From the moment I contacted Alessandra, she was extremely helpful. She quickly informed us of how to get to her location with a multitude of options, satisfying any budget. Once arrived at her property, she upgraded our room because no one else was staying there, and informed us of points of interest- from food, to historical sites, to the best places to shop. If that was not enough, she leaves a whole booklet for you with EXTREMELY useful information (So much so, a few pages were removed by previous guests, but Alessandra replaced them.) She even has guides and maps of the city.

The building is a historical one, and Alessandra even provides a page of background in her guide, but it is tastefully upgraded. Vaulted ceilings, original windows, classic modern decor, gorgeous bathrooms- this was virtually a hotel with a more local feel.

The place is perfectly situated. If not going to the Colosseum (and the sites on that side of town) or Termini Station, I do not think I would have needed to purchase a bus pass. With directions to the neighborhood of Trastevere and Vatican City (provided by Alessandra), everything was a walk away.

By the end of my visit, I had made friends with a local grocer, knew where to get great gelato, and felt privy to a historical side of Rome that only Romans know.