Francesca's place was very, very convenient and she provided us with some great information about where to eat and things to see. Very helpful.
We were a bit surprised that the flat was in the basement, but it was very safe and had a lot of windows (with bars). Because it was in the basement, the apartment felt a bit humid and made it difficult for our towels to dry. We were there only a couple of nights so it wasn't a big deal. The apartment was spotless and clean - no complaints there.
While it FELT damp, it DID NOT SMELL damp nor was there any indication that it was an issue. I think it was just the time of year when the heating system hadn't kicked in yet but the dew in the morning was making it feel colder/wetter.
We cannot say enough about the location. It is PERFECT for anyone wanting to check out the attractions within walking distance. The Vatican Museum is about one kilometer away and the bus in front of the house will take you to the very centre of the city. It couldn't have been any more convenient for us!
The neighbourhood is beautiful and felt very Italian. It was away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist sites but still near enough that we could walk. Awesome!