Unique is an understatement. My son said this was his favorite place that we stayed in Europe. Alice was beyond helpful and cordial. She was the perfect hostess. And the location could not have been better. The downside was the dampness, and there were lots of drain flies (I swatted about 30 of them over 2 days.) Bathroom was cramped with mold on drawers. That being said we would still stay there again. This would be perfect for traveling students, but a picky spouse might not enjoy it as much. One thing that my son pointed out: there is a locking mechanism on the OUTSIDE of the iron bar door to the apartment. If anyone else in the building had the notion to slide the bolt shut you would be locked in the basement with possibly no phone service. To end on another positive, the wifi was outstanding. Overall definitely a thumbs up for Rome.