We stayed in Mauro's apartment for 4 nights in April. The apartment is well situated just opposite the side facade of Basilica Santa Croce. This location is both central yet not in the main commercial districts, so you don't feel overwhelmed by tourist stores and traffic. I was initially concerned that the apartment would be noisy due to it's proximity to Piazza Santa Croce, and it's general centrality. But it is just off the piazza, thus quieter.

We were greeted by Giuliano, Mauro's father, who gave us the run down on the apartment. He also offered us practical advice on where to eat and where to shop for food, transportation, etc. The ability to get such advice from actual residents is a great help. The apartment interior was spacious, had character, and was furnished nicely with real furniture. Very homey and real, not like a rental furnished with cheap Ikea furniture. Giuliano is well traveled, worldly, and was extremely gracious. He told us to contact him if we had questions, and left us with a bottle of wine and a fruit basket. My 19 year old son wryly referred to him as the Italian grandfather he never had.

The kitchen was well equipped although we did not really use it to cook. The bedrooms and baths were perfectly fine although the bed pillows could have been a little better. There were three of us but the apartment could have accommodated more especially a larger family. The bedrooms were located in the back, isolating them from noise from the street. Although we could here some noises from other apartments, it wasn't excessive.

I would stay again here in a hearbeat given the opportunity.