiting the room with a sense of space, and are decorated with pretty pastels and vintage furniture covered in Kvadrat fabric. The kitchen is small but provides ample room for preparing light meals; with so many amazing eateries on your doorstep, this is all you'll need it for.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- 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.
Take a 5-minute stroll to hole-in-the-wall Pane e Salame, a modest bistro serving up Italian wines and generous platters of cured meats and cheeses. A snug space - think cosy converted wine cellar - that attracts those in the know with its ambience and attentive staff. It fills up fast but there is some seating outside too. Needless to say, CasaCau’s staff have lots of great restaurant recommendations so when you're after something a little more substantial head straight to them.
Features include:
- Basic ingredients provided
- Breakfast
- Chef on request
- Coffee maker
- Hob or stove
- Kitchenette
- Meal delivery service
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- You're perfectly placed for the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Via Condotti (designer shopping)
- Get up early on a Sunday 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
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Art classes
- Historical sites
- Language courses
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- 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 6 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape