CDNTraveler

Hi,
I'm new to this forum - have been reading a few posts - learned about Sleep in Italy through these posts. I'm considering booking an apartment near Termini - for six of us. I see that one couple will be sleeping on the pull-out. I'd appreciate any thoughts - am I out of my mind???? Too crowded???? At least there are two bathrooms. Also, it's on the fifth floor - how reliable are the elevators??? I got the sense that the elevators are very small - it would be many trips for six people with luggage. Don't mind walking the stairs without luggage though (gotta walk off all that gelato/wine/pasta, etc.)
So, any thoughts - you are such a helpful group - our trip is early May 2010.
Thanks

swisshiker

Hello CDNTraveler, and welcome to Fodor's! We're happy to have you on board.

Who makes the decision which "lucky" couple will sleep on the sofabed? Drawing straws, lower rent? Will they be the couple who stays out late, so coming back in the wee hours won't disrupt those already sleeping? But on the flip side, in the mornings, will the early risers need to tiptoe around so as to not wake the sleeping couple?

It's hard to know about the comfort of sofabeds. They can be lumpy, saggy, you can feel the support bar (ouch!). Or they can be top quality mattresses. Just like beds. Asking the agency for the bed's age might help. Are there any reviews available of the apartment, either here, tripadvisor, slowtrav, etc.?

Some days elevators work. Some days they don't. I don't know from which country you hail, but remember, in Italy the 5th floor is the 6th floor in U.S. That's a lot of stairs if the elevator isn't working.

Too crowded? How large is the apartment? Do you have a link you could post?

Happy travels!

kybourbon

You should look for three bedrooms with three bathrooms if possible. I would not want to be stuck on a sleeper sofa with no privacy (been there, done that, lack of sleep ruined my trip). I would also look for somewhere a little more central as parts of the area around Termini are not very nice.

What's your price range?

kybourbon

Also check reviews on slowtrav.com.

PeaceOut

Early May is a perfect time to visit Rome. Flowers will be blooming, and not as many tourists as later. Look at the Domus Julia for your accomodations. It is near the Spanish Steps, and we were very happy with it. You can reserve a variety of configurations, which can include a kitchen/dining room, but private baths in the bedrooms. It is the sister property to the next-door Hotel Julia, and you use their front desk and breakfast room. So you have the benefits of both an apartment and a hotel.

Kristina

I would never rent an apartment for 6 adults where one couple had to sleep on a pull out. It just doesn't seem "fair" to whoever gets that bed. Swisshiker brings up many good points to consider.

I rented a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom in Trastevere from Sleep in Italy at the beginning of October. It was lovely inside and very spacious. The only drawback is street noise for the two bedrooms in front. Great location though. It's called Vicolo del 5 Angel" on their site.

If you click on my name, you'll see my current trip report on Rome and I've written more about the apartment there.

CDNTraveler

Hi, Thanks for the great comments. Kristina, I checked into the Trastevere apartment and it is already unavailable for the time that we need it. Also, I agree that that area will be nicer, so I'll keep looking. I understand that there is a lot going on in Rome that weekend - so we need to make a decision. We do have a booking already - but in a hotel - Termini area - 180 Euro per night per couple - individual rooms. When I saw the postings about the apartment - I realized that we didn't need to be spending 540 Euro / night for the six of us. So, as for our budget - anything less than that is within our budget and would be a welcome bargain.
Thanks again. Keep the comments coming! We obviously need a lot of guidance.

Vttraveler

You might look at agencies that have different apartments in the same building so there could be one 2 BR and one studio apartment for the three couples

swisshiker

Although I have not stayed in the apartment I've linked below, it is one that is well witin your budget of 540E, has several bedrooms and a couple bathrooms, and is on the first floor. Right in the central historical district as well.

http://www.rentalinrome.com/sanpantaleo/sanpantaleo.htm

Zerlina

You could get two apartments for less than 540 Euro at Residenza Giubbonari (Google it). But be aware that some of the apartments have bedrooms facing the street, which is noisy, while the bedrooms in others face the back and are quiet.

Palazzo Olivia is a whole building full of apartments of various sizes.

Both are in the much more agreeable historic center.

Vttraveler

there are a few options of two apartments that might work for your group on the realrome.com web site. We had very good luck with this agency

CDNTraveler

Thanks again - great comments.
What is your opinion on location - near the Trevi Fountain or near the Colisseum? I've been checking two of the apartments on Sleep in Italy - three bedrooms, two or three bathrooms -the choice became much wider once I didn't limit myself to the Termini area. I thought that we needed to be near the train station - as a central location - easier with luggage, etc. Also, what about Apartment vs. Bed and Breakfast????
I've been checking out all of your recommendations - thanks.

CDNTraveler

Thanks everyone - we've made our choice! Very excited to be near the Trevi Fountain - in a three bedroom, three bathroom apartment. No pull-out couch, no sharing of bathrooms!