Max was an exceptional host. There's a real qualitative difference between folks who are serious about their Airbnb hosting and who are committed to making it real and valuable, and those who are just making a spare room available. Nothing against the latter, and those experiences are often quite pleasant. But when you stay with the former, you know it.

The apartment is in the Trastevere area of Rome, just west across the Tiber River from the historical center of the city (which has the Colosseum, the Forum, and most of the places you've heard about). Max's place is just a couple of blocks south of a very large and beautiful park, and Max has made a useful local map showing recommended restaurants, markets, and other useful places nearby. I found the place *very* conveniently located, and I never used public transit -- but I enjoy walking. The Colosseum is about a 1/2 hour walk away, and there was nothing that I needed to get to that I couldn't walk to in under an hour -- but it would often take me much longer because it's impossible to walk in most of Rome without passing fascinating and distracting places, and so I'd usually get very diverted. But if you're not a strong walker, the apartment is very close to convenient public transit lines (one rail line and several bus lines), and Max provides several printouts about what buses to take to get to the major centers.

The apartment itself is on the third floor, facing the street -- it does get a bit of street noise, but the windows are good and I didn't find the noise intrusive and had no trouble sleeping. It's a modestly-sized two bedroom place (I suspect that the guest room I stayed in was once a living room), very comfortable, with excellent internet (fast and reliable), and firm mattresses. A hair dryer was provided. The kitchen is fairly well equipped, and Max has coffee and some excellent tea available, and refrigerator space if you're inclined to prepare your own food. And he has suggestions for places to eat if you're not so inclined. He also had a tourist guide book, a city map, and a phrase book. And plug adapters. And fruit. And wine. He had a lot of stuff, is what I'm saying. :-)

Max himself is a terrific person, very friendly and enthusiastic, with an excellent command of English. He works in the tourist industry, so he has a good idea of what visitors will want and has plenty of good advice; I was there during the slow season, so he had time to chat and even to drop me off at the metro when I was leaving, which was very helpful.

I was very glad that I stayed there -- and since a week in Rome really isn't enough, I'll certainly look forward to staying with Max again next time I'm in town.