WE LOVED OUR STAY WITH VALENTINA! Where to start? Let’s start with Valentina, who is a remarkably kind and lovely person, not to mention a wonderful host. Not only did she arrange car service for us from the airport (we are seasoned travelers, but wanted a more direct path through the city), but she also met us at the apartment with snacks and a welcoming presence. She took the time to show us how ALL of the appliances worked, where things were stored, how to get in and out of the building, and took the time to identify on a map where some of the best nearby eateries could be found. During our 3-week stay, she checked in often (which was such a comfort) and made sure we had linens to last us nearly a month.
The apartment itself is beautiful and absolutely perfect. We couldn’t have asked for more. In addition to being conveniently located (more on that later), it was spotlessly clean, well-stocked with all necessary cooking and cleaning supplies, and spacious by any big-city standards. The kitchen comes equipped with a dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, oven, and more! There is more than enough silverware, dishes, and cooking utensils to let you cook as though you were at home. Valentina also stocked the apartment with coffee, tea, olive oil, and other cooking basics. The bathroom is a very efficient space and includes a washer for your clothes. The bedroom is so comfortable with plenty of space to store belongings. Even though the apartment is on a busy street, the double-paned windows ensure that the apartment is a peaceful, quiet space where you can sleep well. The balconies themselves offer a romantic element to the stay. Valentina also has wonderfully kind neighbors. We always felt safe in the building and in the neighborhood.
The neighborhood: Prati is a charming, safe corner of Rome, especially for a longer stay. Valentina’s apartment is close to at least four grocery stores (PAM, Todis, Carrefour, and Coop), as well as to innumerable restaurants, bars, pizzerias, and cafes. If you stay here, you’re about a 10-minute walk from The Vatican and a 30-minute picturesque walk to Piazza Navona. There is a convenient metro stop (Cipro, Line A) less than 5 minutes from the apartment, and should you need a taxi, you can easily find one at Piazza Risorgimento (just outside the Vatican) at any hour of the day. We loved staying in this neighborhood.
Overall: We would recommend anyone stay at Valentina’s flat. Given our choice of places to stay in Rome, this will ALWAYS be our first from now on. Valentina does such a wonderful job pampering her guests, and we will be returning to her sanctuary in Rome again soon! Thank you, dear Valentina!