BaltoTraveler

We'll be in Rome for several days in late June, after a week in Tuscany, traveling with our two young-20s kids... the first time visiting Rome for all of us. We were thinking of getting a 2-bedroom apartment instead of a hotel. After looking at the possibilities on VRBO and other sources, I'm kind of overwhelmed. To help narrow things down, I'd like your input about which neighborhood would best suit our needs -- convenient to the city's important historical sites (either walking or by public transit); safe to walk around at night; plentiful availability of shops and non-touristy restaurants; and reasonably close to some nightlife options for the kids.

If you could recommend a specific apartment, that would be even better!

MFNYC

Anything near Piazza Navona, the pantheon or campo de' fiori is the most central. Also Trestavere is a nice nieghborhood to stay in, with lots of restaurants and near main sights. Trevi fountain and spanish steps are also fairly central.

bardo1

I agree with MFNYC re. choice neighboorhoods. Also look here for apartment info/reviews:

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/list.asp?r=Rome

Kugellager

My wife and I are at a similar point and are in the process of looking for apartments as well. We also prefer to walk as we feel we see more that way. Balto Traveler describes almost exactly the type of 'tourist' we are. We have had good luck with VRBO in the past for Paris.

I too have heard that the above mentioned areas are good central locations for a stay in Rome. If one were staying in the Pantheon neighborhood at what looks like about 1/2 way between Vatican City and the Colosseum, what kind of walking distance/times are we talking about? Looks like it is less than about one mile to each directly.

];')

sjj

Bear in mind that Rome is hilly, and it's awfully easy to get tired if you don't use the mass transit system or taxis. With this in mind, I think MFNYC is right in suggesting Piazza Navona, the Pantheon or Campo de' Fiori as good places to stay. Besides being in a great area, apartments in these neighborhoods are close to Largo Torre Argentina, a worthwhile tourist destination in its own right and a good place to catch buses.

Regarding Kugellager's question, if I were staying near the Pantheon I would walk to the Colosseum because there's a lot of interesting stuff to see en route, like the Campidoglio, the Capitoline Hill museums, the Forums, and some interesting churches, including San Pietro in Vincoli, with its statue of Moses by Michaelangelo. For getting to St. Peters, I suggest walking part of the way, taking in the Ara Pacis and maybe Castel Sant'Angelo en route, and then taking a bus.

Apres_Londee

I stayed in this 2 bedroom apartment located in the old Jewish Ghetto, very central in the historic centre:

http://www.realrome.com/propreginella1.html

I loved the neighborhood and I can definitely recommend Real Rome as an apartment agency. The manager Tim is great to deal with and speaks English first language so there are no communication difficulties.

J62

I stayed in this 2 bedroom apartment located near the Campo dei Fiori, very central in the historic centre:

http://www.residenzagiubbonari.com/home.html

We used the blue apartment. Not luxurious but roomy and good location.

annhig

Hi Balto,

we're due to stay at this 2 bedded apartment in a week's time:

http://www.lacasadiclelia.webs.com/

if you can wait that long, I'll be posting a trip report when we get back......

whatever you do, I would advise staying in the Campo dei fiori/piazza navona area. although we enjoyed ourselves, [hard not to in Rome] the first time we stayed in Rome with our kids [then 18 & 15] the area we stayed in near the Colosseum was not ideal - it was close to the colosseum, of course, but too far from the places where we wanted to spend most of our time.


the number of apartments is overwhelming, but if you start to refine down what you want [eg 2 beds, 2 bathrooms, lift, terrace, not too expensive] you'll soon come up with a short-list.

then, how do you want to pay? many places like the one we're staying in, expect most of the payment in cash when you arrive. others want a bankers draft in advance, and yet others will accept a credit card payment for the whole amount.

then, there's the time you're planning to arrive. our flight time means that we don't arrive til about 9pm, and lots of the agencies want t ocharge extra for that or can't accomodate late arrivals at all.

and look at the cleaning arrangements - some agencies/owners charge extra fo cleaning - a bit odd given they've got to clean the place anyway.

by the time you've worked your way through all this, and found a place you like the look of, you'll find that you've narrowed down your search quite considerably.

good luck with the apartment hunting,

regards, ann

djtrout

We stayed in Casa Paradiso which we booked through Sleepinitaly.com. It's in Campo d'Fiori and is very close to everything. We walked to the Vatican, Colosseum, Pantheon and many, many wonderful restaurants right outside our door. Our place had three levels so could actually sleep 6 but there were only 4 of us and it was perfect. We don't typically do tours but did one of the Colosseum and Forum (Through Eternity Tours of Rome) and our guide was excellent..she kept 2 teens entertained for 3 hours in 93 degree heat! There wasn't one thing about Rome I didn't love, well maybe the 93 degree heat--but it was July!

leuk2

We stayed at Palazzo Olivia (sp). It was great- 2 minute walk to piazza navona, 3 minute walk to Campo d'Fiori. Quiet ,clean and comfortable. Great location

Maudie

leuk2, which apartment did you stay in at Palazzo Olivia? If annhig gives me the thumbs down about the apartment she is staying in then that is my second choice.

annhig

ok Maudie - you'll have to hang on though til about Feb 20th when we get back!

Maudie

Hi annhig, hope you have a fantastic holiday and I will look forward to reading your report.

When you get back I will need your help with our UK part of our trip too.

Best wishes
M

annhig

grazie Maudie.

arrivederci!

leuk2

We stayed in a 1 br apt. on the top floor. All the apts are in the same building. I think the other apt. on the top floor was a 2 br.

Maudie

Many thanks leuk2, I will check it out.

m179

Hi Ann, How was the Clélie's house apartment? The pictures an the website look nice. We are a family of 6 traveling in July. Our kids are teenagers and early 20s, so basically all adults. Just looking for a clean central and reasonably price apartment.

Thanks,
Michele

annhig

hi michele,

www.lacasadiclelia.webs.com was fine, but is no way big enough for 6! IMHO it is ideal for 3 people, but I would suggest no more than that, unless they are either very small or very friendly. the 2nd bedroom is accessed through the firts, and really only has room for one bed; though there was a "put you up" underneath it, there would have been no room left if we'd had to use it. [we were a party of three].

also there is really only one bathroom, which would be insufficient for 6 - the main bathroom is through the 2nd bedroom, with only a small loo and basin in a very small room off the main bedroom. there is a shower in there, but it would flood the whoel room, and really as a joke by the architect.

however, for 3 it was fine, very convenient for everything you might want to see or the means of getting there, on the ground floor which makes a change, very bright and well -equipped. and the area was great - loads of interesting and useful shops nearby plus lots of restaurants patronised by locals.

so I would recommend the area to you, but for 6, not that apartment.

regards, ann

LikeLivingThere

We've used www.romepower.com. They are not the least expensive but the apartment was nice and service was great. And the web site is broken down by area.

We were west of Navona, right across from Castel Sant Angelo, so could walk to the Vatican. That whole area is touristy but if you get a block or two off the main squares it's less so. And there's lots for young people (we had three with us).

Re: the posts above, be very careful with the sleeping quarters - many times the sofa is counted, or there can be one room that really isn't suitable for an adult or is accessible only through another. Your comfort will depend on your budget, especially that time of year.

m179

Hi Ann,
Thanks for the feedback. I will keep looking. I fould a couple of others. Tiberino in the Jewish Ghetto and Terry's House near the forum.

Take Care,
Michele