Leely

I've rented in Rome a number of times. Very generally, I think the hotels in Rome tend to be pricier than those in Paris, so an apartment in a central location is a relative value, even if it's expensive (just take a look at what the hotels are asking for!).

I like: more space, a kitchen for snacks and coffee in my pajamas, space to get away from other people if need be.

I just like apartments better. In fact, I'm beginning to pre-plan a holiday with my siter and brother-in-law and niece and maybe my mom. I'm thinking apartment in Rome and house in Umbria. Never rented a whole house before. Won't that be something.

plafield

Msm4: I stayed at Residence Henry IV in Paris with my 2 adult daughters a couple of years ago and we loved it! It's the perfect combination of the space and feel of an apartment and the services of a hotel an very reasonably priced for 3 people.

Marigoss: If it's the first time you've been somewhere, I think it's really nice to have people to help you with reservations, directions, etc. For DH and my trip to Italy this year (our first time), we decided to do a B&B in Rome and Florence and we splurged on a hotel in Venice.

We looked at renting an apartment in Rome, where we spent 6 nights, but in the end decided we wanted to have someone to help us with the day to day details of being in a foriegn place where we don't speak the language. It was a great decision. Since there were only the 2 of us, we were able to find a fantasic B&B that was less expensive than an apartment would be with the most fabulous person running it who was incredibly helpful and friendly (Arco del Lauro in Trastevere.)

Have a wonderful time and be sure to write a report when you return!

Carrybean

I much prefer an apartment. Much more comfortable, private & it's nice to have a kitchen even if it's only for tea/coffee/snacks, etc.

enzian

We too have a strong preference for apartments when we are 3 or more people, staying in the same place for 3 nights or more. This preference is based on both price and space considerations. We also like to cook our own dinner occasionally; we enjoy the experience of shopping in local markets and trying the local specialties.

Your main concern seems to be with payment, security deposits, and meeting the owners at the right time. I don't know about Italy, but we have actually not had any of these concerns in the apartments we have rented in Paris and in Switzerland. Renting through hotels or management agencies, we have found apartments with no security deposit and payment by credit card possible (instead of wire transfer into the owner's bank account). As for meeting the owners, that hasn't been necessary. For our Zermatt apartment, for example, we were told to just go directly there; the door would be open and the keys inside in the kitchen. Everything was in order and there was nothing we needed to do other than just show up.

Maybe you could look for this type of arrangment in Italy too?

Barkinpark

My 2 cents:

I like renting apartments. However, there are restrictions that you have to be comfortable with. For example, your check-in and check-out time/day may be limited. Some agents do not allow checking-out/in before and after a certain time. There may be surcharges for non-biz hours check-in/out. Some only are willing to rent for a minimum number of days. Also, unlike a hotel, there is absolutely no full refund in case of cancellations.

Furthermore, just like there are good and bad hotels, there are also good and bad apartments. Thus, be sure to read reviews. At an apartment in France that I rented a few years ago, the internet connection was broken and we had to wait for the owner to return on the next day to fix it. He took half a day to fix it and this also meant that half of our precious day was wasted.

The photos in rental agency websites may be deceiving. Also, check the locations carefully.

tuscanlifeedit

I would choose a hotel if it was my first time in a place, especially if the language or other factors might confuse me.

But for longer stays of 4 days or more, I do like an apartment, especially in an area that I'm at least a little familiar with.

What I love is having as much coffee in my pajamas as I want. I hate getting dressed to go get coffee. In fact, I can barely get dressed without coffee. And I hate just getting one cup of coffee. I like lots of hot coffee and I love to have it while I bathe, dress, and get ready for the day.

I would especially consider an apartment for more than two people. The hotel we had in Paris for three could not compare to the apartment we rented. And checking that hotel, where we had a triple, the price is now about the same as the apartment.

We are renting in Venice in October, and staying for a week. I'll let you know about it, but it is a studio, if a large one. There is a washing machine.

I have also found that Italian washing machines aren't too my liking, but I will be glad to have one, anyway.

marigross

A million thanks for all the replies! I guess its funny the way one gets nervous about doing something for the first time... like a newbie being nervous about the first trip to Europe.

We are quite flexible travelers. DH can get by with Italian and Spanish (my first language) is close enough so I am not worried about communication.

The only thing that reallllyyyy bothers me is the wire-transfer of deposit and the cash payments.

Now, what I'm getting from most of the replies is that people wish to have leisurely mornings. The thing for is that we do not drink coffee in our pajamas. Even at home we are fully dressed and ready before we sit down for breakfast.

DH and I have very similar routines and sleeping habits so it would be very unusual that one of us would want to stay up watching TV. OTOH, DD would -which would cause a problem with getting up in the morning.

Those two things considered, do you think its still worth the hassle?

I'm pretty sure we are going to alternate hotels and apartments so that we can give it a try.

enzian, LOL! But you know how Swiss the Swiss are! I would not hesitate to rent in CH. But the Italians are a bit more -hum- casual about arrangements...

travel_buzzing

I'm going to stay in this great looking apartment in Rome in October: http://www.arcosbedandbreakfast.it/bedandbreakfast.htm
150 a night although this might vary season-to-season
Sounds pretty central, trip report will follow (althought the emphasis is on finding shoe bargains)

tcreath

marigross, we don't really rent apartments for leisurely mornings. We aren't huge coffee drinkers, although I do like a cappuccino or latte in Italy because they are so good. We are also not really into leisurely mornings, as we are the type that gets up and goes, ready to start our day. For us the appeal of the apartment is mostly the added space and comfort, the location, and the added benefit of being in a neighborhood so it feels a little like home.

Tracy

Jed

We 2 couples had a 2BR, 2BA apt in Florence last year. We felt that it was a much more pleasant experience than if we had 2 hotel rooms. It was like our home. We also had great experiences with apts in New Zealand and a villa in St. Bart.

It was more work finding the best apt, but the paperwork, etc was minimal. We would do it again in the right circumstances.

LAwoman

The main reason we book apartments is you typically get much bigger bang for your buck - a lot more room, nicer quarters - for significantly less $$. Particularly in Rome, you can get a very attractive 1 or 2 BR apt in the historic center for under 150 euro - or, a very basic hotel room. If you have more than 2 people, the difference is even more significant.

We used apartments for our first times in both Rome and Paris and it worked out great. It's true that you have to be a teeny bit adventurous; we just happen to like that aspect of it too.

tomassocroccante

I'm planning on an apartment for a Rome trip with my sister. We COULD share a hotel room, but we'll have a good deal more privacy in an apartment, where we'll have the space of two hotel rooms for the price of one (or less).

Since I live in NYC in a very convenient Manhattan location, I'm considering a swap for that trip and will be researching the possibility.

I'd probably be less interested in the apartment option on a first trip, but this will be my 3rd time in Rome, so I have some clear ideas about where I'd like to be and what I'll need in the way of amenities. Also, I have a few friends there now, in case of emergency!

Great thing is, between Fodors and other 'feedback' sites, you can get very specific reviews on many apartments.

SuzieCII

I'm bubbling over! Just got confirmed that our choice for the apartment in Rome is Done! Yaaay...