TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!”
Boston
Feb 14, 2007 | Trip type: Family
8/8 found this review helpful
Our family of 4 (Self, wife, son aged 17 and son
aged 2) toured Europe for a month. We stayed 6 days
in Rome @ the Scandeluzza Castle. As you can tell
by other reviews, it seems one either hates it or
loves it - WE LOVED IT! Often, travelers from the
West (espec. N. American Continent) are "finicky"
or "fussy" about silly little things.
We wanted to experience "true life" while
traveling and we were able to gain that by staying
at Scandeluzza Castle. Upon our arrival (via pre-arranged
car/driver booked thru same agent that booked us
for castle), we discovered that electricity service
is not dependable in Rome! LOL I felt bad for Xenia
as she seemed soooo embarrassed, but we laughed
it off and the power was back on in 20 mins. We
had originally booked the Xenia suite, but the Prince
insisted that we instead choose from that or any
of the other available rooms, so we instead chose
the Pelligrini Suite, allowing for much more room
for a family of 4 with two separate private areas.
The suite was LARGE, by any standards, but especially
so by European standards! No sooner were we assisted
with our luggage up to the 3rd flr. (no lift here,
but worked fine for us - just make a note of it
if you have trouble with stairs), we were handed
our key and reminded that beds were made daily,
but towels and linens would be changed every 2 days
(unless requested prior). We unpacked a bit and
as it was 2PM, the wife and I thought we'd scoot
into Rome and get some Euros from ATM as we were
running low. The boys stayed behind and rested.
Prince Fillipo had provided our 2 yr. old several
small, antique cars/trucks, etc...to play with.
The very toys he played with himself as a child,
and his Mother, the Princess, had a tear in her
eye watching our son play with them, as she said
he reminded her so much of her own son years ago.
It was a touching moment. We were supplied, free
of charge, with tickets for bus into town/subway
(yes, it is 4 miles!!! So plan on transportation
time, if you know Rome, this can be a long time).
We caught the bus to town, but on the wrong side
of the street! So, instead of going into town, we
went out of it and around it and thru it and any
other way you can imagine......it was 2 hours well
spent to see so much of the Lazio countryside and
outskirts of Rome - and for free! Upon our return
4-5 hours later, we were all tired from travel from
Paris earlier in day and hungry for dinner. At 7:30,
we ventured over to the small restaurant across
the side street from Scandeluzza, as highly recommended
by Ms. Xenia. It's called "Papi Pizza"
and is our new favorite restaurant in the world!!
I fed a family of 4, each a 3 course dinner, including
wine, 2 cocktails for me, AND deserts (not to mention
including the most awesome anti-pasta bar ever!)
- all for $50 U.S.!!! Unheard of anywhere in Europe!
For the next 6 days while in Rome, we ate at Papi
Pizza at least 1x per day, sometimes 2 if we happenned
to be around for lunch AND dinner hours. To be honest,
Scandeluzza Castle and Papi Pizza are reason enough
to return to Rome in and of themselves! On our 3rd
day in Rome, we foolishly divided up 2 of our credit
cards, letting my older son of 17 keep one in his
wallet which he kept in his front pocket guarded
at all times with his hand on it. At all times that
is, except for when being shoved aside in the subway
during rush-hour, of course it was promptly stolen.
After filing reports with police & credit card
cos., we returned to Scandeluzza Castle feeling
kind of "down and out". The day before,
the Prince and Princess themselves had invited us
to a private function for that evening - it was
to be a knighting ceremony! We decided to dress
appropriately and go as planned instead of moping
about our earlier pick-pocket experience on Subway.
Upon our arrival into the Great Hall (wife on my
arm as we slowly descended the stairs), we felt
(and were treated) like royalty! We were just a
bit "fashionably late". There were well
over 100 people seated. Gentlemen stood to greet
my wife and the typical European "shmoozing"
began, as though WE WERE THE ROYALS in the room!
The Prince performed some toasts of some sort in
Italian and we were seated by white gloved attendants.
I couldn't believe what happenned next as his Mother,
the Princess herself, came to my side with a FULL
LEG OF LAMB! She explained in very limited English
that she cooked it herself and then set it in front
of me and said "....eat, eat - for you....I
do for you!" I only thought of how gluttonous
I must've looked! The food, the knighting ceremony
of a wealthy businessman from town, the wine from
Prince Fillipo's private vineyard, the music, etc...
was all AWESOME and made for an unforgettable evening!
My wife ended up dancing with Embassadors, Lords,
Dignitaries, etc.. for most of the evening and we
no doubt felt very "Regal" - hehe. It
was a night to remember, one we'll treasure forever!
The next night we had purchased food "to go"
from Papi Pizza next door, for our sons, as we had
made exclusive dinner plans ahead of time alone
at the Scandeluzza Castle (they will provide private
dinner for 2 at 100 Euro). It was veal with all
the appropriate side dishes and presented to us
by the Miss Xenia. Although it was well prepared,
presented and delicious, I would've chosen Papi-Pizza
instead, but didn't want to be rude and cancel reservation
@ Scandeluzza Castle. We had the run of the castle
that evening! Also, several times thru-out our stay,
the Prince would "entice" us with a bit
of his private stock of wine or other Italian "beverages",
it made for a warm and welcoming atmosphere. His
mother, the Princess Pelligrino, took my hand once
as we were on our way to tour Rome one morning,
and she guided me to her husbands private burial
chapel on the grounds of Scandeluzza Castle. Although
she spoke little to no English, and I the same of
Italian, we "spoke" for over an hour and
shared something special that day. Several mornings
we were provided with a ride to the subway free
of charge. On one morning in particular, the Prince
and his mother took us, but stopped on the way at
a large, local groceria and then took us out for
capuccinos and mid-morning "treats". The
Prince, his family and staff all took fondly to
our sons and treated them with kindness and affection.
We will DEFINITELY return to Scandeluzza Castle
and Papi Pizza again - unfortunately, it just won't
be soon enough! Mark and Yvette Michaud, Boston,
MA USA
“Wonderful Experience”
Birmingham, AL
Oct 23, 2009 | Trip type: Friends getaway
My four friends and I stayed at the Castle for 3
nites and had a wonderful experience. Miss Xenia
treated us like honored guests instead of paying
customers. Our accommodations were big and comfortable
and a very large bathroom!! We had tours scheduled
early and arrangements were made to serve us breakfast
early and any request was taken care of quickly.
Even though a driver was required each day to get
back and forth from the center of Rome, it was well
worth it to be able to get away from the noise,
etc in Rome. If we make it back for another trip,
we would definitely stay there again.
“Castello Scandeluzza is the best place I
have ever been!!!”
Mar 26, 2005
18/24 found this review helpful
The castle is magnificant and we are leaving here
with many fond memories! The prince Filippo and
his staff are very welcoming, friendly and very
helpful. I would recommend to everyone to visit
it! Wonderful accomodation!
“My family will always remember the castle!”
Mar 30, 2006
6/6 found this review helpful
This place is superb!Great hospitality!Very romantic
place!There is something special and unic!
Visit it!Scandeluzza Castle is absolutley amazing!
Tom&Jerry!
“Castello Scandeluzza è un posto
meraviglioso”
Roma
Feb 24, 2006
3/3 found this review helpful
immaginare ....per ogni oggetto, quadro, stanza,
tappeto, la loro storia ... è stata una
sensazione meravigliosa... Tutto ci ha lasciato
incantati in una magica e rispetosa contemplazione.
Grazie di averci fatto vivere tutto questo Castello
Scandeluzza!!!!
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..::: INDIRIZZO |
Castello Scandeluzza |
Via
Scandeluzza, 11 |
00166 Roma |
Tel 06.61.56.18.40
Cell 320.042.08.64
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Fax 06.61.56.53.97 |
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..::: DOVE ? |
Roma,
Via Boccea |
6 km dal Vaticano |
Autobus 904 |
Metro A "Cornelia" |
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20 Km dall'Aereoporto di Fiumicino |
30 Km dall' Aereoporto di Ciampino |
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..::: MAPPA |
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