Marco is an exceptional host. Very easy to communicate with, welcoming and full of information. Just a great guy to chat with and you come away wishing you lived in the same city so you could be friends.

Our travel group was me and my partner and our kids (which includes a 3.5 year old and a newborn). The advice Marco gave us was just perfect, leading to incredibly delicious restaurants and non-touristy venues. He knows his stuff and won't fob you off the the tourist traps.

The house is in the best location possible in Rome for people watching, feeling involved in the general Roman lifestyle and, in a one black radius, there are restaurants, bars, supermarkets, boutiques etc. It is a great central location for getting to ALL sites on foot. The location alone is exemplary and where I would always base myself in future. We didn't use a single taxi or bus and ticked off all the big ticket items from Trevi fountain, to the Roman forum and the Vatican (just to name a few).

The Apartment itself has a lot of great features. Two bathrooms (note: both are very small) and two entirely separate living and sleeping areas which was great for us with our kids. It is in essence, two apartments for the price of one. It would be so effective to put teens/party animals on one side of the house! Also important in summer was the a/c units. They worked perfectly to keep us cool during some seriously hot days. There is no noise in the apartment as it is in the back of the block, so as fun as it gets on your doorstop, you are a world away (and cool) inside.

In the central kitchen is a standard European hip-high fridge, plus washing machine and bonus dryer!

We didn't cook there, since there are a number of well-priced, "the locals go there" restaurants and cafes about 20-100 meters away. Spoiled for choice!

We also didn't watch telly, but there is one in each living area.

One final note: the apartment is on the ground floor. If you have a pram, elderly parents, lots of luggage, or just no desire to traipse up a bunch of stairs, this is such a boon.

I just feel the location and layout of the apartment were such a unique find in Rome. Throw in wifi, washer/dryer etc, the nicest host who provides genuine Roma advice and you had me at "hello".

I can't wait to come back with my parents as well and rent out Marco's place next door too, which is equally as funky and flamboyant as this place.

Oh, I forgot to mention there is a stocked bar in the flat, made out of an old safe. Too cool.