There is a lift but also a flight of stairs you need to take. The location is excellent for the Vatican, a 10 min walk from the metro (Lepanto) and buses close by (Piazza Cavour). The checkin was very easy and thankfully the air conditioning held the heatwave out - mostly. It was 37 degrees so any system is going to struggle. The apartment has some foibles like any old apartment in Italy, but that is part of the charm. The library is amazing and the jungle balcony was a shady oasis in the heat. If you like staying somewhere out of the ordinary this place will suit you well.