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Elegant historic villa, 8km to Rome, air con, pool, spa, bbq, garden, services
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Reviews
10 out of 10
Exceptional
7 bedrooms 7 bathrooms Sleeps 12
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Roma, Città Metropolitana di Roma
- Place, Port of Rome Mall3 min drive
- Place, Villa Borghese14 min drive
- Place, Spanish Steps16 min drive
- Airport, Rome (FCO-Fiumicino - Leonardo da Vinci Intl.)30 min drive
Rooms & beds
7 bedrooms (sleeps 12)
Bedroom 1, Cardinale Suite
1 King Bed
Bedroom 2, Jolanda Room
1 King Bed
Bedroom 3, Pietro Room
1 Double Bed
Bedroom 4, Nicola Room
1 Double Bed
Bedroom 5, Juliette Room
+1
1 King Bed, 2 Single Beds and 2 Queen Beds
Bedroom 6, Marcel Room
1 Double Bed
Bedroom 7, Silvia Room
1 Double Bed
Living Room 1
1 Double Bed and 2 Single Beds
7 bathrooms
Bathroom 1, Cardinale Suite
Soap · Towels provided · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Bathroom 2, Jolanda Bedroom
Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Bathroom 3, shared between Pietro and Nicola bedrooms
Soap · Towels provided · Bidet · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Bathroom 4 Silvia Bedroom en suite
Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Bathroom 5, shared between Juliette and Marcel bedrooms
Soap · Towels provided · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Bathroom 6, downstairs shower room
Soap · Towels provided · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Stanzetta Room, en-suite
Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
About this property
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.
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.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
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House Rules
Flexible check-in available (contact host in advance of arrival)
Minimum age to rent: 21
Flexible check-out available (contact host to arrange)
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Pets
Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 10 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
Property Registration Number IT058091B47CMC2JMB
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
Rome
Located in Marcigliana, a neighbourhood in Rome, this villa is in a rural area and near the beach. Vatican Museums and Castel Sant'Angelo are cultural highlights, and some of the area's notable landmarks include Spanish Steps and Roman Forum. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Foro Italico or Stadio Olimpico. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby swimming, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding.

Roma, Città Metropolitana di Roma
What's nearby
- Port of Rome Mall - 3 min drive - 3.3 km
- Stadio Olimpico - 11 min drive - 11.3 km
- Villa Borghese - 14 min drive - 12.3 km
- Spanish Steps - 16 min drive - 12.3 km
- Trevi Fountain - 17 min drive - 13.8 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Il Caffettino - 3 min drive
- A.Ro.Ma Bar - 3 min drive
- Pizzeria L'appetitosa - 5 min drive
- Antica Hostaria dei Ghiottoni - 3 min drive
- Farina Re - 5 min drive
Frequently asked questions
About the host
Hosted by Marina Wallace

This is my family home, where I grew up for the first 19 years of my life, before moving to London for the rest of the time until three years ago. I treasure it and look after it with love.. Having raised a family in London, where I worked all my life, this Roman home provided a refuge for myself, my children and their late grandmother, and I now love sharing it with all the wonderful guests who choose to inhabit it. I worked as an art curator in London until four years ago, and love "curating" events and family reunions for my guests with my devoted staff who also very much enjoy working together with my guests devising their perfect Roman holiday.
I was chosen as a top host by VRBO a few years ago, before the Covid lockdown, for my systematic attention to detail, creativity, and unwavering care of my guests very needs.
I speak English fluently, I can also speak German (remembering the language of my childhood), and can understand and manage in French and Spanish.
I was chosen as a top host by VRBO a few years ago, before the Covid lockdown, for my systematic attention to detail, creativity, and unwavering care of my guests very needs.
I speak English fluently, I can also speak German (remembering the language of my childhood), and can understand and manage in French and Spanish.
Why they chose this property
This is a truly unique property because those who come to Rome do so for the very reasons why and how this house was built in the 1st Century AD. It walls and stones speak of Roman history, of its multiple layers through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, up to the 20th Century. Every single mosaic stone in the garden bares the memory of Imperial Roma, its rise and its decadence.
This villa is all this and yet it is only two steps away form the ring-road (GRA) that connects to all Roman roads, VIa Salaria, VIa Flaminia, Via Cassia, VIa Tiburtina.... And, as we well know, "All Roads lead to Rome".
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.
This villa is all this and yet it is only two steps away form the ring-road (GRA) that connects to all Roman roads, VIa Salaria, VIa Flaminia, Via Cassia, VIa Tiburtina.... And, as we well know, "All Roads lead to Rome".
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.
What makes this property unique
The Villa is listed as a Heritage Property on the register of Dimore Storiche Italiane as well as a Residenza d'Epoca, gaining a Silver Crown, Corona d'Argento for its historical value and for the high level of hospitality achieved throughout a decade. The garden feels like a small park, and provides a welcome back after strolling through the busy streets of Rome. The spaciousness of the garden and house offers large groups of friends or families privacy as well as joyful shared experiences.
My staff and I very much enjoy being available to our guests for all their needs, planning with them their perfect Roman holiday.
My staff and I very much enjoy being available to our guests for all their needs, planning with them their perfect Roman holiday.
Languages:
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
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