Vttraveler

We had very good luck with a rental through realrome.com. Their rates are very reasonable and the owner is pleasant and helpful.

annhig

Ronda - how long are you staying in Rome?

for stays of less than 4 nights it's a close-run thing between a hotel and an apartment IMHO, especially for a first stay, but once you're there, you probably won't care as Rome is so great.

somewhere central and quiet is what you want. after that, a terrace, nice restaurants, bars nearby...and price of course.

Ronda

Thanks for the good advice, Ann. I have booked a hotel for 6 nights at 160 euros per night so that we have something - Maison Trevia. Still going to look around. We have really enjoyed staying at B&B's or small hotels in the past - US, Provence, Lake Como - because we like to meet people. We found when we rented an apartment in Paris that meeting people was one aspect we missed. Checked into one hotel - Lancelet or Lancelot that looked very interesting with 1/2 pension but only available for 3 days. There is so much good info in this thread that I need to really go back over and study it tomorrow.

Just back from Colorado and I am totally wiped out. Thanks all for your help.

Ronda

Actually 7 nights not 6.

annhig

Ronda - that looks like a pretty good deal. for a first stay in Rome for a couple a hotel is not a bad option, if you find the right one. we have only stayed in apartments because we have only been to Rome with our kids and believe me, we needed the space that only an apartment can give you. [i suppose we could have stayed in different hotels!]

do you want to post the link for your hotel so that we can all either congratulate you on your choice /tell you why you don't want to stay there!

qwovadis

www.hotwire.com Stayed in the Sheraton Roma $69/nt

it is the hotel in South Rome that is their 4 star in May.

As an spg.com member got club floor upgrades an older

hotel John an Yoko had their honeymoon there but best

4 star value in Rome with airport and city center shuttles

if needed in the best residential area in south Rome

on the rim road to FCO.

Might have a look at that but do not order the hamburger

or the chef's sald most expensive and horrible I have had

in the world.... Stay was worth it for me for the price.

Just do not eat the food unless it is free.

qwovadis

betterbidding.com Intercontinental Spanish Steps

in city centre from $180/nt bidding priceline.com

for me in the past upgrades for preferred guests

so join up... best central deal for me if u want

to spend 3X more to be right on top of the spanish

steps... Happy Hunting

Ronda

I have rented an apartment and will give you the details later. The owner has many excellent reviews and thus far has been very helpful. Found it on VRBO. I felt so overwhelmed. Many of the recommended hotels (here and RS) were already booked, and the apartments recommended were already booked. I researched the areas in Rome here that everyone recommends, went to VRBO, and just started emailing apartments that were available and that were in the right price range. The apartment I am renting is near Campo De Fiori.

THANK YOU ALL!

annhig

ronda - that's a great area to be in - right in the centre of everything.

do you want to post a link?

Ronda

Hi Ann! Just paid the deposit so will post the VRBO number. The apartment has just been remodeled and put up for rent so it has no reviews. However, the owner's other apartment has many great reviews and he seems exceptional.

Link to apartment that was not available with excellent reviews about the owner (and apartment):

http://www.vrbo.com/149837

Link to the apartment we rented:

http://www.vrbo.com/372507

There are a few mistakes on the description which he is in the process of fixing - there are not two bedrooms or two beds but one bedroom with a sleeper sofa in the living room.

He would like to be paid in cash when arrive and I am wondering how others have handled this. He has also said that we can do a wire transfer.

annhig

how much is it, Ronda?

when we have had to stump up several hundred euros, we just carried them with us in money belts - 1/2 each. if you are not comfortable with doing that, renters will often accept 1/2 one day and 1/2 the next so that you can maximise the amount you can get out of an ATM - depends what the limit on your ATM card it. in the UK a wire transfer will cost you about £15 in bank charges, so that would be my least favourite option.

The apartment looks fine, but I do wonder why there are no reviews! are you going to be the first customers?

Ronda

Maybe we will be the first! The furniture looks brand new. I did like the owner's reviews for the other apartment and so far has been great. My first choice apartment near the Spanish Steps finally responded (too late). It looks wonderful and was less money:

http://www.vrbo.com/285875

annhig

well, yours looks good too. and in a very good position.

in the end you just have to make a choice - it's like computers, you just know that the day after you order yours, you'll find something better and cheaper!

Floridacouple

We stayed in a VRBO apartment last year in the Trastevere section and staying in another this year in Siena. It is not unusual to pay a deposit upfront and the balance in cash upon arrival.

We bought Euros before we left to cover our first day's expenses and kept them in a silk money pouch that strapped around the waist. You could not detect it underneath. The rest of our stay we used ATMs. Plenty of them around the city, but make sure the ones you used are part of your network to avoide additional fees.

We also took out a Capital One credit card as they do not charge a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases outside the US. Many other credit card companies do. Just make sure you let your card company know when you'll be traveling outside the US, so they don't think it's fraud.

Ronda

You are so right Ann!

FLcouple, did you have to take the money pouch off before going through security at the airport? We are going to Paris first and taking an Easyjet flight to Rome. I am thinking we will just get as much cash per day as allowed at ATMs in Paris (or until we have enough for the rent) so we have it when we arrive in Rome. I just have to research what that amount allowable per day is.

Floridacouple

The pouch is very light, slim and has no metal, so going through the security scan was not an issue. Other than our original concern over carrying so many Euros, we didn't use it during the rest of our trip. My husband kept his wallet in his front pocket with his hand over it whenever we were in a crowd. I carried a leather bag with a cross body strap, zipped up and the flap turned into my body. Actually we do this anywhere in the world.

We never had any encounters with pickpockets or any concerns with our security. We used the bus, metro and train systems extensively last year and they were often very crowded. We are always careful to stay aware of our surroundings and don't flash around cash or jewelery.

My only scary experience in Europe was at the airport in Paris many years ago. I was going to the ladies room which was down a stairwell. There was a "family" of six outside the entrance to the stairwell. As I approached, 3 of them started in ahead of me and 3 followed behind. This freaked me out a bit and before going down the stairs, I spun around and pushed through them and back out the door. It could of been coincidence and they thought I was an incredibly rude American, but no sense putting yourself in a bad situation.

bardo1

372507 looks like a wonderful apt. and the location could not be better. You're going to love being in that neighborhood. Please report back.

BTW, Regarding payment: those terms are pretty much standard. My wife and I each withdrew E500 from out with our respective ATM cards (from the same account). Failing that, I'm sure the owner will allow you to pay the remainder on your second day there.

As mentioned, the wire option costs money. If your landlord won't accept a "two day payment" (ask now) , then wiring is a good fallback.

Ronda

Thanks for the encouragement bardo. I woke up in the night thinking "what have I done"? Yes, I think getting money from the ATM in Rome once we have arrived might be the easiest thing.

Mimar

And getting the money from an ATM should be the cheapest way. Plus it's safer than carrying all that cash during your stop in Paris.