Sleep in the Shadow of the Colosseum

Our first time in Rome we rented what was essentially a room in a three-bedroom apartment billed as a bed and breakfast. The room was a hot mess at best, and breakfast was non-existent. For the life of me I can’t remember the name, but I’m sure it is not the only Rome apartment being pimped out on the internet as a something it is not.

It was 2010 and our first jaunt to Europe. We had no idea about the joys of vacation apartments. Fast forward to this spring. We were heading back to Rome for two nights with Beth’s cousin, and, knowing the benefits of having an apartment compared to a hotel or hostel, especially with multiple people, we decided to book a place through GowithOh.

Since that initial trip to Rome, we’ve stayed in half a dozen apartments. In that time, I’ve gotten pretty good at being able to tell the good from the bad when searching online. So, when I came across this Rome apartment near the Colosseum, I got excited–all signs pointed to a winner.  See one thing I learned early on is that the combination of pictures and your imagination can be a dangerous thing. I remember this apartment Beth and I thought about renting on the coast of Tijuana years ago. On Craigslist (and in our mind) it looked ideal. That all changed, however, when we went to check it out. The apartment was so far from what we had imagined, it was scary–literally.

Related: 30 photos from Rome that will make your mouth water.

Well, I’m happy to report that this Rome apartment did not disappoint. Not only did it live up to its online profile, but this first floor apartment (that’s the second floor in Europe; there is no elevator) was even better in the flesh, partly because of its long wraparound terrace that leads out to a patio. Inside, the décor is modern and accented with period pieces, like the sofa in the lounge, as well as high ceilings and windows throughout the space. The design works well to create a nice place to come home to after a long day of touring the city. The one bedroom rental features a double bed as well as a double sofa bed in the living room. One thing the apartment doesn’t have is a TV; however, there are  a couple of desks in the living room where you could set up your laptop. The kitchen also has a table–perfect for morning and late night espresso conversations.

We really enjoyed the two nights we had in the apartment. The place felt authentic and made for a great base to explore the city from. Overall, it’s a really easy place to recommend for your stay in Rome, especially if you plan to tour the Colosseum or Palatine Hill.  In fact, the Colosseum is only about a 5 minute walk away and the photo of the Colosseum (above) was taken from right down the street – maybe a 30 second walk. The location of this apartment is fantastic because you are so close to the major sites!

The apartment requires a minimum two night stay and starts at $47/pp in the low season. If you are traveling with a small pet, they can stay for no additional charge (love that!). For more details or to book this vacation rental, you can see the listing here.

Location.

It’s hard to beat an apartment that is this close to the ancient Colosseum. The rental is a five minute walk from the Colosseo metro stop on line “B”, a main transit stop in the city. If you are looking to be in the heart of entertainment, then this isn’t it; however, that is not to say that you shouldn’t stay here. The apartment is set in the historic Monti neighborhood and its location makes it easy to walk, grab a taxi or hop the subway to a more lively section of town. Additionally, there’s a spot on a bridge, just a 100 hundred yards or so from the rental, where you can take in a peaceful panoramic of the Coliseum without the crowds.[/one_third_first][one_third]

Ideal Guest.

This one bedroom, which features a pull out couch in the living room, is well suited for small families or a group of four people looking for a quite getaway from the busy metropolis. The apartment features a full kitchen with everything you need to cook at  home. And the terrace is a perfect place to escape the hustle of Rome and enjoy a quite evening with some wine and cheese or a homemade meal with ingredients bought from one of Rome’s famous produce markets, like Campo de’ Fiori. Because of heavy rains the patio table and chairs were put away, but believe me when I tell you that the spot shown in the last picture above would be an awesome place to dine.[/one_third][one_third_last]

Design Notes.

The exposed wood beams and loft (it is just for show) in the living room gives the space a sophisticated cabin look, while the kitchen and bedroom have a brighter feel to them. The apartment was clean upon our arrival and everything functioned properly.  In the bathroom, there is a bathtub ( a rarity in Italian apartments) and a separate shower.  The vacation rental also features WiFi. However, because of the building ‘s thick walls, it worked better in some rooms, in particular the kitchen, than others.[/one_third_last]

What is your favorite thing about staying in vacation rentals when you travel?

*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers and Beans Travel Website & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you do want to use one of them please contact me first. Thanks!
*Disclosure: While we were hosted by the great folks at GowithOh, our thoughts and opinions are entirely our own.