We booked this property due to the fact that there were plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms to accommodate our family of 7 (3 kids, my husband and I, and my elderly parents). When we arrived we had to let ourselves in (per instructions from the management company) and then 20 minutes later we were greeted by the local manager. She processed our documents and very quickly reviewed how all the doors worked. No words of welcome, and no advice regarding Rome or the area. As we are experienced VRBO travelers we were hoping for at least a map, list of local places, and maybe even a little welcome basket. In fact, when I asked her about how to find the closest market, she didn’t know. Each apartment lacked in amenities. No paper towels, few glasses - if any - and no corkscrew, for example.
The furnishings and bedding were in poor condition. Stains everywhere, furniture chipped and badly worn, shower doors broken, broken soap dispensers, urine on the floor in the bathroom when we arrived…
As a courtesy I reached out to the owner to advise them of our concerns thinking that they would want to help us and make things right, but instead, the responses I received were rude. In fact, I even got a message from the proprietor telling me that he “didn’t want unhappy guests in his apartments” and that we could leave early and he would charge us a reduced rate. Rome in July? There was no way we could have found another place to stay, so we remained until the end of our booking. I’ve been coming to Italy for over 30 years and this shocking lack of hospitality is most certainly uncharacteristic of Italians…and definitely not what you’d expect of a VRBO property. Every other property we’ve stayed at in Italy was incredibly lovely, responsive and accommodating.
If you’re looking for a decent place in Rome, this is not it.
I recommend staying only at properties that are owner-operated, not managed by a third party.