Simon's apartment is so clean, well located, and well decorated, that you almost wonder why it's so cheap - but that's just part of Simon's overall philosophy. Also one of the founders of Friends in Rome (www.friendsinrome.com), a website that creates events to bring locals and expats together, Simon is all about doing things right and making sure people are very well taken care of.

His welcome kit is legendary - for every arrival, he gives a little kit, complete with map, bus/subway ticket, cell phone, & suggestions of where to eat.

The kitchen is stocked with the essentials - oil, salt and pepper, etc, and although it's small, it's very new and well kept.

The apartment has one main room that contains a large bed and a dining room table. This room has nice vaulted ceilings and overlooks Via Montebello, home to the daily farmer's market of the neighborhood (but there are nice, double paned windows to keep the sound out). Past the kitchen and bathroom is a narrow corkscrew staircase that leads to a loft with a second bed - perfect for kids who aren't so little that they might find the stairs a hazard.

It's close to Termini - about a 5-10 minute walk - going in the direction of the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps (which you could reach in about 15 minutes on foot). Despite the neighborhood having a lot of hotels, there's also Trimani, a wine store and bar founded in the 1800's, some good, traditional restaurants, the even the remains of the Diocletian bathhouse (which you see at the end of the street in the photos).