I have been looking at apt'.s in Rome for mid Sept.2011 and have narrowed my choice down to these two. We will be spending 5 nights in Rome at the beginning of an 18 day stay in Italy. ( Rome 5 nights, Ischia 4 nights,Florence 5 nights,Venice 3-then one last night in Rome before flying home to Canada). Any input / advice on either place would be most welcome. 1.- https://www.sleepinitaly.com/en/show...id_appartam=44
2.- https://www.sleepinitaly.com/en/show...id_appartam=53
Thanks!...Colleen

I may be showing my age, but one difference I notice: the bathroom for choice 2 is downstairs from the bedroom.

Choice 1 mentions a kitchenette but never shows it. If you don't plan to cook anything, this ay not be a problem.

I find choice 2's location described as "Pantheon-Navona" to be a bit of a stretch. According to the map, it is across the river, though not far.

Both look nice enough.

Hello colleen61

My DH and I stayed in the Rondanini apartment a few years ago. It is perfectly located for a visit to Rome, literally a minute or two walk to the Pantheon. It's on a very quiet little alleyway, and we were undisturbed at night by any sort of noise.

The bedroom has only one window, and it is a small one situated up high, so you can't look out onto anything. If I recall correctly, there was an air conditioner/heater in that room, though it was not needed when we visited.

The living room has two windows, again up high. I'm remembering a little step to stand on to see out the windows. There was a large couch and a dining table that had 6 or so chairs.

The kitchen is just along the back wall of the living/dining area, but it served us well. There are sliding doors, so the kitchen area can be shut off. I found the doors rather annoying, having to slide them back and forth to open the refrigerator, get to the stove, etc. But all in all, very functional. I remember the only coffee maker was one of those little ones that make only one cup that you brew on the stove. But that's the Italian way, so live like a local and enjoy!

The bathroom is HUGE for an apartment, or even for a house! Now mind you, it has been a couple years since I was there, but there was a faint smell of sewer coming from the shower drain (old pipes in these buildings). To remedy this little problem, my DH simply put a small plastic cup we had over the drain, and the smell went away. We took it off, of course, to shower, but then put it back on. That was the only negative.

We would definitely stay in this apartment again.

Happy travels!

Hi Colleen,
I also stayed in the Rondanini apt. a few years ago and didn't really love the apartment or the location. The apartment looks much nicer on the website. It's kind of dark and I also remember a sort of unpleasant musty smell.
I stayed in the Sant' Andrea apartment(Sleep in Italy) last summer and loved it so much that I booked it again for this years trip. For me the location is perfect because I love to walk and it is right in the middle of Pantheon, Navona and Campo di Fiori. I travelled alone last year, but there was plenty of room for 1-2 more people.
I like the look of #2 though.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful input all of you! Ellenem I had the same thoughts about area for #2-it doesn't look like Navona or Pantheon area to me. I got a street view from google and I'm not sure if this is the one for me but- it is my husband's first choice....oh decisions, decisions...

I also wanted to stay in the Pantheon area and looked at both of the apartments you mention (and hundreds more!). Ultimately I decided on the Minerva Apt thru Friendly Rentals. Their online booking system is excellent and Dana at their office was very helpful as well. Another great apartment thru SleepInItaly is also called the Minerva. Unfortunately it was sold out for my dates so I went with the one thru Friendly Rentals.

http://www.friendlyrentals.com/en/ap...t-2589-220.htm

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/en/show-...id_appartam=70

I stayed in the Rondanini apartment for five nights in October 2010 with two friends, a married couple. The apartment is in a cute, small piazza. There is a grocery store right around the corner, and it is a 2 minute walk to the Pantheon. The location couldn't be better. The apartment was not musty at all, and there was internet so that we could use my laptop to check emails, make reservations, etc. The kitchen had everything we needed for basic cooking. Yes, there was a small italian coffee pot that served just 2 cups of coffee, but we got hooked on italian coffee (2 euro's per lb at our local italian grocery around the corner)! There was a washer, but no dryer, which seems fairly typical for Italy. There was a rack to hang out clothes in the bathroom, which was large. The bedroom had a comfortable bed and was quiet. I slept in the living room on the couch, which converted to a comfortable single bed. There was some outside noise I could hear during the night in that room but it did not bother me. By the way, there is a fabulous restaurant right outside the door in the Piazza Rondonini called Restorante L'angoletto, where we enjoyed a lengthy meal at an outside table. Great gnocci, veal dishes, and desserts. It was recommended by our Italian tour guide, and was one of the best meals of our trip. There is also a coffee shop in the piazza which also serves prosecco in the afternoons. This was a nontouristy oasis after each day of touring. We stayed at much more expensive places in other parts of Italy on our wonderful trip, but I would definitely choose Rondanini again for visiting Rome. Please let me know if you have other questions as our trip was just 7 months ago.

Re the Rondanini: agree with italynovice about the Restorante L'angoletto. Also nearby is a decent-sized grocery store for all your supplies and of course gelato is around every corner

Collen, I know nothing about the actual apartments however I can commenton the locations. Been to Rome 3 times in past 5 years and walked everywhere so I know the streets especially in the historic central region. Based on the map location they show for the #2 property it is very near Castel Sant Angelo which is on the other side of the river from Piazza Navona and Pantheon not far from the Vatican. However it is only about a 15 minute walk to the Pantheon and less (maybe 10 mins) to Navona area. So it is truly close and the streets you would walk to get to these areas once you cross the bridge are very pleasant. However that said, the streets just around the Pantheon and Navona are so incredibly wonderful. If you think a 15 minute walk is going to stop you from wandering to these ares day or night, I would recommend #1 which is in an absolutely fantastic location. Hands down winner based on location. I cannot tell you much about the neighborhood of #2 as I am not sure there is anything there to cause one to wander there. Good Luck. Rome is amazing!

Ok, not that you asked for other suggestions, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention the apartment where we stayed when in Rome last. We loved it!

http://www.romecapitalapartments.com...gli/Miguel-157

It's very close to the other apartments you're looking at & is easy to get to Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, the Vatican. I can't recommend it enough. Let me know if you have any questions. I'd be happy to answer what I can.

Thanks again for all the input-fabulous response!
Bpesta that's a lovely apt. but luckily not available for our dates so I don't have one more choice to contend with!!
Swisshiker and Italynovice thanks for the input re Rondanini-it was a hard choice but elevator and bath tub won out over location so we are going with apt. #2. I found lots of positive reviews on TA so I think it will be o.k.
Thank you Paulo59 for the neighborhood advice...a 15 minute walk is just enough exercise to justify a little gelato!!(I have a feeling this won't be our only trip to Italy so we'll have an opportunity to experience several different neighborhoods with any luck...gonna toss several coins in the fountain-tee hee!)

There is an elevator at Rondanini, but no bathtub. I know what you mean, I seriously debated apartments due to lack of tub! Have fun!