I planned this trip for my mother’s 60th birthday, and given the fact that I was hosting five adults, I opted for an apartment as opposed to hotel rooms. My husband and I typically stay in five star hotels; for example, we stayed at Hotel de Russie in Rome prior to checking into the apartment, but we still had high expectations as this was listed as a “plus” property. For the most part, we enjoyed our stay, but there were certain issues.
Pros:
Amazing Location. We were a short stroll from the Spanish Steps and all other main attractions in Rome. We felt comfortable and safe in our surroundings and saved in taxi fares.
Large Space: The apartment was very large, and each bedroom had an en suite bathroom. The apartment is perfect for families or couples traveling together.
Air Conditioning: We visited Rome during a heat wave (100+ temperatures), so having central air conditioning was great.
Responsiveness: We ran into a few issues during our stay, and Maria always responded within a few hours.
Cons:
Accuracy of listing: The listing does not explicitly state that the building lacks a lift. The apartment is on the second/third floor, so the flight of stairs becomes repetitive and can be cumbersome for older adults.
Cleanliness: There was significant mold in the shower of the double bedroom and visible scuff marks on the walls from previous tenants. Entire apartment could use a deep cleaning from extensive use.
Service: The agency was supposed to deliver towels, deliver toilette paper, and change the linens in our apartment on Tuesday. They only dropped of towels. Maria assured us that they would come on Thursday, but they never did. The agency also thought we were checking out at 9:00 am instead of 11:00 am. When I shared with them that this was incorrect, they assured me that the associate checking us out was aware of the time change. She was not and contacted us at 9:00 am on the day of check out.