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> SlowTrav > Italy > Vacation Rentals > Reviews > Rome Review 1002: Dolce Roma, Banchi Vecchi
2bed/1bath apartment in the center, Rome WhenJune 3 - 8, 2004, 5 nights LocationVia Banchi Vecchi is in the historic zone, nestled between Vittorio Emanuel II and the river. The southern end links to Piazza Farnese and Campo de Fiori, Via Giulia runs parallel, and the bridge to Piazza S. Pietro is nearby. The street is filled with numerous restaurants, wine bars and art galleries,and small shops, but is not overly busy and noisy. The apartment has double-glazed windows, interior and exterior shutters which keep out any street noises- mainly pedestrian and not auto traffic. No bells on the church across the street. Nearby AmenitiesMany restaurants nearby and the owner provides a good list. Several small food shops on the street plus a small supermarket in a nearby piazza as well as the market in Campo dei Fiori - all within an easy walk. The House/ApartmentThe apartment was located in a 14th century building and had only one other tenant whom we never saw. It is located on the first (our second) floor with manageable steps (we were 60+). The owner has created a bright, cheerful apartment with faux-painted white and yellow walls, newly tiled floors, and a clever use of mirrors and lighting to enhance to size and ambiance of the apartment. GardenNone. Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living AreasFurniture was in excellent condition and very tasteful. The living room had a sofa which seated two persons and there a table and 4 chairs for dining. The apartment was immaculate. Bedrooms/BathroomsBedrooms were nicely furnished with firm queen-sized, good pillows and good reading lights. The larger bedroom had a large wardrobe with plenty of hangers and drawers for ample storage. The smaller bedroom had a chest of drawers in the room and a closet/cupboard in the adjoining hallway. Both bedrooms had air conditioning. The bathroom was large (for Italy) with a tub and a shower. Lots of large thick towels were available. KitchenThe apartment had an eat-in kitchen with a table for four in addition to the dining table in the living room. There was a dishwasher, a new cook stove and refrigerator with a freezer. Simple white dishes, plenty of glasses, pots and pans were the tools to prepare a full meal which we did not do as there were so many good restaurants in the area. The owner provided the basics for breakfast - coffee, milk, jam, butter, crackers for snacks - especially nice for late arrivals. Problems or BonusesWe greatly appreciated the breakfast provisions, and the only surprise was the high quality of the accommodation at such a reasonable price. Agency and Representatives (and price)Natalia Lopez and her husband, Walter, both fluent in English, met us at the apartment and were very helpful in providing sightseeing, shopping, restaurant, and transportation information. She also provided a cell phone to use for reservations and incoming calls and arranged for a moderately priced taxi to take us to the airport for our departure. The website accurately reflects the quality of the apartment and Natalia always replied promptly to email. Prices shown on her web site and are more than reasonable. One wishes all property managers were as competent as she is. Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?Yes, I would stay at any apartment owned and run by Natalia and hope to do so again on my next trip. Things to do in this areaAll major sights are within walking distance, and the electric bus #116 which will take you to the Villa Borghese stops on Via Guiglia. Natalia provides a list of excellent moderately priced restaurants and we especially enjoyed our meal at Il Cardinale, a small heighborhood restaurant on the Via delle Carceri which is just across the street from the apartment. This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com. |
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