PRESTIGIOUS IVY HOUSE! - 2BR/2BA - WIFI/WASHER/MOBILE PHONE

Our family (my husband and I and our teenage son) stayed at Ivy House for 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year. I would like to echo all the comments in the earlier reviews - the apartment is clean, spacious and comfortable, and really feels like home rather than just a vacation apartment. I loved opening the shutters every morning and looking out over the cobbled streets below. The apartment has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a dining room and very spacious living room. The kitchen is smallish but well equipped and frankly we didn't use it often as there are so many amazing cafes to eat at in the area,. It is very centrally located, with very short strolls to the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps & the great shopping streets (Via del Corso and Via Condotti etc) and around 20 minutes to the Vatican or Colosseum. There are small grocers / delis, markets and bakeries just 2 minutes away, and we truly felt we were living like locals. Emanuele was very helpful even before we arrived as we made a few changes to our booking. Once we arrived he was a great host, met us at the apartment and explained everything about the apartment and surrounding areas. He even booked a restaurant for us for Christmas Day! I cannot thank him enough for his help and I thoroughly recommend Ivy House as a great place to stay.

Our week in Ivy House was wonderful! The location could not be better as we were able to walk everywhere and not have to bother with transportation all week. Ivy House was perfect for four adults and with two bedrooms and two baths we could get up and get out early if we wished. We also had enough space for a bit of privacy when it was needed. We used the reasonably well-equipped kitchen to cook in a few times and the nearby grocer had all necessaries. Ivy House was comfy and welcoming and we surely enjoyed watching Rome from our big windows.
The dinner prepared with Emanuele and Alessandro was very enjoyable! We cooked with them some, when space allowed. We then ate together and were able to share how life works in our respective cultures...very enlightening for all. The local specialties they/we prepared were hearty and delicious. The two are quite personable young men! I recommend the evening.
Be sure to go to the nearby morning market for fresh produce and cheeses. The bakery is steps away, and there are lots of choices for morning coffee and evening gelato within a couple of blocks. no need for a bus or taxi.
Do be aware that Ivy House is up several flights of stairs. There seems to be an elevator but we were not told we could use it. If you are not up to stairs, be sure to ask before renting. As the apartment is near Parliament, there is a police guard house right out front, so we felt extra secure!
Emanuele was quite helpful whenever we had a need, which wasn't often. Be prepared to live like a local!

We took a risk booking this apartment as it had just been listed. We were not disappointed!
Our flight arrived about 90 minutes late but we were so relieved to see the driver who was organised for us by the apartment manager (Emanuele) was still patiently waiting for us inside the terminal. When we arrived at the apartment we were warmly greeted by Emanuele despite it being 10:30pm. He even supplied us with an assortment of pastries for breakfast. He was very patient and explained how everything worked and provided us with a folder with maps showing clear directions to the nearest supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies, pizzerias and good restaurants (those that are frequented by the locals). The location is wonderful - the Piazza Navone, Trevi fountain, Spanish Steps and The Vatican are all within a 10-15 min stroll. You're spoilt for choice for places to eat or just to sit down and have a coffee and all the designer shops are nearby. The area is safe and patrolled as its very near Parliament House and UNESCO which is directly across the (cobbled) street. There's a police guard-house immediately opposite the entrance to the apartment building that is patrolled throughout the day and night.
The apartment is very spacious and the high ceilings made it feel even bigger than it actually is. The 3 sofas were very much appreciated after a long day's sightseeing. There's about 2000 books mostly in Italian but there are some in French and English too - mostly historic/political (the apartment is owned by a journalist). The kitchen has all you need for those who want to cook. The beds are comfortable. The shower isn't huge but the water pressure is fine and there were no problems with the supply of hot water (4 of us showered each morning).
The only possible negative is that the apartment is just too convenient to the Giolliti Gelati bar (which is a 2 minute stroll) - I think a couple of us might've gained a kg during the 4 nights we were there!!