Elena was the best; extremely elegant and helpful. She waited for us to check in when our train was cancelled and we had to bus from Paris to Rome overnight! The room was a beauty; the location just off Via Veneto and a short walk to the Piazza Barberini metro no problem. A small frig in the room. The house is only half a block from the American Embassy. Harry's Bar around the corner. We had a nice room; same one the previous guest did not like. We liked it!! A walk across the street to the Borghese gardens if you want to do a picnic. And a very nice, honest trattoria around the corner to the northwest with great food, nice owners and good prices. Only problem; be careful with the taxi drivers. We got hit for 28 Euro from Termini and it should have been no more than 10. Too tired to fight after the train ride. Plus he tried for a 20 Euro tip by not providing correct change. Look for a meter, make them drop you at the door of 54 Marche or they are going to try to rip you off. Ciao.

We were encouraged by other reviews on TA but sadly this was the first (and only) time we have been wrong footed. I write the following view to try and balance the perception and also in the hope no one has an experience like ours. I would also point out that we are not serial complainers and are genuinely quite easy to please. We have stayed in dirt cheap hostels across europe and had as much fun there as we did staying in some 4 star hotels.

We checked in at 9pm due to a late flight and a lot of traffic and were shown to our room by 'the girl' (I'm really sorry I didn't get her name) and left to it. First impressions were not great. The bed had clearly been folded out from the wall, it was like a camp bed and we constantly stubbed our toes on the protuding metal legs. They also prevented the cupboards from opening fully. The room was dark which we only found out the next day. My wife hardly slept such was the discomfort of the bed. I slept badly as well. It was hard and there was an awful noise of the when you moved in it. We did receive an extra pillow each the next day and this helped a bit. There are living quarters above and below the guesthouse and there were babies crying when we arrived. There was everyday noise throughout and every morning. We had to turn the fridge off at night to get to sleep as it was quite noisy on top of everything else.

The decor was unsightly. Above our bed 3 pictures of clowns (just paper) were tacked on to the wall. This was ugly and a little bit creepy. There was only a mirror in the bathroom. No kettle or mirror was provided despite repeated requests for the duration of the stay. Everything seemed to have been bought from ikea eg. Bath mats, cups, fridge, kitchen facilities.

The bathroom was extremely small. The shower space was triangular although the water and pressure were good. But you wouldn't want to be swinging any cats in there.

I telephoned the next day (there is nobody around after the morning time and we had left at an early hour for a tour) asking to be moved to a nicer room and if there was a more comfortable bed. I was told sorry, we are fully booked. Later that day I sent an email advising we wanted to check out as we were dissatisfied with the standard of the room (we couldn't risk another night without a good night sleep). At this stage I should say I have never had to complain or ask for another room or leave a place early. Again, we don't expect much and are not fussy people.

When I had the audacity to challenge the price I paid compared to the quality of the hotel they made a big deal that it is cheaper than hotels in this area. Some advice for the 1st time traveller - there are much much nicer and more central areas of Rome. We only chose this area because we were married at a nearby church. The other hotels nearby are very, very high end. If your budget is this type of accommodation (i.e B+B) you will not be going for beers/coffee/food anywhere in the immediate area. There was a lamboghini parked outside the closest hotel - this should give you an idea of what to expect. It is a good 20-25 minute to Piazza Navona, Pantheon and the other major sights. It is all uphill on the way back which is exhausting after a day's sightseeing. In the Via Veneto there is not much to see compared with the rest of Rome where you will generally spend the majority of your time.

Next morning I met Carlo who I think is the manager. He had read the email. I took him into the room and we spoke. I suppose best way of putting it is that we agreed to disagree (he had never had a complaint about the room). He was pleasant enough at the time and sorry the room was not satisfactory for us. I again told him we would be checking out and just needed him to confirm they wouldn't charge the extra 2 nites (I had give them a lot of notice and even agreed to stay another nite before leaving).

I returned later, he wasn't there and I asked the girl had she spoken to him and if she could confirm my refund so we could leave. She said there would be no refund and the boss had gone away for the weekend. She wouldn't give me his number. This girl was extremely rude, refusing to let me talk and talked over me constantly. Her manner was terrible, abrupt and unfriendly. When I asked her to listen to me and let me explain the problem she - wait for it - stormed off and locked herself in one of the other rooms! I actually couldn't believe it and would have laughed had I not been so annoyed. This is the level of customer service you will find here. They will not reply to your emails, they are curt on the phone, and they will refuse to speak to you face to face. God help you if you have a problem.

That morning we had breakfast. It wasn't great at all and had to be taken in the room as the cafe (where breakfast usually is) closes. We boiled the water for our tea/coffee on the stove. If I had wanted to go camping I would have stayed at home. The breakfast was some prepackaged mini croissants (awful), 2 bread rolls + parma ham.

In the morning time if you choose to lie on for a bit (i.e beyond 9am) you will eventually be awoken by the loud noisy girl on the phone. She was right outside our door and found it totally impossible to conduct a conversation at normal volume. This would probably only affect you if you are in one of 2 or three particular rooms but my God this girl had no consideration for the guests at all. Blabbering loudly on the phone and to anyone coming and going.

After all this we eventually checked out on the 4th of our planned 5 days and stayed somewhere else at our own expense. We were treated like dirt and the whole saga was beginning to ruin our holiday.

If you have already booked here my advice is to cancel. If you are planning to stay, don't.

Rome is amazing though so enjoy!

This B&B is more central, but it doesn't offer services. The breakfast is made from outside. The towels aren't clean. There isn't a checkroom then, when you leave the room to departure, the baggages bring with you.

Just returned from 4 nights in Rome where we stayed at Via Veneto House, a lovely little bed and breakfast in the Via Marche area. This is a family run business all of which are friendly and willing to help you any which way they can. The rooms have everything you need, double bed, ensuite, TV (but only if you can speak italian as could only find one English speaking channel). For breakfast you receive vouchers to eat at a local Cafe about a 5 minute walk from the guest house, food good as it is an authentically italian.

Ideal location leading straight out to Via Veneto which has a lot of lovely restuarants as well as the Hard Rock Cafe if you are looking for something familiar. Its about a 10 minute walk from the spanish steps and every attraction thereafter is within walking distance. Would recommend the walking tours around the Coloseum and the Roman Forum as it gives you a great insight into the history of the Roma.

We found Rome reasonabily priced for eating out but drinks were very expensive especially if you decided to eat and drink in one of the resturants surrounding a Piazza.

Brilliant city break, the only disappointment was Scotland's defeat at the rugby, but at least the sun was shinning.