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LOCATION - On the corner of Via Condotti and near the prestigious Hotel d'Inghilterra, the Rome Valentina apartment is in the heart of all that is elegant in the Eternal City. A two minute walk puts you in front of the Spanish Steps. This is one of the most sought-after, beautiful areas in the historic center of Rome. The location is terrific.
BUILDING - The elegant apartment building, an Italian palazzo is well-maintained and was built about 250 years ago. Across the street are the warm ochre-colored tones of the Torlonia palace. The Valentina apartment is on the third floor (second, European designation) and adjoins the Renata apartment that, if available, can be rented at the same time to sleep up to twelve people, two of whom would occupy the sofa-bed in Renata. The building has an elevator. The narrow street below is primarily for pedestrians-only, except for taxis, local deliveries and motorini (motor scooters) that seem to buzz around with impunity. In the warm months the murmur of the pedestrians can carry up to open living room windows.
VALENTINA APARTMENT INTERIOR - Spacious and quiet elegance typify this fine apartment. Four large windows light the living room, two look up Via Condotti towards the Spanish Steps and two overlook Hotel d'Inghilterra and Via Bocca di Leone.
In the living room two white sofas are grouped by the working fireplace that features stonework from the ancestral home in southern Italy. The hand-hewn ceiling beams have been exposed to display the room as it was originally designed. Also in the living room are some fine antique pieces, a sideboard, a desk, and a long dining table that will seat eight. The living room has a television with satellite reception. The apartment has high-speed internet.
Next to the living room is a good-sized bedroom with a queen bed. The closet area is great for travelers with space for stowing your suitcases and open shelves and rods that keep your items in view. The closet leads to a bathroom with step-in shower that has a fixed shower head as well as hand-held shower.
From the large entry, one can enter the living room or proceed down the hallway to laundry, kitchen, small bedroom and second large bedroom. The hallway has floor-to-ceiling French doors that open over a railing onto the internal courtyard. It is a great way of bringing in cooling breezes and the warm Roman weather. The floors are tile throughout.
Off the hall is a nook that contains a washing machine across the hall from the well-lit, galley-style kitchen that has a four burner stove top, microwave oven, dishwasher, small refrigerator/freezer, toaster and coffee maker. Dishes, flatware, and pots and pans are provided.
The next bedroom is the smallest, with just room for a single bed and an antique desk with a large antique mirror. The sixth sleeping place is perched high in this room, accessed by a ladder. This sleeping loft with safety rails has a French twin, i.e. large twin mattress. A little shelf for your book and glasses and a reading light are all you find up here. There is however, an air conditioning unit high in this room so it will be comfortable even during hot nights. The loft bed will probably appeal most to youthful guests or young-at-heart since you can't stand up in the loft and you've got to clamber up on a ladder.
Directly across the hall is a full bathroom with a small step in shower stall with telephone style shower head that can be used by the small bedroom occupants and also is easily accessed by guests.
The third bedroom is large and features a configurable twin/queen bed. A small, narrow balcony with planters opens onto the interior of the block with views of several nice terraces and well-gardened balconies. The dressing and closet area is well thought out for guests with space to stow luggage and open shelves and rods for clothing. The closet area leads to a bathroom with jetted tub with fixed shower head above it as well as a hand held shower.
The apartment is decorated with art and antiques. The linens and upholstery are primarily crisp white giving a sense of calm and luxury. Rent includes one and a half hours of housekeeping each weekday (except holidays). |
