All,

Thanks for this discussion on apartments in Rome. I've been considering this option for my next visit!

I think I would need a written guarantee from the agency and owner that would prevent switching. I also agree that the agency should make an absolute reservation policy a condition of listing! What is a reservation anyway if it can be changed last minute? I would want a guarantee in exchange for my deposit.

Patrick - so glad to hear about your upcoming trip! It sounds just fabulous and I'm sure you will both make the most of it and enjoy! Buon viaggio!

Dayle, I agree that getting a guarantee seems like a reasonable request. I actually have an email guaranteeing my occupancy for this upcoming rental.

However, I am also a realist. I have learned the hard way that a guarantee is only as good as the paper it's written on. Sometimes things happen that cannot be avoided. There can be train strikes, flight cancellations, overbookings by car rental agencies and hotels (US and abroad) that can be very disruptive to well-planned trips.

I certainly am not making excuses for last-minute switching as noted in the above posts. I just try to make the best informed decision, and then just go with the flow. Most times things work out. When they don't, well, I count to 10 and move on.

Hi Kopp,

I have no problem with unexpected "emergencies" - like a plumbing problem or a water leak or something that would make an apt uninhabitable. But I WOULD have a problem not receiving a comparable substitute, especially just if the owner changed their mind in favor of a friend, personal use, or more profitable last minute booking!

Dayle, I couldn't agree with you more on that! I would consider that inexcusable.

Good luck with your apartment search. This is supposed to be fun, right???