We will be going to Italy this summer. It'll be my husband and I, 2 daughters and my mom. We've got Airbnbs for Bellagio and Venice. We didn't have much trouble finding what we wanted there. For some reason Florence is a little trickier, not sure why. Quite a few places that come up on Airbnb have no reviews and so I don't feel comfortable booking them (one had a superhost with great reviews on their other places). I'd like to have a washer in Florence since we'll be about halfway through our trip and I think that we'll be needing to do it then, it's just easier than going to a laundromat in my opinion. Hotels are pretty much out because we'd need at least two or three rooms to accommodate all of us.
We've only used Airbnb on our previous trips. Is VRBO pretty comparable? Are there other types of places to rent an apt that is similar? I've tried doing research but mostly just come up with those two options. I've mainly been looking at Santa Croce - any other favorite neighborhoods? (we've ruled out the Duomo area).
After I get Florence set I'll start looking in Rome so any recommendations for there are appreciated too.
Thanks!
Posted by
Western Canada
3107 posts
Hi Catherine:
We stayed at this wonderful apartment this past September in Florence.
https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/9306481?source_impression_id=p3_1580672935_pkFwunLDcZ%2FqjzyV
It was the best I've stayed in in nearly 20 years of renting in Europe.
It had absolutely everything you could possible want or need for your stay, and was really clean.
It was through AirBnB, but I have also used VRBO/HomeAway many times over the years in Italy, and been very happy.
It's up one flight of stairs, no elevator.
We didn't meet the hostess, but met her daughter who was waiting for us when we arrived.
It's got three bedrooms, and two bathrooms, and plenty space.
It takes about 15 minutes to slowly walk to the Duomo area from there, but it's near Piazza San Marco to get a bus going anywhere.
I just loved it, and didn't want to leave!
(My review for it is on the listing under S.M.)
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
1046 posts
For the past 13 or 14 times in Rome and Florence, Verona, Siracusa, Lucca and Siena I've used vrbo.com with never a problem. Got scared of AirBnB with a cancellation the owner told me of when I showed up - said AirBnb knew about it weeks in advance (they couldn't find the reservation but the owner had a copy in her hand).
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1386 posts
I've recommended this airbnb apartment in Florence on the Italy forum before:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/10826925?source_impression_id=p3_1580695228_N5t2BzloXXpOPBc%2F
Not big enough for all of you, and it kind of depends on how old your daughters are, but the wonderful superhost, Silvia also has another apartment just down the stairs from "ours":
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/13244108?source_impression_id=p3_1580695287_E689ag2KfH7atUfH
We could have stayed in either one. Great air conditioning and screens on the windows --- two things not easy to find. Washers in both apartments. With both apartments, you'll have all the beds and bathrooms you need. Silvia also lives in the same historic building and speaks English and is very helpful.
Best gelato in Florence just around the corner, where you will also find the bus stop for the little electric buses that will take you to many places on both sides of the river, including the train station. Close to the Sant'Ambrogio market and many places to eat. I can't think of anything the matter with the apartment we stayed in unless you don't like the stairs.
Pedestrian-only street, 15 minute walk to the duomo. I took the bus almost every day because I had classes to go to --- they came about every 10 minutes and went all through the historic center and so were often nice after a day with a lot of walking. A bonus is that "my" stop was the end of the line, so they were never full there, in fact often empty.
We were there for 5 weeks one very hot September plus a few days in hotter August and bearable October. It really felt like home. The photos are accurate. Lots of reviews.
Posted by
Trieste, Italy
170 posts
Hi Catherine,
I stayed at the Green Apartments in Rome a few years ago. It's close to the coliseum. I believe I booked on Booking.com, but not sure. In any event, I'm including their contact info below.
The Green Apartments Roma
“Your lovely stay near the Colosseum”
Via Labicana, 29/b
00184 – Roma
Tel. (+39) 338 781 7730
Posted by
OP
PNW
138 posts
Thank you all so much for your suggestions and help! I appreciate it!!!
Posted by
78 posts
Can highly recommend silver fern apartment in Rome. It’s 3 br 3 bath, is near Termini. Apartment is very nice and spacious. It is very competitively priced as well. It is down the street from what I consider to be the best gelato in Rome, Palazzo Dei Freddo. Angel’s House Apartment is another property I’ve stayed at, thru Lucky Holidays. It’s at the foot of the Ponte St Angelo and is very nice, 3br 3 ba and more expensive as I recall than silver fern was.
Posted by
OP
PNW
138 posts
Thank you normakwillis!
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2299 posts
hey hey catherine
cross-pollinate.com
flavioromeapartment.com
farnese apartment 1870
merilana suite navona
locazione turistica appartmento la torretta
torre lambertesca
don't know your budget in euros or what your dates are. these are 3 bedroom/2 baths, elevator and A/C. the summer time will be HOT!! look at the pictures and what the bedroom/bed situation is, what floor and if an elevator/lift or climb stairs with luggage. we also like to look for a place with a terrace to sit outside and relax with coffee or wine. good luck, have a great time and enjoy
aloha
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2396 posts
Try staying at a nun operated place. We wouldn’t think of staying anywhere else. Find them at monasterystays.com