It may not be the prettiest neighbourhood, but it grows on you, especially if you're travelling with kids. There's a playground just up the road filled with friendly locals, and a supermarket opposite the playground. Then there's the massive Eataly supermarket experience where you can buy a refillable bottle of decent wine. But, even closer, right at the entrance, is a great pizza place. On the corner? An ice-cream shop that always has a long queue. And when it comes to sushi restaurants, you're spoilt for choice.
Bene's place is good for a couple and kids. There's not a lounge area, but we put the kitchen chairs on the little balcony and drank wine and people watched.
We also found Bene to be a wonderful, easy-going host. She is charming and kind and was flexible enough to allow us to book an extra night at the last minute, and to extend our checkout time.
As for cleanliness, this apartment is spotless. It's furnishings are a little worn, but they are comfy and super clean. We also found everything we needed, even more, like crayons for our daughter.
Should you stay, it's worth going through Bene's Frommer's guide to 24 great walks in Rome. There's one right in this area that's worth doing. You'll get to visit the graves of poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley.
The metro's right at Eataly and gets you into town asap.