Three stars for the amazing location and lovely view off the big terrace of this apartment. I'd also give it three stars for the "bones" of the place--classic architecture and lovely big windows in the livingroom.
Otherwise, the apartment was really a disappointment. If you had an aunt or a friend of your parents who owned an apartment in Rome and they were letting you use it, the condition and amenities would be annoying but not be mentioned--because then it would be a free place to stay. That is not the case here. Renting apartments/homes has become a big business and often costs a great deal of money to the guest. There are certain expectations that go along with that in my view, such as:
-beds that are not ridiculously uncomfortable (I don't consider myself a princess and the pea type either--even my teenage sons who could sleep on nails were uncomfortable and didn't get good sleep)
-exactly four old tired rough mismatched towels for the four guests to use
-a toilet that does not actually flush solid waste (you read that correctly)
-outdoor furniture on said lovely terrace that isn't rusted out and broken
And these are just the bare minimum in my view. I would have been happy if the above had been at a reasonable standard. First, the lack of concern on the owner's part about the toilet (which he didn't do anything about or address so I'll leave the condition of that appliance for the week to your imagination). Second, with a small investment at IKEA, there could be comfortable beds, nice linens and towels and the impression that the owner cares at all about the comfort of the guests.
I don't like writing all this about a unit. We owned a place at the beach we rented out and I know how it feels if a guest is dissatisfied. But we also know how little it takes to meet the bare minimum. Fortunately we were there little during our time in Rome and the neighborhood will be one I return to again and again. But I'll have to stay someplace else.