The listed building in which this apartment sits in the heart of the Italian capital dates back to the seventeenth century, but upon seeing the modern interior, you wouldn't think this space has been in use for coming up to four hundred years. We nodded our heads at the attractive combination of parquet flooring, bold colourful artwork and contrastingly minimalist white kitchen when we paid a visit, as well as the attention we received from the host, who was helpful and full of local recommendations. And given the location, there's plenty to do. Both the Pantheon and Piazza Navona can be reached in under five minutes on foot, while you can be on the banks of the Tiber in a quarter of an hour.

Home truths:
*The air conditioning comes in the form of portable units, which can be quite noisy
*There's a doorman in the building, but only during working hours
*While a lift takes you most of the way to the front door, there's still a short flight of steps once you get out, so it might not be suitable for guests with limited mobility
*The host can provide a cot, high chair, tableware and toys for children if required
*There's paid parking available off-premises