Hi, I hope KWREN sees this...
You recommended an apartment in Rome for our family as you had booked it but not yet stayed there. It was Governo Vecchio?.. Just wondering if you were happy with it?

Hi kcnewby! So sorry for the delay - I just saw this post today and I hope I'm not too late for you! Yes, we were very happy with this apartment. We had enough room and it was in a great location, on a (mostly) pedestrian street near the Piazza Navona, the cat sanctuary, Piazza Campo di Fiori and the market, lots of busses a very short walk away and a maze of tiney streets. Lots of gelato in the area too. If you'd like to see pictures I could email them to you - just let me know. When are you going?

The beds were comfortable, the refrigerator very tiny, the kitchen well-equipped, the living room spacious with a few mostly used up bottles of alcohol (which we felt uneasy drinking so they might still be there) and there was plenty of hot water although if I remember correctly, there may have been some bursts of cold water. The laundry room "dryer" was a drying rack, but the tiny washer worked great and there was even laundry detergent when we were there. (That's not a guarantee I think) Paper towels were provided, but no toilet paper except a tiny bit so be prepared! I think it depends on what the previous people leave behind. The elevator worked fine, and was cute and tiny as many older European elevators are. There is a food store on the same street, a cafe just across the street, and plenty of restaurants everywhere surrounding the apt. I can't recommend the area more highly. We've rented other places before and the owners left us wine or flowers and a welcome note, but don't expect anything like that here. No problem, but it's funny what you take for granted!

There was one downside (well 2 actually) and that was that the guy meeting us to let us in was very late so be sure you take ALL the phone numbers you are given just in case you need to call as we did. It wasn't all bad - we waited and ate at that cafe across the street, surrounded by our suitcases. We just kept ordering more and more - the waiters were becoming very entertained by us! The second downside was checkout - that same guy from Sleep in Italy never showed up AT ALL to get the keys and give us our deposit check back which was very nerve racking. He and Sleep in Italy had lots of excuses for both times - claimed miscommunication, but I went back and checked on all our emails and saw how clearly I had worded everything, and the responses back from Sleep in Italy confirming all meeting times and places. There was no mistake or miscommunication and I confirm and confirm and confirm on something like this so we had multiple emails each way! There was no miscommunication either arrival or departure. Upon our arrival, I ended up contacting the apartment owners to find him for us and they were as nice as could be. Sleep in Italy wasn't very apologetic at all about the whole thing in the end, and claimed that they ripped up our check, but I put a stop on it just in case. On a positive note, the check was never cashed and there was no additional problem. I would recommend setting up the check out the night before departure, maybe when you are packing, so you aren't delayed the day you leave. When we left, we just left the keys on the table and that was not a problem for Sleep in Italy.

Would I stay there again? Yes! - the apartment had everything we wanted and it all worked well. The AC was great, although if you had all the units on at once, the circuit breaker would blow so we came up with a rotation to keep it all cool. That wasn't a major problem for us. Be prepared to wait at the cafe just in case and don't make plans for just after your arrival. Take all the phone numbers and if someone doesn't arrive close to the arranged time, make the call sooner rather than later if you don't want a long wait. Don't give him an hour like we did to call because it then took him more than another hour to show up! Then have some vino at the cafe - you're in Rome after all and the guy will eventually show up!!! He didn't ruin our time there and it's just another story we can tell. All's well that ends well!

Thanks so much for responding!
I have seen great feedback for this apartment. I have put a deposit on it.
I am concerned with the time we may have to wait for access to the apartment as it will be after a very long flight from Australia.
I may have to settle all the checkout on the night before we leave as we will be on a 10am flight to Catania so don't need the stress.....
Would love the photos - [email protected] and in answer to your question going in September.
Thanks again, much appreciated

Congrats on booking the apartment! You'll lobe it, and even more so the area. We wished we had known where to buy a few supplies as soon as we arrived, so to get to the food store, turn left out of the apartment and walk a few blocks. It is on the left. It looks really small, but stretches way back in.

I can't imagine that Sleep in Italy could remain in business by being late on a regular basis. We must have just been incredibly unlucky! It will probably be fine for you. However, if I were concerned about the timing, I might call before leaving the airport 'just to confirm'. And the food directly across the street was very good if you do have to wait a bit. We got there an hour ahead of the meeting time so had time for dinner...and dessert...and wine...and more wine! We were there almost 2 1/2 hours Including being early that first hour, but made the most of it.

I'll be happy to email you pictures! This might even inspire me to finally write my trip report and finish putting the rest of my pictures on Facebook! I already posted Switzerland, Lucca/Pisa and Tuscany, but haven't tackled Rome or Pompeii! Let me know if you have other questions too. I'll try to email the pix later today. Bye!

Wow, thanks for the photos! I have seen on other posts that the 'wait' is a part of the experience.... Mom not sure, after a 25 hr flight I think we will need some of that wine!
Can't wait to see the trip report if you end up posting it, I will have a look at your Tuscany one as we are going there aswell. Thankyou so much, I really appreciate your feedback and sharing of information...

KC

We also stayed at the Governo Vecchio apartment. I was waiting for kwren's trip report too . . .

Some details and photos from my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...log-photos.cfm

FYI, we had no issues with the timing of the keys on arrival or departure (younger guy with motorcycle helmet). Our issue was arriving on a crowded Saturday night and my wife had her foot (fortunatley mainly her shoe) run over! A few quirks but a great location. Convenient grocery (and gelato) just up the street.

The pressure! OK I promise to do a trip report and post the rest of my pictures soon! It was fun reliving the trip through my pictures so getting into the details should be fun too!

kcnewby - you're welcome! where will you be going in Tuscany? We stayed at an agriturismo outside of Pienza and lover it.

indy - I'm glad you had no problems getting in. I figured we were just unlucky, but it's good to hear that things went smoothly for you.

Hey fellow aussie!

Your apartment is in a fantastic location. If you would like to do a lot of self catering, here is a detailed list of supermarkets/grocery stores in your area, you can also find laundry services if you need them. Don't worry, this is a non commercial space dedicated to helping visitors find what they need closest to their location.
Have a great trip.

http://excusemewhereis.blogspot.com....za-navona.html

http://excusemewhereis.blogspot.com....o-defiori.html

KWREN the pressure is on for,you to start writing
In Tuscany we are staying in Greve at an lld pasta making factory. (http://www.ownerdirect.com/vacation-...-pasta-factory), we will have a car and driving from there after 5 nights to the Cinque Terre.
INDY - will be arriving at 1.30 pm ( I planned it that way) so we can afford to sit around, I figure if I expect the worst, anything better than that will be a lovely surprise. Glad to hear your wife's foot was ok?? Thanks for the trip report link- loved it! Have noted some very good info.
What I liked about yours and KWREN 's trips was that you had the teens. We have our 19 & 17 yr old children with us, so the info is great.
FRANCOISEBELLE- thanks for that, I will do some (quite possibly very little ) self catering. I always have good intentions but the restaurants win out every time! Do enough of it at home...

kcnewby...totally agree with you about the restaurants. We barely used the kitchen while there which is probably why I didn't think to comment on how many dishes there were or if they were nice! I really didn't know...or care!

We drove through Greve but didn't have time to stop. It's a beautiful area!