Residenza San Martino

Fine.

The location is the apartment's one good point, close to the metro and buses. The rest needs work: the infrastructure needs improvement and the place needs a thorough cleaning. The kitchen was the worst part. It's tiny and filthy, and everything is old and needs replacing. The dishcloths and sponges were worn out and very old, so we replaced them as soon as we got to the supermarket. Even the entrance to the building made a poor first impression, with stains on the walls and floor. I won't be back.

The owner's attitude and the location are the only things that meet expectations. For the price, the rest needs a lot of work. I've seen apartments in Bulgaria that were far better and cost much less. Even adding insulation to the windows would help, since it's a single pane in a metal frame on the first floor beside a boulevard. Rome itself wasn't for me either. With the crowds and the general attitude toward tourists, I'd avoid it unless you're keen to spend half a day in queues to see various popes and other relics.

The location is really handy, the host replies quickly, and the apartment has two bathrooms and is fairly well equipped. The regular beds were comfortable, though I can't say the same for the sofa bed. The room at the back of the building was a good one. Sleep was difficult because the sound and temperature insulation are poor. It felt like the windows were open, and you could hear everything, including the person upstairs, who sounded like an elephant. The blackout blinds also let in light, so bring a sleep mask if that bothers you. Proper blackout curtains would help. The kitchen needs a thorough clean, especially the sticky stovetop, oven, and tiles above the hood. There's also a sewer smell that doesn't go away. It's a shame, because the place has potential, but cleaning is where improvements should start.