Help Fodorites! After months of watching airfare go up, up and finally down, we have purchased tickets for our trip to Italy in May.

We are trying to rent an apartment for the first time. Naturally with only just over three months to go, the selection is not the widest.

We are traveling as a family of three, DH, DD (16yrs old) and myself.

These are the options which have been presented to us by the agencies:

This is currently my first choice as it has two bedrooms:

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_falegnami.html

these are the others:

http://www.rentalinrome.com/conserva...servatorio.htm

Coronari Split Level:
Description: http://www.realrome.com/propcoronari1.html

Testaccio Querini 0102:
Description: http://www.realrome.com/proptestaccioquerini0102.html

Lungaretta Split Level:
Description: http://www.realrome.com/proplungarettasplit.html

Scala Cortile:
Description: http://www.realrome.com/propscalacortile.html

Panisperna
Description: http://www.realrome.com/proppanisperna.html

If this is your first time in Rome I would not pick the one in Testaccio, although a great neigborhood, it is too far away, you will be on the bus to get anywhere, the metro does't run over there.
My first choices would be your first two, I like the second one better and it has two bedrooms, one double and the other with two singles. It is on the 3rd floor, which is 4th to you, without a lift, is that a problem? I don't love the first one, don't know why.
Trastevere is also a wonderful neighborhood, but again, you will be walking or busing it to get to the sites.
The last one, in Monti, is really nice too. It has the second room for DD, like the bright colors and light. Monti is a nice area and closer to everything, including the metro. It is also on the 3rd floor without a lift, if this is a concern.
Have fun choosing!

I would not use the rental in rome agency no matter how good the apartment looks. I had 2 problems with them last year . The first one they substituted a rental and that worked out alright. The 2nd was a disaster. The apartment that I had contracted for ( one that I had used the previous year) was not available when I showed up at the agreed time. They tried to substitue a vastly inferior apartment and basically left me stranded when I declined that apartment. I had to find another place to stay and paid more. It took much time and arguments to get my money back. I would never again use this agency.

Hi marigross,

I would stick with your first choice, which would give your 16 yr old daughter her own bedroom and bit of privacy.

Sleep in Italy gets a lot of positive reviews here, and the Campo di Fiori is a great location. I'm not familiar with the exact location of that apartment though, maybe another poster can comment on that.

Oh, I didn't notice the last one from realrome has an extra sleeping room that would give your daughter some privacy...that's a nice looking apartment and a big plus (to me) is that it has a bathtub.

Hmmm, maybe I'd go with one, if your daughter is okay with sleeping on a single pull-out sofa bed. I've rented from realrome and can say that Tim Pearson is great to work with.

Good luck! I don't think you can lose out either way.

The third floor (US fourth) without is not really a problem.

DH and I have been to Rome, but DD has not.

I'm inclined towards the 1st one, but the second and last are also good alternatives.

Isn't the last one a bit out of the way?

ttt

Not such a great review of the first at slowtrav.
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/review.asp?n=1894

Thanks for the link to the review! At least the beds were comfortable

The last one is most certainly NOT out of the way. Monti is a great little neighborhood, sort of between Termini and the Spanish Steps, if that makes sense. Say you are standing at the Coliseum, facing away from it towards the metro on I think Victor Emanuel, Monti is behind there. It looks to be very close to the other metro stop, can't recall the name. I would say it is about a 20 min walk from the Colosseum to Campo dei Fiori, so maybe 15 mins from your apartment? Our friends rented an apartment in this area for 2 weeks and we stayed with them for a few nights. Tons of restaurants and shops and really not a ton on tourists.
With the negative review of RentalinRome, I wouldn't touch that apartment, I hate to hear about bait and switch!

Hi marigross,

What is most important to you in a Roman apartment rental? Location (and what kind of location: peaceful, busy, close to a lot of sights, pretty, etc.), amenities, decor, ambience, two bedrooms...?

By the way, I just rented from Rentalinrome without any problems whatsoever.

Coronari is in the thick of things on a pretty street. I like Panisperna as well, although it's a little further out but sorta in a good way...actually, I think in terms of location, these are all good except for Testaccio (for first-timers; I like Testaccio).

I would choose the apartment that's most appealing. And see if you can get a street view on google maps. Rome doesn't have all the tiny streets covered, but you'd be surprised. There's a lot there.

Thanks to all! I decided on the first apartment. I will let you know how it goes.

Just a comment that I have used vrbo.com for apartments in Rome and never a problem. Renting directly from owners is often not only cheaper, but in MY experience, tends to speed things off if there is any noted deficiency.