My expectations were met and exceeded. I knew as soon as I arrived at the front door of the building that it was a winner. Loved the building and the front door. Everything about it was perfect; the winding, wide staircase...the contemporary, glass elevator...the attractive apartment front doors. By the way, my arrival was seamless. Laura had her housekeeper greet me & Laura is very good about communicating prior to arrival. Being able to check in the morning was very advantageous compared to having to wait until early afternoon as is usual at a hotel.

Laura's photos of the apartment are good but the apartment is even better. I loved the bathroom and the terrace. A bottle of rosso and two glasses welcomed me and one of the first things I did after unpacking (plenty of closet space and 2 drawers) was to uncork the bottle and retreat to the terrace to decompress and enjoy the views and sounds. Monti is perfect. Narrow, cobblestone streets with beautiful architecture and full of options for food and drink. About 5 steps from the front door is a cafe that I would grab a quick cappuccino each morning before heading out to explore. Speaking of exploring, this location is perfection for exploring.

One tip I have is to rent a bike from nearby Bici and Baci. It is a few blocks away on Via Cavour. As of 11/2013, it is only 11 Euros for a day rental. Biking in Rome might seem crazy but it is absolutely safe. Everyone drives fast and aggressive but drivers are very engaged and respect bikers. I rode all over including Vatican City (take a western route & be sure to spend time at Villa Doria Pamphili, Rome's largest landscaped public park. It is very enjoyable. I also recommend biking the Appian Way which begins not too far south of the Colosseum which is also right out your door. Riding the Appian Way (started in 312 BC) was liking walking/peddling back in time.

To sum up, this is a gem. It's a small space but you get tremendous value per square foot. I wish Laura had an apartment in every city in Italy.