There will be 6 adults traveling to Rome for 10 days around Easter time. Knowing this is a very busy time, we are looking now for lodging.

I have found 3 apartment rental websites:

sleepinitaly.com
apartmentsrome.com
rentalsinrome.com

Can anyone describe how to evaluate these websites, or specifically how to evaluate the individual apartments within? Unlike hotels, there's no tripadvisor to offer detailed reviews. I also want to assure that these websites are reputable since money will be exchanging hands.

I am seeing rates of 100-300 euro per night for 6 people, which is clearly a better deal than 2 or 3 hotel rooms.

I have also heard about certain convents that rent rooms, but can't find any links to a website - anyone have any experience with this?

Take a look at Slow Travel. They are great for the research you are trying to do. Lots of reviews of apartment rental agencies. I used them earlier this year and they were spot on.

Agree with this, I used it for our last rental that was not our usual place. I loved the site.

thanks to both of you.

Check the Fodor's boards also for apartment reviews.

Once you get some names, type them into Google +/- Yahoo search with the word reviews. You will get some extras. (I added Yahoo search, because they are slowly, but surely getting better than Google).

We have stayed in both of these, and they were very good.

http://www.pantheonapartment.com/

http://www.residencebarberini.com/

A couple of years ago I used "rentalsinrome". I was very satisfied with my flat and the service that was provided. My stay was for 7 days. I was picked up at the airport (no charge) and met at the flat by the rental agent.

Since Rome is very big, it's important to know what district you want to stay in. I stayed in Trastevere which is a short walk to Campo dei Fiori (near the Tiber).
It's just a matter of doing the research. Good luck.

I used VRBO.com to rent an apartment in Paris and in Rome and I was very happy with both outcomes, good luck, cheers.

We have always used www.venere.com and been very happy with the outcome both location and price.

I think where you want to stay is going to make a big difference as well. With that many people, you may want to look at renting a house. Roman apartments can sometimes claim to sleep more than is really comfortable, especially with couples involved.

Rome is crazy during Easter. We were there (rented an apartment) and took some friends, it was just packed with Italians and we could not show them much because everything was jammed.

One other thing of note, really scrutinize the pictures. If you are a bigger person, those little roman showers are not going to be fun day in and day out. Ditto for washers and dryers, you'll definitely need a washer. Is the furniture covered with sheets or slipcovered? Is there maid service? Do you think you are really going to eat at home? How close are you to a market or supermercati?

Thank you for bringing this website to my attention!!!

Just rented for the first time in Buenos Aires and loved it. It really does force you to get out more and experience local life.

New Year's in Prague is next, in an apartment for sure!

we don't plan to cook, just some coffee and light breakfast at home. the rest we'll be eating out.

We were back and forth about going at Easter, but we're mostly going for the parents, who are Catholic, and we thought it would be more meaningful for them. We'll be there for 10 days, so we'll have enough time to take things slowly.

Can you suggest the best area? Staying near the central tourist area is very important to us because we have a group of 6 adults, 1 child. too many to schlep all over town in cabs and buses. Near the attractions, good but not fancy local/neighborhood eateries, and preferably with a quiet street or two so sleeping is not so hard. If we can find the perfect 'charming Roman' neighborhood complete with cute old Italian couple playing bocce, etc., we would be very happy.

bump for some neighborhood suggestions.

I think there have been no suggestions b/c what you would require is a time machine to take you back to the 1960s. Rome is an int'l metropolitan center and you aren't going to find your combination of needs easily.

If you want an area that seems more "authentic" compared to the rest of city then opt for Trastevere.

If you want convenient location - head for the centro storico - anywhere between the Pantheon/Piazza Navona and the Forum - although that's not near a metro stop

If you local, inexpensive eateries - then the area East of Vatican is for you.

That may be somewhat true, but I hope there's some charm left in such an old city.

thanks, we'll start looking in those areas.

Sorry I was in Greece and London etc. for the last two weeks.

I would definitely look at the Centro Storico. We usually stay in an apartment right on the campo di fiori, but that is not possible for everyone. Our last apartment was near gesu and I really liked it because it was close to the pantheon for good gelato, near the Corso Vittorio Emmanuele II which is great for buses. I am not a big fan of the Rome Metro, so I wouldn't use it unless I was going out to EUR.

Most everything you want to see is really within walking or bus distance. The trams, which you can pick up largo argentina are also great for going north south.

I like trastevere for the neighborhood feel as well. Bus service on the viale trastervere, on the lungo tevere and the trams should get you to the center of the centro (either by piazza venezia or the largo argentina) in about 10 minutes.

There are tons of apartments in trastevere and there you won't feel so much like a tourist. There are several open air markets and great supermarkets as well.

As for the Easter/Catholic thing, we were there for a specific event which was to see our Seattle cathedral choir perform at two churches including er, st. peters. It was amazing, but honestly, the city is so overrun with people who are not flocking to the vatican and the major churches on easter, but filing up the monuments and restaurants.

We looked at renting an apartment on via guilia as well, we thought it would be nice, but then the more I thought of it, the more I realized that the zooming cars in the middle of the night would drive me batty.

PM me if you want more info. I am not saying I'm an expert, but I am pretty familiar with the city and can give you some advice on certain areas.

I really likes slowtravel as well...