NeoPatrick

Lest people misunderstand me, I agree that the hand held showers are WONDERFUL. I only want there to be a hook on the wall so I can actually stand under it and have both hands free to scrub my hair, and manage soap and washcloth (oops, now I've done it -- started the wash cloth argument again!).

Sally30

Has anyone rented from Windows on Italy (I think they are also called Windows on Tuscany)? What was your experience?

iamq

Sally,
You will probably get more responses to your inquiry if you start a separate thread.

sparks

Here's another idea. We stayed last year at an apartment that had two other apartments in the same building. Same owner & about two or three blocks from the Spanish Steps. They were puting in an elevator while we were there, but two of the apartments shared stairs which were about one flight up. Loved the location & the apartment. Here's the owner's website: http://relaisrome.com/ & it is also on sleepinitaly.com. Roos look larger than they are but we would book them again if we were to return.

lvitaly

NeoPatrick,
If you are renting the Minerva Apt.which if i am reading correctly you are, there is indeed a seperate shower in that same bathroom as you see the tub. Also, not that we used it but there is an AC unit in the apt. The owner who let us in would have been charging extra to use it, at least last year she was. You may want to clarify that with Sleep In Italy.

michelle110

I loved the Residenza Canali and highly recommend it.

happytotravel

Michelle110, thanks The Residenza Canali looks nice, do you know if they have quad rooms?

Right now Guilia at sleep in Italy is looking into 2 apartments near the Pantheon for me, both are available and she said a 5 minute walk from each other. The rates are so reasonable I was thinking of booking them both, one for us and one for 1 set of inlaws, and then have the other set of parents get a hotel. Any comments:

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_rotonda.html
and
http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_minerva.html

LAwoman

There is a thread that discusses the second apt at this link:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34865877

We stayed at a different Sleep in Italy apt on Via dei Pastini, you couldn't ask for a better location. It's incredible to stay so close to the Pantheon.

NeoPatrick

lvitaly, thanks for the comments. This is really bizare, because when I saw that other website's pictures I contacted Giulia at SleepinItaly to ask about AC since it isn't listed on the other site. I also mentioned that I saw in the pictures that there is only a hand-held device in the tub -- no "real" shower. He answered back to say that YES there is AC, but we shouldn't use it as it is bad for your health and the environement. I thought that comment was kind of funny. On the other hand, he never mentioned if there was an additional charge to use the AC.

But he also went into a whole thing about how that kind of device is standard in Italy -- only a hand held shower and no curtain or partition. Never did he mention that there is actually an entire separate enclosed shower in the bathroom! Maybe he didn't remember that? But we're sure glad to hear there is. I hate those open tubs that don't even have a hook on the wall to attach the shower so you can have both hands free.

annhig

hi, happy,

when i first saw your post, I was a bit confused as two out of the three apartments hadn't got enoough beds; I jsut read it again, and now I understand, I think.

still not sure though, what the exact compostion of your party is - assuming you and spouse plus your parents and his? which set of in laws get sent to the hotel - yours or his? is this politic [only you know?]

You might like to think about how the cruise is going to go if one set has their noses out of joint from the start!

I would try to treat them both the same - all in or all out. so your first apartment would work well, and for 6 adults looks a good deal, and great location.

but reading it again, is it you, spouse and kids plus two sets of inlaws?, in which case any of the apartments plus two hotel rooms could be good.

one consideration for the apartment is that it needs a very large dining table!

I'd try to be as central as possible - it will make it easier to co-ordinate dining arrangements if some of te hparty want to go and do their own thing.

THere are loads of apartment agencies - we booked through "italy accom" who were very good and helpful. they have a number of adjoining apartments in their listings under large groups, including some on the piazza navona, which is very central.

good luck with your searches,

regards, ann

LAwoman

Patrick, I think Giulia is female.

NeoPatrick

darn. I can't seem to get that right. I know that I've been corrected on Giulia's sex before, but then I can never remember which way I stated it and which way it was corrected. It seems that I would have assumed it was a female name and had been corrected that it was a male. Guess not.

LAwoman

I know it means Julia in English and her phrasings are female but I can't bet my firstborn on it or anything.

happytotravel

Annhig: I am confused too as what to do with the parents, I do want us to all get along before, because we will have 12 days together after that. But I don't really want to stay in the apartment with either set, that is a little too much togetherness. I was thinking my husbands parents in the 2nd apartment because she has food allergies and would have access to a kitchen, and my parents who need more pampering, in a hotel. Both sets are all right with me planning it, but you are right I don't want to start the trip off on the wrong foot.

That is a great tip about finding ajoining apartments, I am going to look into it

I am not sure if Giulia is male/female, but wichever, he/she has been very quick to respond.

NeoPatrick

Speaking of adjoining apartments, you might go back and look at Palazzo Olivia. There are two apartments per floor and some of them are arranged to make it one huge apartment.

annhig

hi, happy,

like kids, the wrinklies will probably be happier of you let them think that they have been fully consulted, whilst you retain control!

noses out of joint to be avoided at all costs. will your spouse be supporting you fully in this? how old are your kids?

regards, ann

lvitaly

NeoPatrick,
FYI about the apt. which we failed to notify Sleep In Italy over.My husband in that shower recieved a pretty good "jolt" when his wet hand reached for the bath towel( his hand did touch the hook) on the metal towel hook ajacent to the shower. Something is not grounded properly but like i said, we never did report this to the owner which we did talk to when we vacated the apt. She does not speak very good english so i meant to email Sleep In Italy when we got home but i never did.
Be careful !! Otherwise it is one of the best kept secrets around and even better than Palazzo Olivio IMO and i thought i'd never say that
If you speak Italian Patrick i have the owners cell phone number if you want to ask her about the air conditioning.She discouraged us from using it ( cost to much and we have to pay like 10E a day but it is there.

NeoPatrick

Ok, thanks, lvitaly. Today I got another email from Giulia. I had emailed after reading your post that there was definitely a separate shower, and she responded that perhaps one had been added or a curtain had been hung at the tub. I get the impression that she really is NOT familiar with this apartment. I also mentioned that you had said there was AC, but the owner charged for its use, and she replied that AC would be included if used in June or July. We're going to be there almost the exact same week as last year, and we never once turned on the AC in the apartment we rented.

I'll try not to get myself electrocuted in the shower.

gazer5

the Relais Pierret- (go onto google to find #) residence in rome right next to the spanish steps- above the Furla store-had apartments and looked very nice-and was very reasonable. we were going to stay there on our recent trip in april-but they could not accomodate oall of our party.we stayed a few blocks away at the Grand Hotel Plaza [email protected] was also very nice-and a great location

lvitaly

NeoPatrick, maybe its a good thing she has never been, for the size of the place and location the price cannot be beat. I do see they raised the prices a bit but still worth every penney.
When are you going so i can make sure i read about your trip when you guys get back.I will be very curious to know how you like the place.
The shower has no curtain it is glass and roomy ( by italian standards) as my husband is no lean, mean fighting machine but rather "x" football player body that turns to mush and blubber throughout the years ))