Rome rental apartments

I don't know that agency, but have had good luck with Cross-Pollinate. While the CdF area is convenient, try not to restrict yourselves too much. Prati (near the Vatican ) is great and well connected by multiple transportation options.

The best website I know of is RonInRome.com. Ron essentially goes over everything a tourist needs to know about visiting Rome--including accommodations.

This is the apartment and owners where we stayed while in Rome. Perfect apartment and perfect location. I couldn't believe how perfect it was actually.

http://www.vrbo.com/320914

Over the years I've seen hundreds of bad reviews for rentalinrome. I would avoid them. There are lots of other really good agencies out there that don't have nearly as many issues as RIR seems to have.

Donna

Thank everyone for the input, noted and will avoid RIR as a result.

I haven't had any experience with RentalinRome but I've had excellent experiences booking apartments through HomeAway. We are leaving for Italy November 2 and I have apartments booked in Rome, Florence, Venice and Como. The ones in Florence and Como we've stayed in before and the owners are wonderful. We've also used HomeAway in the UK and Scotland. Good luck in your search.

I have rented for years through VRBO and have never been disappointed. I've had apartments in Florence, several different cities in Spain, and in Paris. I believe they've now merged with Homeaway. The only time I wasn't immediately happy with a rental was when I didn't like the neighborhood in Paris--one block from Pigale! It was colorful, but the apartment was nice! Choose one that fits your needs and then google street map it. The Campo di Fiori area of Rome is perfectly fine. Personally, I don't like being near Termini, because I see what I perceive to be seedy characters. I also don't care for the Embassy district, because it's TOO quiet, and not enough restaurants, etc. I like Prati (Vatican) Campo di Fiori, Piazza Navone and Trastevere. Campo is more central.

Janie,

Have you tried airbnb.com? I've used it in Europe before, and have used it for our stops in Italy this winter. If you like, I can PM you with the place I've selected for Rome. It's $175 per night, but that's for two bedroom, two bathroom, full kitchen, laundry, and excellent location. They come much cheaper, too.

I recommend looking in both Airbnb and VRBO. Here are my rules for evaluating any listing there:

1. Avoid any listings that have only 100% positive reviews from one-time posters.
2. Look for lots of fairly recent reviews.
3. Look for reviews that contain some negative comments within them. e.g. "The street noise was a bit much, but we loved it anyway." or "It was hard to find, but we're glad we did." Those are more likely to be legit.
4. Pay attention to the actual location of the apartment. Sometimes they'll say they're in a certain neighborhood but are actually way out at the edge of it, if in it at all.
5. Read the cancellation policy closely.
6. Watch out for loft beds with very low ceilings.
7. Watch out for beds where one side is crammed against a wall.
8. If the photos aren't showing you the bathroom, beware.

Good luck.

Michael posted a great list. I would just add to his number 4 comment

4) just because they say they are "close" to something doesn't mean they are close by your standards. Always check the location on a map before deciding on an apartment. Close to them might mean 2 miles, which is not "close" to me if I'm walking.

I would also add:

9) If you don't see it in a picture or it isn't listed as an amenity, it probably doesn't exist. Ex: If you don't see a microwave oven or dishwasher they probably don't have one.

10) "air conditioned" may mean a window unit in one room. Email the agency for specifics before booking.

Donna

Here's one more:
11. Always use Google Maps Streetview to see what the immediate neighborhood looks like. This saved us from booking on top of a McDonalds once.