Alessandro and his apartment are absolute gems.
First Alessandro. He is there when he says he will be there, he does what he says he is going to do, when he says he is going to do it, and he is so, so helpful. From arranging transport to restaurant recommendations, nothing was too much to ask. He really is the perfect host, with charm, humour and perfect English too. He wants his property to be everything you thought it would be and more, and he goes out of his way to ensure that is so. Brilliant.
Now the apartment. A gorgeous blend of carefully selected furniture, art and books, delivering urban chic within authentic, ancient Roman architecture. It is just beautiful. The Kitchen / Breakfast area is convivial and comfortable with every convenience – from coffee machines (Nespresso and filter) to oven and microwave. It really is well equipped. The sitting room is airy, cool and comfortable, with views of Sant'Ignazio church. There is a large screen TV, and a sound system with a lead so you can plug your phone in and play your own music.
The little balcony with table and chairs is lovely and gives views over the rooftops – a real feel of being part of the city rather than a short-term visitor.
The position is perfect. Really. A couple of hundred metres from the Pantheon (you can see the dome peeping out above the rooftops from the balcony), it is a perfectly feasible to walk to pretty much all of Rome’s major attractions. The Vatican is about a 15 min walk in one direction, Spanish Steps about ten in the other. The Pantheon is literally a decent stone’s throw away, and the Trevi Fountain a five minute stroll. Yet despite being right in the middle of everything, the apartment is quiet – being on a small road just off the main streets. The Forum and Colosseum are an easy walk, as is the super-trendy and pretty Monti area.
To summarise, it is a great apartment, in a great position, with great facilities, presented with impeccable taste and style by people who want you to enjoy the place. Not much more you could ask, really.
The apartment and the host deserve at least a 5 star rating. When we go back to Rome, our accommodation choices will be a short list of one. Alessandro’s place.