Rome and Luggage

I cannot really answer your question about luggage services, but a thought: Why don't you take a late morning train from Milan so you don't arrive too early? a 10:00 train puts you in Rome at 13:00. By the time you get to the apartment it will be close to 14:00 and you can check in. OR will the manager store your luggage until check in? We frequently drop off our luggage prior to check-in so we can get out and about.

A. You are packing light right? Just keep your luggage with you for a few hours.
B. As suggested take a later train.
C. OR if you must, lock the luggage in Roma Termini sight see and check in at 2pm with just a day bag, enough to freshen up, toiletries and change of clothing...then leave apartment and do whatever you planned on for the day....pick up your bags at then end of the day before the termini office closes ( not sure of times). This all depends are how far away you are from the Termini at 1 pm or so...you could plan to be close to it....and taking a taxi from the termini to your apt might be a good idea anyway.

The fewer hands your luggage goes through in Italy the better off you will be! :)

Enjoy!

Yes, I don't understand why you need to get to Rome so early. I would just follow Laurel's advice and get in at about 1 pm. As she suggests, it will be practically 2 by the time you get your bearings and make it to your apartment.

There was one of those Stow Your Bags places right down from our hotel last week, but I didn't go check it out . . .

I'm not sure why the apartment owner would give you a late check out when he's letting you check in at the normal time of 2 pm. It doesn't hurt to ask, I guess, but just as you are glad the prior tenants are leaving so you can get into your apartment at 2 pm, I'm sure those who follow you would like to be able to get in by 2 pm as well when it's their turn.

I was going to use the Stow Your Bags option when I was in Rome in October but was able to leave them at apartment while the were cleaning it before check-in. I was going to use the one by Campo de Fiori as it was conveniently located to where I was staying. I passed by it several times and it look good but I didn't have to use it so can't judge as to their service. You could use that one (as there are people there) and do some touring in the area (Pantheon 7 min, Navona Square 4 min & Campo de Fiori 2 min) then pick up your bags and go onto your apartment (if your apartment won't let you just drop your bags).

Getting a later train isn't a bad idea so you can arrive closer to your check in time and not worry about any of it, but if you have to get out of Milan early, yes, Termini has a bag drop.

I've been using Stow Your Bags for the last few years now instead though and it's absolutely great. I used their staffed location first but there is one in Trastevere that's not far from you at all that I used some months ago and it's self service lockers and perfect for locking stuff up for a few hours. It's easy to use, your bags are insured, which is something I really like about this company, and the self service one is very cheap. They arrange private cars via intercom if you need to get to the airport but I'm not sure if you're flying out or taking the the train? Anyway, it's there if you need it. Here's the link:
http://www.stowyourbags.com/en/shop/rome/luggage-storage-trastevere-center/

They've expanded all over since I first used them (they're in Milan too now) so it looks like they're making more people happy than just me. Have a nice trip!

Thanks everyone for the advice; based on the many positive responses and the fact people seem to know of Stow Your Bags online I think I will use them. Also the fact they have a location in Trastevere makes it very easy for me and I only need it for a few hours so it won't cost very much.

Now I need suggestions on early things to do/eat in Trastevere to kill time/eat as much as possible! There is a lot and I will be tired, so maybe a little food and a quiet exploration of a neighborhood park or tranquil spot if there is on and a look at Santa Maria in Trastevere? Or cross the bridge for morning shopping in Campo (though maybe this is best another day when I don't have to pick up bags later)? What do you suggest?
As for the late checkout question I did say the owner is seeing not that it is definite yet. The reason why they are seeing is because the apartment is currently not booked the next day. If it becomes booked then it won't be possible. Just like the people in the apartment before me now can't check out late since I booked after them. Maybe they asked, I don't know.