Al Centro Storico Di Roma

I stayed at "al centre store o di Roma" with my family (mum and my two babies at age of 2). The very beginning was challenging and stressful because we couldn't find the place ( I checked exactly the address, looked at the area at google street view, so we found the doorway, but there were two hostels with very similar names on display, and I hit the wrong one and no one answered). We walked inside the complex with somebody but there were many doorways and no information signs so we did not know where to go. Inhabitants haven't been very helpful either. If you have the same problem go to the first door on the left ( the hostel is on the fourth floor). I tried to call "Al Centro...." but there was no answer ( I discovered later that the telephone no. provided on Booking.com was wrong). Finally our host appeared downstairs and helped us to get upstairs in the tiniest lift I have ever seen ( half the width of a standard one), what was quite a challenge with our luggage and twin pushchair in it :) Since than everything went perfect. Apel ( I'm sorry if I spelled your name wrong) was very pleasant and helpful. He kept helping us with the babies and the pushchair, he offered an extra bed instead of a baby cot (for our convenience). We got extra milk for the babies every day. The breakfasts were typical for Italy but large enough to satisfy our needs. The place was kept tidy every day. The greatest advantage of this place it's the location - 10 minutes walk from the Rome main attractions and walking distance from the Manzoni tube station. There is a pleasant shortcut through the via Ruggero Bonghi to Colosseum. If you are planing to travel with a pushchair or you have walking problems I recommend using busses. Rome is not disabled and pushchairs friendly and most tube stations have no lifts. There is a bus stop right in front of the hostel. For a snack you can use one of a few pizza places on Manzoni street.

The B&B we booked had a plumbing problem and they put us up in this place for 1 night. The room was bright yellow, clean and the basic amenities were available. It is located in a nice building with Portiers service. There is also the smallest lift we have ever come across. My wife and I could fit together with our suitcase, but then it was chock-o-block; filled to the brim!!! We could only stand en profile, funny contraption!! The breakfast served in the bedroom was varied and fresh, with the exception of the juice.

First of all, this is not a hotel with a front door and a sign outside and a reception desk at street level. It is a set of rooms in an apartment building on the 2nd and 3rd floors with no sign on the doors to these rooms. When I arrived by taxi from the airport, the intercom wasn't working for Centro Storico. So that was confusing and offputting. I got into the building because a pizza delivery guy was exiting the building. The employee, a Bangladeshi, has no English or French or Spanish (languages I speak) - I suppose he speaks Italian ..... a bit difficult for international travellers. The room was very good for the price. The bathroom is modern and very clean. There is a safe in the wardrobe, a flat screen and wifi. The air conditioning didn't work. But as the weather was cool it didn't matter to me. It is noisy with traffic outside on the Via Merulano. The location is great.