Palazzo Cardinal Cesi

Palazzo Cardinal Cesi is a 4-star hotel housed in a 15th-century building just 140 meters from St. Peter’s Square, along Via della Conciliazione, between Castel Sant’Angelo and the Vatican Basilica.

The property retains the historic charm of the ancient palazzo, with a private courtyard offering a quiet corner in the heart of Rome, and a library lounge where guests can enjoy a drink in an atmosphere from another era. Breakfast, continental and buffet-style, is served in the former monks’ refectory, a space that tells the story of the palazzo.

The rooms, spread across several types from singles to deluxe doubles, are furnished in classic Italian style with cherry wood furniture and tiled floors, and feature air conditioning, a private bathroom, and free WiFi. The hotel is ideal for couples or families visiting Rome who want to explore the Vatican and historic center on foot: the Ottaviano metro stop is a 10-minute walk away, and the surrounding area offers plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops for every need.

★ 8.6 · Fabulous · 1.204 reviews

Room types

The rooms at Palazzo Cardinal Cesi are spread across several types, from the Single Room designed for solo travelers to the spacious Deluxe Double, passing through superior options with single or large double beds. All share the classic Italian style, with cherry wood furniture, tiled floors, private bathroom, air conditioning, and free WiFi connection, plus flat-screen TV and minibar in most rooms.

Room sizes range from 12 sqm for the Single Room to 20 sqm for the Deluxe types, which also offer more space for luggage and relaxation. Some rooms, such as the Superior with single or double beds, offer flexible bed configurations suitable for couples or friends traveling together, while the versions with an extra bed are designed for those seeking a more spacious solution. Soundproofing, present in several rooms, ensures a good level of quiet despite the hotel’s central location.

Double Room

16 m² · Private bathroom

1 French double bed
Max 2 guests
Air conditioning, Integrated bidet, Free WiFi

The Double Room, the most compact of the classic room types at 16 sqm, features cherry wood furniture and tiled floors in perfect Italian style. The bathroom is equipped with a bidet integrated into the toilet, while the centralized air conditioning ensures consistent temperatures in every season.

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Single Room

12 m² · Private bathroom

1 single bed
Max 1 guest
Air conditioning, Free WiFi

Designed for solo travelers, the Single Room is the smallest in the property at 12 sqm, but doesn’t give up on classic style with cherry wood furniture and tiled floors. Equipped with air conditioning and free WiFi, it’s the most practical and economical choice at the hotel.

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Deluxe Double Room

20 m² · Private bathroom

2 large double beds
Max 1 guest
Coffee machine, Minibar, Large bathroom

At 20 sqm, the Deluxe Double Room is among the most spacious in the property and stands out for its large bathroom and LCD TV. It also features a coffee machine, an extra touch of comfort compared to the other double rooms.

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Superior Double/Twin Room

18 m² · Private bathroom

2 single beds or 1 large double bed
Max 2 guests
Safe, Wardrobe, Soundproofing

This 18 sqm superior room offers two alternative bed configurations, with single beds or a large double bed, ideal for adapting to couples or friends traveling together. Soundproofed walls and a private bathroom with shower and hairdryer complete a flexible and quiet solution.

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Deluxe Double Room with 1 Extra Bed

20 m² · Private bathroom

1 single bed and 1 large double bed
Max 3 guests
Extra bed, Extra capacity

With the same size as the classic Deluxe but one extra bed, this 20 sqm room is designed to accommodate up to 3 guests, making it the most suitable choice for families or small groups wishing to share the same space.

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Deluxe Double/Twin Room

20 m² · Private bathroom

2 single beds
Max 2 guests
Extra space, Separate beds

Spacious at 20 sqm like the other Deluxe rooms, this version features two separate single beds, suitable for those who prefer to sleep in separate beds while sharing the same room, for example two friends or colleagues traveling together.

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Is this the right hotel for you?

Yes, if...

Yes, if you want to stay 140 meters from St. Peter's Square without giving up the charm of a historic 15th-century palazzo
Yes, if you appreciate buffet breakfast served in a historic setting like the former monks' refectory
Yes, if you're traveling as a couple: the rooms have received a score of 9.8 for location from guests traveling as couples
Yes, if you prefer to explore the Vatican and historic center on foot, with the Ottaviano metro just 800 meters away
Yes, if you need accessible rooms or an airport shuttle, both available at the property

Maybe not, if...

Maybe not, if you're traveling with pets, as the property does not allow them
Maybe not, if you're looking for on-site private parking, which is not available at this property
Maybe not, if you plan to pay in cash, as the hotel only accepts credit cards
Maybe not, if you're organizing parties or events, which are not allowed at this property

Hotel facilities & services

Palazzo Cardinal Cesi offers guests a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage service, and express or private check-in and check-out for those seeking greater privacy. Attention to everyday details is not lacking, with daily housekeeping, ironing service, dry cleaning, and laundry available on request.

The property is also designed for accessibility, with rooms and common areas for guests with disabilities, wheelchair access, and an available airport shuttle. Among the common areas, the garden with outdoor furniture, the common lounge with TV area, and spaces for meetings or small banquets stand out.

On the security side, there are closed-circuit cameras, smoke and security alarms, magnetic key access, and continuous surveillance. Breakfast can be customized on request for special diets, and guests can also enjoy fruit and wine/champagne during their stay.

Great for your stay

Free WiFi connection
Non-smoking rooms
Airport shuttle
Rooms/facilities for disabled guests
Luggage storage
Laundry service
Elevator
Smoking area

General facilities

Outdoor furniture
Garden
Private check-in and check-out
Luggage storage
Express check-in and check-out
24-hour front desk
Daily housekeeping service
Ironing service
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Common lounge/TV area
Elevator
Rooms/facilities for disabled guests
Airport shuttle
Wheelchair access

Food & drink

Fruit
Wine/champagne
Menu for special diets (on request)

Media & technology

Internet connection

Location & what to see

Palazzo Cardinal Cesi is located on Via della Conciliazione, the wide avenue connecting Castel Sant’Angelo to St. Peter’s Basilica, in the Prati district, just steps from the Vatican. The area, elegant and frequented by pilgrims and tourists, offers a unique concentration of history and services, with cafés such as Carmine and Bar Prudenzi a few hundred meters away and the restaurant Caffe Giacomelli just 40 meters from the hotel.

St. Peter’s Square is about 250 meters away, the Vatican Museums 750 meters, and Castel Sant’Angelo 550 meters, all comfortably reachable on foot. For those traveling by public transport, the Ottaviano metro station is 800 meters away (about a 10-minute walk), while the Roma San Pietro train station is 750 meters away. Fiumicino and Ciampino airports are 17 and 14 km away respectively.

Beyond the Vatican attractions, Rome’s historic center is easily explored on foot or with a short walk: Piazza Navona is about 1.2 km away, Campo de’ Fiori 1.2 km, and the Trevi Fountain 2 km. In spring and autumn, the area is great for long walks along the bridges over the Tiber, while in summer evenings come alive in the many venues of Prati and Trastevere, a bit further away. The Vatican Gardens, visitable by reservation, are 600 meters away and represent a green oasis in the heart of the city.

St. Peter's Square — Bernini's grand baroque square in front of the Vatican Basilica 250 m

Castel Sant'Angelo — ancient fortress and museum on the Tiber, now a must-visit tourist destination 550 m

Vatican Museums — among the most important art collections in the world, including the Sistine Chapel 750 m

Ottaviano Metro Station — stop on line A, convenient for reaching the historic center 800 m

Piazza Navona — baroque square with monumental fountains in the heart of Rome 1.2 km

Trevi Fountain — Rome's most famous fountain, a destination for popular tradition 2 km

Where to Stay in Rome: the Best Areas and Small Hotels: the complete guide →

What guests say about Palazzo Cardinal Cesi

8.6

Fabulous · 1.204 reviews

Staff

9.3

Comfort

8.9

Location

9.7

Cleanliness

8.7

Facilities

8.2

Value for money

8.3

Free Wi-Fi

9

Guests particularly praise the location, rated 9.7, and the staff’s helpfulness, at 9.3. Comfort and cleanliness of the rooms are also highly appreciated. Value for money, while positive at 8.3, remains the most modest score among the categories evaluated.