Appartamento d'epoca Colosseo Art Gallery

This was the only property I could find in Rome large enough to accommodate my large group (10). We loved the dinning room and sitting around the big table. The best way to get around is walking or get an Uber because the location isn’t very close to a Metro. You can walk to the Colosseum, as it's around 10 minutes away.

My review is mainly based on the two top floor bedrooms because that's where myself and my family stayed. One of the two upstairs rooms looks down over the kitchen sink and the other looks down onto the window area of the bedroom with three twin beds below - both rooms share the tall windows/wooden shutters of the rooms below. The ceiling and doorways are low, so adults will need to crouch when walking or using the bathroom mirror. The beds are hard, there isn't any air conditioning in the room over the kitchen, but there are floor fans available. The other twin bedroom has a floor fan and doesn't have it's own A/C, but shares the cooler air coming from the bedroom below. Considering, this place accommodated my large group, I can’t complain.

The first thing to understand is that this is not a buy-and-rent scheme. This was the owners’ family home, and now that they’re older and it’s only the 2 of them, they rent it out rather than leave it empty. That’s why it’s such unbelievably good value! We loved just about everything about this property: it was in an exceptional location, just up from the colosseum; it was spacious enough for an extended family group of 9 adults and children; it was spacious and well equipped; the furnishings were high-end and classy. Some reviews have called the furnishings tired and worn, but quality well-made old marble-topped drawers and side-tables made of burled walnut and mahogany are far better than cheap flat-pack furniture that’s poorly assembled, even if worn. The dining room table is leather-inlaid (although covered to save it from the damage of uncareful guests). The whole apartment is covered in hand painted tiles from Amalfi, and the effect is stunning; especially against the valuable art displayed like a gallery. Imagine having wealthy aunt and uncle or grandparents who let you use their place. It’s not new: it’s classy! They are really lovely, too, and take you through the whole place before leaving, and ensure you have their email and WhatsApp for communication. We are already discussing another family gathering there!

My only problems were with initial communication on arrival and the pans in the oven. We had only communicated through Booking.com prior to arrival, and I wasn’t able to reach them by phone from my UK mobile. We waited upstairs under the cover of the cafe on the corner for cover for an hour in the rain and hail (checking the entranceway regularly), whilst trying to sort this. I finally found Booking.com’s Italy number, and they contacted the owners, who had been waiting for us. They were very apologetic. Also, the pans in the oven were coated in grease and food debris. We also had to hunt for the baking/broiling sheet, and finally found it down the side of the fridge. Judging from the thick build-up of dust and grease, it had been there since before COVID. We cleaned these things, but really they should check that these things have been cleaned and are not hidden away.

Everything

Beautiful apartment full of antique furniture, glass chandeliers and paintings. Good facilities.

The upper floor with extra two bedrooms has a very low ceiling, you cannot walk upright there; the upper rooms are open to the lower floor, so no privacy, not suitable for adult couples. In effect only 3 bedrooms could be used instead of 4. Our booking indicated 6 adults although we were 8 but we had all 8 names listed; our cost was increased with 200 euros at arrival. There are many homeless people sleeping on the street in the area.