Rome Feature

For parties of more than two, Roman hotel rooms can be a little too cramped for comfort. If you're traveling in a group or with your family, the best solution may be a short-term apartment rental. Apartments are generally rented out the old-fashioned way by their owners, though in some cases a realtor or management company is involved. There is usually a minimum of a three-night stay. Prices will vary, but expect them to be higher in the historic city center, the Vaticano/Borgo, the Campo de' Fiori, and Trastevere areas. Keep in mind that there's sometimes an extra charge involved for final cleaning, utilities, and Internet access when renting an apartment. When seeking a holiday home in Rome, start your research online. Rome's official tourism Web site (en.turismoroma.it) offers a search function for a number of different housing options.

Wanted in Rome (www.wantedinrome.com) is a popular English language "expat" magazine that features a classifieds section on their Web site. The Bed & Breakfast Association of Rome (www.b-b.rm.it) offers an online apartment rental search in addition to their B&B search. They personally inspect all properties on their site. Cross-Pollinate (www.cross-pollinate.com), an accommodation service owned by the people who run the Beehive Hotel, gives visitors the autonomy to find something a little different. They personally screen all properties. San Francisco-based CraigsList hosts classifieds for 450 cities worldwide, including Rome. CraigsList Rome lists postings for apartments, houses, swaps, sublets, and other vacation rentals at rome.en.craigslist.it/.

Hotels with Apartments

More and more hotels in Rome now offer a selection of apartments (either located on the grounds or just nearby), in addition to rooms and suites to their prospective guests. Albergo Santa Chiara. 3 apartments. Via Santa Chiara 21, Pantheon, Rome, 00186. 06/6872979. www.albergosantachiara.com.

Hotel Campo de' Fiori. 11 apartments. Via del Biscione 6, Campo de' Fiori, Rome, 00186. 06/68806865. www.hotelcampodefiori.it.

Italia. 1 apartment. Via Venezia 18, Termini, Rome, 00184. 06/4828355. www.hotelitaliaroma.com.

Julia. 2 apartments. Via Rasella 29, Via Veneto, Rome, 00187. 06/4881637. www.hoteljulia.it.

Mecenate Palace Hotel. 2 apartments. Via Carlo Alberto 3, Termini, Rome, 00185. 06/44702024. www.mecenatepalace.com.

Trastevere. 3 apartments. Via Luciano Manara 24a-25, Trastevere, Rome, 00153. 06/5814713. www.hoteltrastevere.net.

Residence Hotels

Residence hotels also specialize in short-let vacation rentals. They usually have fully equipped kitchens and offer linens, laundry, and cleaning services. Most are available for weekly or monthly rentals. Costs for an apartment for two range from about EUR 1,300 for a week to EUR 2,600 per month. Aldrovandi Residence City Suites (Via Ulisse Aldrovandi 11, Parioli, Rome, 00197. 06/3221430. www.aldrovandiresidence.it.)

Residence Ripetta (Via di Ripetta 231, Popolo, Rome, 00186. 06/3231144. www.ripetta.it.)

Palazzo al Velabro (Via del Velabro 16, Ghetto, Rome, 00186. 06/6792758. www.velabro.it.)

Mecenate Palace Hotel. 10 executive "residence" rooms. Via Carlo Alberto 3, Termini, Rome, 00185. 06/44702024. www.mecenatepalace.com.