How trustworthy are apartment rentals in Italy off websites?
 

I have liked 2 apartments, one in Venice and another in Florence on airbnb.com and holiday leggings.co.uk respectively.
Both are offering an excellent price, but I don't even know if they exist.
Neither have any reviews, aren't posted on any other website and the owner in case of the Venice apt, is new.
How do I know that they're legit, and/or are as advertised?
Here are the links, if anybody can help me out here:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1049446
https://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/re...lorence/394486
Thanks.

I've never used either of those rental sites, but have used Sleepsinitaly.com. They have a helpful staff and the apartments (I rented 2 last year - one in Rome and one in Florence, and am renting another in Rome at the end of this month) have all been exactly as pictured and described.

Highly recommend this rental company. Very trustworthy.

I haven't used AirBnB but from what I've heard, it has a little more safety than some websites like VRBO because AirBnB acts as a middleman and the owner doesn't get the money until you are there or somethign like that. Don't know the details, but you can find out.

My gut feeling is it is legitimate because I like him writing in Italian asking you to be quite between certain hours (and not smoking). May be dumb to think that way, just seems like something a scam artist wouldn't write.

However, there isn't any way in the world you can guarantee everything is exactly as promised on any of these kind of websites. It is tough for someone starting out without reviews.

Anyway, sorry, I don't have any great tips to figure out what is legit, except to check the money policies, as I said.

Thanks, but these apartments feel like good deals.
I'm going to go with your gut feeling, Christina. Fingers crossed!

The one in Florence is cheap because it's way out and not very convenient to the historic center. I would stay somewhere more central.

Oh. The owner conveyed to me that it was quite central and walking distance or a short bus ride away from the centre. H,m.

Kybourbon it looks pretty central, could you be thinking of somewhere else?

No, it's on Via Alessandro Manzoni and is not really central.

It's west of the train station, which to me has always been the cut-off point for choosing a location in Florence.

However, if you google the street, it looks quite attractive. There are far dingier and more characterless streets in the central area.

I might not choose it for myself, because I'm addicted to the Oltrarno neighbourhood - but if price is an issue, it may be worth the walk.

abshim: "Due diligence" on both these places should include checking other renters' reviews. If a place has no reviews at all, I would avoid it.

I'm not saying the place does not exist - only that you have no way of determining the condition of the property, the standard of housekeeping etc.

Professional photos can be very, VERY deceptive. As a very frequent renter of holiday apartments, I can attest to this from personal experience. (My worst experiences have been in the US, btw)

I can understand what Ted thinks, if you are risk averse, I'd do that also. But reviews obviously can be completely edited, anyway, or even fictional, at least on some websites. Hope it turns out okay, at least Roberto in Venice seems pretty fluent in English from the text. And at least he cares about keeping the place quiet, which is very nice. In fact, I haven't seen terms that specific on too many websites (must be quiet and respect the periods of silence and repose between certain hours, one being the "siesta" and the other between 11 pm and 7 am).

The benefit to using a "service" (Sleepinitaly, airbnb, rentalsinrome,etc) is that they make their money by being the management agent and making people happy. So, if you are unhappy with an apartment, they know it will get out and lower their rating on these travel boards.

When you use a service like VRBO, where owners list their own properties, then you do incur a bit more risk.

That being said, I found my absolute best Venice apartment (I have just reserved it for my 4th stay) on VRBO.com.

I am also renting from RentalInRome for the first time. (I usually rent from SleepInItaly when in Rome.) So far, I am very impressed with RentalInRome. THey have been very responsive and were quick to make recommendations based on my need of accommodations that allowed pets. I will, of course, report back here after my stay. :)

One more note- they may not have reviews on the websites. But you might be able to find reviews of them or reviews of the services (airbnb) on TripAdvisor.com. Do check there.

Good luck!

So luckily, somebody from tripadvisor actually said he knew roberto of the Venice apt, so makes me more comfortable booking with him.
The Florence apartment is in sant ambrogio. Liking everything I've read about the area so far, plus the owner says it is a 10 minute walk from the duomo. I assume thats a good enough location. I do have an option to stay close to ponte vecchio, but the current one in discussion looks just beautiful (really see all pictures!)

Actually, the one in Florence is due east of the stazzione and centro area. A few blocks farther out than I would prefer, but certainly walkable. And it does look like a nice unit. Have a great trip!

@Holly- sorry I missed you! I will be in Venice May 15-19th. I hope you had a great stay!

Sarge: put it on your calendar for next March (and hope the weather's better than it was this year).

We rented a terrific apartment last year in Venice through Home Away. It was better than the pictures, and everything was as promised. We also used Home Away for a cottage in Laguna Beach this past winter. Again. No problems, and the owners also had it listed on VRBO. But as one responder said, I'd also be leery of ones that didn't have at least a few reviews.

Mappy.com says it's a 21 minute walk from that street to the Duomo. I can tell you from the map location it's a further walk than that and would add at least 5 more minutes as I think Mappy underestimates (Google underestimates more than Mappy).

Tedgale and I have both stayed at the same apartment in the Oltarno which if you look at a map, it is closer to the center than the one you are looking at and it was a good 15 minute walk to either the train station or the center. It's cheaper too. It's further than many people want to be, but closer than what you are looking at and in better proximity to the train and bus stations for day trips.

http://www.residenzailcarmine.com/

http://www.residenzailcarmine.com/

Not to kick a dead horse here, but I recently walked from the duomo to Borgo Pinti, and it was about 5-6 minutes. This apartment is about 2 1/2 times that distance, according to the map, so I would put it at less than 15 minutes to the duomo. Regardless of what Mappy says.

what if you walk with a limp and it's raining? ;)

It was raining! No limp, though.

Holly: you are correct - I was looking on at a closeup map on google maps and thought Firenze Campo M. station was actually Firenze S.ta Maria N.

If the OP's options are still open, I would echo kybourbon in recommending the Residenza Il Carmine. They are such nice people and the garden onto which most apt units face must be looking splendid by now....

The place in Venice is also a bit "out of the center" and you'll be walking a lot (nice walks, though) or taking the vaporetto a lot. Its a great neighborhood, but a little remote for a first trip to Venice. You'll definitely be in a locals neighborhood.

I love the Sant' Ambrogio neighborhood in Florence and have stayed there on a few occasions. Walking to the center from there is no biggie.

Thanks for all the input!
I did check out that option of residents il carmine and have sent an enquiry for that.
I am probably the worst decision maker when it comes to accommodation but unfortunately it falls upon me..
So I guess everyone agrees its a little far out and this would be a better option:
http://www.flipkey.com/florence-condo-rentals/p383121/
This one is available and better priced too.
What do you think?

>>>Not to kick a dead horse here, but I recently walked from the duomo to Borgo Pinti, and it was about 5-6 minutes.<<<

It's 1/2 mile from Borgo Pinti. It would take a very brisk walk to a jog to cover a 1/2 mile in 5 minutes. Most people walk a mile in 20 minutes. Via Alessandro Manzoni is closer to a mile.

walk slowly = 20-25 mins per mile
walk briskly = 17-20 mins per mile
walk fast = 13-17 mins per mile
jog = 9-13 mins per mile
run = 5-9 mins per mile

The flipkey location is much closer, but I would question them about AC. It's not listed under amenities, but there is some mention of extra charges. AC is a must in June. The description says quiet although that is a busy street. Perhaps it faces an interior courtyard.

One of the issues with any of these is you are traveling with 6 adults (couples?) yet they are only 2 bedroom. The flipkey apartment would require someone to sleep on a pull out sofa and someone on a single (if I read the description correctly). It is never pleasant to be the person on the sofa. They are usually not comfortable and are in the main room everyone else is using so that person has no privacy. There are always people up early or late that come through that area to the kitchen, bathroom, etc. so that person is continually disturbed. It makes for a very unpleasant trip if you aren't able to get enough rest.

<I am probably the worst decision maker when it comes to accommodation but unfortunately it falls upon me..>

No, no - crazyfamilyof4 is a clear winner in this competition - much better that you compete for a different title, since you have NO CHANCE with that one!

We booked an apartment in Rome last year through Rental in Rome. They were fantastic to deal with, and the apartment was great - the location made it even better than we were expecting!

They have apartments in Venice and Florence as well.

www.rentalinrome.com

This is where we stayed in Rome:

http://www.rentalinrome.com/campodef...ricalapartment

Excuse me - highjacking for just 1 query to bendigo:

Bendigo: I like Rental in Rome and that Rome apartment looks great. Did you find the "mezzanino" loft very low? How high was the ceiling? I am thinking of sending my 3 sisters to Rome as a 65th birthday present for the eldest. This could be a good option. I love via di Monserrato!

No we're actually 2 couples and 2 singles and are very used to less privacy (google joint families in India!) lol.
I did ask about ac, they said it was included in the amount she quoted me. Anything else I should be worried about? Noise shouldn't be much of a problem (again google Mumbai roads!)

I was discussing the possibility of renting an apt for a few days in both Paris and Italy. She commented that she had rented a condo in Key West Fl a few years ago. She said it was a last min rental and she found some apt thru VRBO, and emailed the owners and made them an offer of half the asking price. She received three emails back accepting the offer. Should I believe her? has anyone ever tried this with an apt in Europe, I would not want to embarris myself while a guest in a forign country but I am on a very tight budget,I would not want to insult anyone. thank you

Cash 01: Friends recently made an offer on an apartment that Rome Capital Apartments handles. I was surprised - I had never heard of negotiating with rental agencies.

Anyway, the agency conveyed the offer to the owner and it was accepted. I think the discount was about 15%.

This was off season. And the agency has sometimes advertised a last-minute discount on that very apartment.

Clearly, the owners are pragmatists. Some owners are, others are not.

If your offer is reasonable, there is no reason for the owner to be insulted.

Your chances are best when you are very close to your arrival date, obviously

Why not, it is solely the owner, not some agency. I wouldn't offer less unless you have a good reason that you can cite, not just to be cheap. For example off season, last minute or something. YOu had better be prepared to walk, also, as if they don't accept it they may mark you as a troublemaker or difficult, especially if there were no good reason to offer less (ie, peak season). Another good reason could be if there was some known major construction nearby or in the building (you'd have to know a city well to know that).

I would think half price would be pretty insulting, personally, I wouldn't try that without a good reason. ALso, one should be realistic as to whether it is priced very well for the market or not, or any wiggle room.

For example, I could see offering Roberto less money by saying that you notice he has no reviews and maybe it is a new listing, so while that makes you a little reticent, you would be willing to take it for (and then offer maybe 10-25 pct less). Something like that. However, I don't know rental rates in that area US $162 for a 3 BR apt in Venice seems like a very good rate to me already, I think that is very cheap. Really cheap, actually, although I don't know the going rates in Venice but I didn't think it was a cheap city. I know that is a low season rate but I still got only $183 for September.