My pregnant journalist wife and I spent a lot of time researching the perfect place to stay for 4 nights with our kids (13 and 10) and baby (18 months), and came up trumps with Matteo's.

I have lived in London, NYC, Florence, Paris, Munich and Edinburgh and know many European cities well. I can recommend their apartment 110% to fellow AirBNB travellers.

It is spacious very high ceilinged with well-designed duplex and kitchen, all mod cons, lovely books, attractive art, but most important in Rome - beautiful views across a quiet square onto an amazing Coptic church, with ancient basilica floating up behind. You are right in the heart of this extraordinary ancient city but comfortable and can spread out, such a rare experience! There is a store at the bottom of the stair where you can put baby buggy.

Excellent bakeries, butchers and delis around the corner, short work to Piazza del Fuori, 10 minutes or so to P.Navona or across the river to the Vatican, a little more to the Colliseum, Forum and other parts of the central city. Without exception, these are beautiful, uplifting walks.

Matteo's family are very nice with a history in the area. They can advise on which restaurants to go to to avoid the tourist traps, also hidden parts of Rome that are worth experiencing.

You basically feel like you are for too short a time able to be part of the real Rome and that is surely what most people will be looking for.

We will certainly come back and maybe even use it as a base for Bologna, Naples/ Vesuvius etc. via high speed train.