La Cupola was excellent. Originally a one-bedroomed second floor apartment, the owners have moved next door, and converted what was the sitting room into a bedroom ensuite. Hey presto, a tastefully decorated two bedroomed apartment with kitchen and two bathrooms, ideal for us as a family of five (mum, dad and threee kids aged 14,11 and 9) to explore Rome. Both rooms are elegantly decorated and high ceilinged, equipped with TV's and importantly air conditioning, essential during the heat of August.
Our host was lovely - she spent some time with us upon arrival helping us with our bearings and providing useful tips about transport - and thereafter pretty much left us to it. The apartment was cleaned daily, and it was delightful to return to the beds made and the kitchen cleaned.
Breakfast was continental, the fridge was filled with bottled water and juice and the kitchen well equipped for a spot of cooking if needs be ( we didn't).
The location was superb. I hope the photograph uploaded gives a sense of proximity to St Peters, taken as it was from the top of the Basilica. It is, literally, across the road - time your visit right ( before the cruise ship visitors arrive at 10.30 ish) and you need not queue. We attended 9am Mass on Sunday morning, and were seated on time having left the apartment at 8.40am.
The road seen from the photograph is the main road into the City Centre, with the stop for the number 64 bus close by. 1 Euro per adult passenger is very reasonable to get you within touching distance of Trevi and the Piazzas.
The apartment was also, importantly for us, walking distance from San Pietro station. If you are travelling to Rome by train from Fiumicino, you change at Trastevere and it is one stop on - a cheap transfer from the airport. We were using the apartment as a stopover before onward travel to Civitavecchia - the train to the port is direct from San Pietro and takes about 45 minutes, and on a Sunday cost the five of us no more than 20 euros.
Although on the second floor, there is a lift, although a few steps have to be negociated before reaching it. This may not therefore be suitable for particularly infirm visitors.
All in all, exceptional value, beautifully kept, and ideally located. We could not recommend this highly enough
- Sotto La Cupola Hotel
