Rome Sweet Home Ortygia Apartment Rental
Nov 10th, 2005 | 08:46 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,005
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Rome Sweet Home Ortygia Apartment Rental
Just a warning to anyone who is going to use "Rome Sweet Home" agency to rent and apartment in Ortygia. I am here in Ortygia right now, in my supposed "lovely flat with seaside view". We were scammed. I have stayed in over 20 apartments all across italy, this is the worst I've ever seen. It was no more than dorm room, a filthy one at that. There are stains on the walls, pubic hair on the bathroom floor, and the sheets smell so bad we couldn't bare to sleep in them. It's an utter disaster and I'll post more when we get back next week. Meanwhile, stay away from this agency, they are liars and theives.
Nov 10th, 2005 | 08:54 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,130
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Being that I'm currenlty looking at apartments in Italy, thanks for the heads up. What a bummer for you.
Have you ever dealt with Rental in Rome? I usually rent apartments, too, but this is a new agency for me to deal with. So far, so good, but I hope it continues.
Have you ever dealt with Rental in Rome? I usually rent apartments, too, but this is a new agency for me to deal with. So far, so good, but I hope it continues.
Nov 21st, 2005 | 06:22 AM
#4
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,005
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Hi! Sorry it took me so long to post, jet lag is a drag. I have never dealt with Rental in Rome, however, during this trip I rented 5 apartments, Paris, Verona, Lucca, Cefalu', and Ortygia. I rented some from agencies and some from private parties.
FRANCE:
The Paris apartment was FANTASTIC! It was wonderfully furnished, clean, comfortable and the location was superb, in the Marais, very close to the sully Morland and St. Paul metro, walking distance to everything and the neighborhood was classy and safe with great restaurants and grocery stores nearby. The owner, Oliver speaks excellent English, it was a flawless transaction in every way.
Olivier Brouillet de Gallois [email protected]
ITALY / VENETO:
The Verona apartment was also well furnished, modern and hospital clean. It was right outside the historic center, close enough to walk to the where the action is in just a couple of minutes and outside of it enough to have really authentic, inexpensive restaurants.
Laura or Giorgio [email protected] , www.cassaffita.it
ITALY / TUSCANY:
DO NOT RENT THIS PLACE. The Lucca apartment was a dud. It was well located, right on via fillungo the main passeggiata, but the ceilings were so low that my husband and I kept banging our heads. It SEEMS amazingly rustic and quaint from the photos, but don't be fooled. Also, it was dark and damp feeling and the kitchen sink was perpetually clogged. Also, it's right above a bar, so the noise starts early, about 6am and goes late, about 11pm. Overall, the place had a feeling of dirtiness and I would say watch out for this one. It looks quaint in the photos, but the reality is that it's not a good choice. http://www.knowital.com/tuscany/lucc...partment1.html
SICILY:
The Cefalu apartment was SPECTACULAR! This place was gorgeous and affordable. It was on the fourth floor, with a wrap around terrace over looking the sea, the mountain crag, and the town cathedral. It was perfectly furnished, very clean and it had a washing machine, a real bonus. Massimo, who heads the agency speaks excellent English and it was also a perfect transaction. The have dozens of apartments for every taste and the agency seemed really together. We had a wonderful time and highly recommend this place. www.sicilianbreak.it Massimo Provenza [email protected]
SICILY : ROME SWEET HOME - BAD BAD BAD DO NOT RENT FROM THESE PEOPLE. They sent us to the apartment, unaccompanied, in the middle of the night, without the right keys for starters. Once we got to the check in, it was basically understood that we were on our own, we were handed a set of keys, an inaccurate map, and sent on our way. When we got to the place, of course the keys to the main door did not work. A neighbor was nice enough to lend us a spare set she had to the main door of the building so we didn't have to make the hike all the way back to the mainland of Siracusa. The Ortygia apartment, as I said in my original post, was a totally dump. It was basically a dorm room with an old dirty kitchenette. This place was filthy and disgusting. The comforter smelled and was covered in dingle berries due to it's age. The spare comforter in the closet also smelled badly and had, I gasp to even repeat it, menstrual stains on it. We are not squeamish people, we've traveled extensively and we don't go four star if you get my drift, but that was an abomination. Old and run down I can handle, it can even be charming, downright dirty is another story. Additionally, it was located directly over a restaurant/nightclub that played horrifically loud music until 2am, then dragged in all of the tables and chairs for another hour until 3am, every single night, we were so exhausted when we left there. This particular side of the island (lungomare alfeo) seems to be the most neglected. There is literally dog poop everywhere you step, it seems no one picks it up on this side. On the other side of the island where the hotel Gutkowski is, we actually saw city workers cleaning the dog poop and hosing down the sidewalks, but on this side it stayed there for the entire week. There was even dog poop right on our stoop. Overall, I think Ortygia would be a nice place to visit if you stay either near the duomo in the center of town or near all the b and b's. Also, if you don't plan to do day trips from there, I would say only stay a couple of days at most. A week was way too long, but we did have some wonderful day trips to Ragusa and Noto, both winners, charming towns with great atmosphere.
So that's my story. I've got lots of nice recommendations for restuarants and things to do in the above mentioned places. If you like to travel off the beaten path, I'll share some stories and ideas with you. [email protected]
Good luck.
The Paris apartment was FANTASTIC! It was wonderfully furnished, clean, comfortable and the location was superb, in the Marais, very close to the sully morland and st paul metro, walking distance to everythign and the neighborhood was classy and safe with great restaurants and grocery stores nearby. The owner, Oliver speaks excellent english, it was a flawless transaction in every way.
The Verona apartment was also well furnished, modern and hospital clean. It was right outside the historic center, close enough to walk to the where the action is in just a couple of minutes and outside of it enough to have really authentic, inexpensive restuarants. The Lucca apartment was a dud. It was well located, right on via fillungo the main passeggiata, but the ceilings were so low that my husband and I kept banging our heads.
FRANCE:
The Paris apartment was FANTASTIC! It was wonderfully furnished, clean, comfortable and the location was superb, in the Marais, very close to the sully Morland and St. Paul metro, walking distance to everything and the neighborhood was classy and safe with great restaurants and grocery stores nearby. The owner, Oliver speaks excellent English, it was a flawless transaction in every way.
Olivier Brouillet de Gallois [email protected]
ITALY / VENETO:
The Verona apartment was also well furnished, modern and hospital clean. It was right outside the historic center, close enough to walk to the where the action is in just a couple of minutes and outside of it enough to have really authentic, inexpensive restaurants.
Laura or Giorgio [email protected] , www.cassaffita.it
ITALY / TUSCANY:
DO NOT RENT THIS PLACE. The Lucca apartment was a dud. It was well located, right on via fillungo the main passeggiata, but the ceilings were so low that my husband and I kept banging our heads. It SEEMS amazingly rustic and quaint from the photos, but don't be fooled. Also, it was dark and damp feeling and the kitchen sink was perpetually clogged. Also, it's right above a bar, so the noise starts early, about 6am and goes late, about 11pm. Overall, the place had a feeling of dirtiness and I would say watch out for this one. It looks quaint in the photos, but the reality is that it's not a good choice. http://www.knowital.com/tuscany/lucc...partment1.html
SICILY:
The Cefalu apartment was SPECTACULAR! This place was gorgeous and affordable. It was on the fourth floor, with a wrap around terrace over looking the sea, the mountain crag, and the town cathedral. It was perfectly furnished, very clean and it had a washing machine, a real bonus. Massimo, who heads the agency speaks excellent English and it was also a perfect transaction. The have dozens of apartments for every taste and the agency seemed really together. We had a wonderful time and highly recommend this place. www.sicilianbreak.it Massimo Provenza [email protected]
SICILY : ROME SWEET HOME - BAD BAD BAD DO NOT RENT FROM THESE PEOPLE. They sent us to the apartment, unaccompanied, in the middle of the night, without the right keys for starters. Once we got to the check in, it was basically understood that we were on our own, we were handed a set of keys, an inaccurate map, and sent on our way. When we got to the place, of course the keys to the main door did not work. A neighbor was nice enough to lend us a spare set she had to the main door of the building so we didn't have to make the hike all the way back to the mainland of Siracusa. The Ortygia apartment, as I said in my original post, was a totally dump. It was basically a dorm room with an old dirty kitchenette. This place was filthy and disgusting. The comforter smelled and was covered in dingle berries due to it's age. The spare comforter in the closet also smelled badly and had, I gasp to even repeat it, menstrual stains on it. We are not squeamish people, we've traveled extensively and we don't go four star if you get my drift, but that was an abomination. Old and run down I can handle, it can even be charming, downright dirty is another story. Additionally, it was located directly over a restaurant/nightclub that played horrifically loud music until 2am, then dragged in all of the tables and chairs for another hour until 3am, every single night, we were so exhausted when we left there. This particular side of the island (lungomare alfeo) seems to be the most neglected. There is literally dog poop everywhere you step, it seems no one picks it up on this side. On the other side of the island where the hotel Gutkowski is, we actually saw city workers cleaning the dog poop and hosing down the sidewalks, but on this side it stayed there for the entire week. There was even dog poop right on our stoop. Overall, I think Ortygia would be a nice place to visit if you stay either near the duomo in the center of town or near all the b and b's. Also, if you don't plan to do day trips from there, I would say only stay a couple of days at most. A week was way too long, but we did have some wonderful day trips to Ragusa and Noto, both winners, charming towns with great atmosphere.
So that's my story. I've got lots of nice recommendations for restuarants and things to do in the above mentioned places. If you like to travel off the beaten path, I'll share some stories and ideas with you. [email protected]
Good luck.
The Paris apartment was FANTASTIC! It was wonderfully furnished, clean, comfortable and the location was superb, in the Marais, very close to the sully morland and st paul metro, walking distance to everythign and the neighborhood was classy and safe with great restaurants and grocery stores nearby. The owner, Oliver speaks excellent english, it was a flawless transaction in every way.
The Verona apartment was also well furnished, modern and hospital clean. It was right outside the historic center, close enough to walk to the where the action is in just a couple of minutes and outside of it enough to have really authentic, inexpensive restuarants. The Lucca apartment was a dud. It was well located, right on via fillungo the main passeggiata, but the ceilings were so low that my husband and I kept banging our heads.
Nov 22nd, 2005 | 01:38 AM
#6
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Sorry to hear of your bad experience. Never know what things are really like until you get there. Re: Statia's comment about Rental In Rome. We just booked 3 apartments with them...Rome, Florence, Venice. We're going in April. Hope we all have good luck with them.
Nov 30th, 2005 | 01:20 PM
#7
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 0
The apartment was called Aretusa, there were two, Aretusa and Alfeo, here is the link to the b@st@rd's website.... http://www.romesweethome.it/full_info.asp?ID_IM=2013
What they don't show you in this photo is that this sidewalk is always, and literally COVERED in dog poop, it was disgusting. STAY NEAR THE DUOMO, you can't go wrong!
What they don't show you in this photo is that this sidewalk is always, and literally COVERED in dog poop, it was disgusting. STAY NEAR THE DUOMO, you can't go wrong!
