NOTE TO PROSPECTIVE MALE GUESTS: please ask for approval before seeking a reservation.
I stayed at Paola's place for three nights in August. She was gracious to accept my reservation even though I am not a girl because she was present for my stay.
I would recommend Paola's place for a budget-minded traveler seeking accommodations near Rome's major sights. The forum, colosseum, pantheon, and more are blocks away. The room itself is small, but comfortable. One note is that the place is not air-conditioned, so it gets quite warm in the summertime. Paola has a fan that helps with the heat.
Paola has a lovely rooftop patio that she invited me to use anytime and even shared Italian beers with me. Paola is a warm and welcoming host who is eager to share her great city with eager travelers.