Any opinions on which Rome apartment for three nights?

5 adult family members, budget is an issue. Two couples and one single, any bed configuration is fine.

Tim and I have spent time in Rome and are experienced travelers; the other three have not/ are not. We're all in good shape physically.

Which would you choose? We plan to see the Borghese Gallery, take the Scavi tour, Colosseum/Forum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona...

How important is air conditioning the first week of June?

Pantheon, 140 E:
http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_rotonda.html
This is my first choice, but it's on the 5th floor, no lift. I need to talk to the others about that.

Vatican Papa, 135E
http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_agatone-papa.html
Apartment looks fantastic for the price. How is the location?

Termini,
http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_milazzo.html
Apartment looks fine, but what about the neighborhood?

Trastevere, 155E
http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_penitenza.html
No a/c. How is this location? I've never been to Trastevere.

Vatican Terrace, 150E
http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/ap...o-terrace.html
Probably not this one because there is only one bedroom.

Vatican Bunk Beds, 150E
http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_argillabis.html
Not sure about the bunk beds.

THANK YOU!

I would be concerned with any apartment that requires one person to sleep in the living room area on a pull-out sofa. Usually they aren't comfortable and that person's sleep is disrupted by anyone using the kitchen (early or late)or anyone staying up late in the living area.

Did you ask Sleep in Italy about availability yet? I liked the Pantheon apt but it was already taken when we inquired about it.

kybourbon-
Very good point. The person sleeping on a sofa bed, if necessary, is my 25 y.o. brother-in-law. He's willing to sleep anywhere.

LAWoman-
Yes, these are all apartments with availability.

We're leaning toward the Vatican Papa apartment now, but I just am not sure about the location.

Then a tossup between Termini (location?) and Pantheon (less comfortable looking).

Thanks again!

The problem with the Vatican Papa apartment is that it's really quite far out from the main sights that you want to see. I suspect you would be riding buses or cabs a fair bit.

The location of the Termini apartment is more central, although not the most scenic. But since you're a group, it might not be bad in terms of feeling secure walking around at night (as a single woman, I don't really like to walk around that area alone late at night.)

The Trastevere location is fantastic! But the apartment is smallish for 5 adults and for me, air conditioning in June would be a must. I was in Rome last June and it was incredibly hot and humid, I'd be drenched after walking only a few blocks. And unfortunately, because Rome is a busy city, it's hard to sleep with the windows open.

Tim & Liz,

On the Pantheon 5 flights is a lot of stairs for sure. I've managed it before but probably wouldn't do it again if I had other choices.

If your only going to be there for 3 nights I would choose the Trastevere location. Location wise you are right across the river from the historic city center. There are great restaurants in Trastevere. This is closer than any of the Vatican apartments you list.

Of those Vatican apts. I would choose the Vatican Terrace, I really love the Via Cola di Rienzo to visit & shop and I make a point to visit here but it's a hike to the center and at night not much is open.

Wherever you are I'm sure you'll have fun. But since you are there for such a short time I think location is key.

Vatican Papa is off the beaten path. that can be good or bad. You will be on the subway and bus a lot, and walking quite a bit to get to them. However the area is nice, quite and very interesting I have a friend with an apartment on the Via Aurelia and so have stayed in the area quite a bit.

I like the Trastevere location the best--a tiny, tiny bit out of the thick of things but still very central for sightseeing. And it's good to be out of the thick of things in Trastevere.

Thank you all so much. The other four are pretty much leaving this up to me, and I am having a tough time deciding.

The Trastevere apt is not a/c... but we will be there at the very beginning of June. We're all from cold climates and hate being hot-- what is the likelihood of needing a/c?

For the Papa Vatican apt., the website says it is 10 minutes walking to Saint Peter's. Do you think that is true? Could we walk to Piazza Navona- I recall walking from St. Peters to PN in only 20 minutes or so. This apartment would be the most comfortable, so I am leaning toward it.

I don't think Vatican Papa is 10 minutes walk. If you choose Via Sant'Agatone Papa, 16 and then choose Piazza de San Pietro, on mappy.it, you will see that the location is pretty similar to the SleepinItaly start location on its map, and that the total walking distance is 1.91 km, which is over a mile (1.6 km).

There are a lot of plusses to that apartment, so I would check to see what sort of bus service it has.

I would rule out Vatican Papa, it is too far away.

I would choose the Pantheon even though it doesn't have a lift I would rather be in the center especially if just for three nights. You will just be walking vertically to your rooms instead of horizontally across town.

I do like Vatican Terrace, in fact I may bookmark that one for myself.

If you check Rome's weather history on weather underground: http://www.wunderground.com/history/...lyHistory.html

...you'll see the average is about 80 degrees F in June, the mean temperature is 71 degrees F. And it's very humid. As I said earlier, I really would want air conditioning, especially if you're sharing a small space with several adults. I've visited Rome several times and really appreciated A/C every time.

If it's too hot to sleep, that can put a damper on a vacation.

Thank you, all.

My brother-in-law, who is young and strong, is so into the location of the Pantheon apartment that he has volunteered to carry the luggage up the five flights!

I think we'll probably go with that one.

FWIW - Early June 2003 was extremely hot in Rome.