Has anyone used vrbo in Rome? I am going through the site and have found several that look nice, but I would love to book something that someone on Fodor's has actually had experience with! We would love 2 bedrooms, but at least a place to sleep 3 people comfortably for 5 nights. We (me, DH, and sweet mother) are looking at other sites such as Sleep in Italy and many of the great hotels and b&b's that have been recommended here. I would love for us to have the extra room an apt provides and am not too concerned about the kitchen other than snacks and breakfast.
When we go to Venice and Lake Como we will definitely do the hotel/b&b route.
Any help would be appreciated.

I used Sleep in Italy, a darling apartment near Campo di Fiori. Cant rememebr what it was called but there is a red bathroom chandelier in the fotos!However, the stairs were daunting. If your mom has mobility issues do careful research.

Thanks Vivi! I will look up your rental. I am looking at Italy Perfect right now and I am seeing some nice places there as well.

We rented through VRBO in June . The rental was vrbo.com/194513. (vrbo#194513). It was a two bedroom on Governo dei Vecchio. The apartment is exactly as pictured on the vrbo listing. The location was great and it does have a small elevator. Fiora is the owner and her assistant, Nur is prompt and very professional . You can click on my name to read my trip report. I did research the apt. extensively before sending a down payment. I looked here, on flip key, and slow travel for reviews. Really glad we had an apartment in Rome. Good luck!

Thanks Laura! That looks great!

Laura, what a great trip report. Just read it.....how did I miss that!

Jane, we've used VRBO a few times in Rome (as elsewhere) and have good experiences. In fact maybe the same apt that Laura mentioned. I suggest you go to slowtrav.com and get on the Italian forum and check the rental reviews for Rome. I've found the reviews in that website to be very accurate and worthwhile. As I recall I may have some reviews there in Rome for VRBO.

We stayed at www.residenzagiubbonari.com. Nice apartment and a nice location near Campo Fiori. That was three years ago. We had four people so the two bathrooms came in handy. There is an elevator.

Tripadvisor also has reviews of apartments. We have used sleepinitaly.com, VRBO.com, Italyperfect.com, rentvillas.com. and had good luck. But look carefully at the descriptions of the apartments.

Some things to look for: is is centrally located? is there a/c? how big are the bedrooms and bathroom? (some bedrooms barely have room to move around in). if it is on an upper floor, is there an elevator? Note that the first floor in Europe is one floor up from the ground floor, so a third floor apartment is really on what we call the fourth floor. All of these things influence the cost of the apartment, so if one is really cheap, look to see if it has these amenities. Do reviews mention noise? Some of the streets around the Campo de'Fiori are quite noisy late a night. Apartments on the lungotevere (parkway along the river) may have a lot of traffic noise.

http://www.vrbo.com/34749. It is located in the Forum area.

This is the VRBO property we rented in Rome in 2007. There were five of us and it was very nice. Enzo, the owner, is very easy to work with. Hope this helps.

Good news to hear about Laura's vrbo apartment since we (2 couples) will be in that same apartment in just over 2 weeks. Like Laura, we researched LOTS of places and also used vrbo for our accommodations in Montepulciano and Venice, as well as Antequera, Seville, and Madrid in Spain. As long as we're somewhere for at least 3 nights, we always prefer a rental over a hotel.

Knoxville, we live nearby. Please post a trip report when you return!

willowjane - I'll try, but it might not appear until Christmas! I always have very good intentions, but....

There is a chance that our trip may be significantly revised - our travel partners are having significant health issues right now. Our inclination is to press forward even if they have to cancel - if we do, then my wife and I can really splurge in terms of living space in each apartment/house (each have our own bedroom and bath!), but the cost will be quite a bit higher.