Andrea could not be more gracious, charming, or helpful. He was at the apartment to greet us even though we were a couple of hours late, and on our departure he walked with us to the train station and helped with our luggage. He also responded promptly to an e-mail requesting assistance during our stay.

The apartment is clean, comfortable, and lovely. It's situated an easy walk from the station and from the Colosseum. All sorts of shops and eateries are steps away. A generous assortment of food and beverages was waiting for us in the refrigerator.

The only drawbacks we encountered were minor: There are a good many stairs to deal with to reach the apartment from the street; getting into and out of the bed requires a greater-than-average effort; the array of light switches can be bewildering; there are a few spots where you can bump your head if you're not alert.

Both the place and the host are outstanding.