My girlfriend and I stayed four days in the beginning of January, during the sales. We agree with the other reviewers that the location is perfect and that Giancarlo is a great host. I won't repeat what they said but here are a few additions:

We can also confirm that the rooms are a bit noisy so bring earplugs if you want to sleep late.

There's free internet in the flat, but also free wifi in the room.

There is a taxi station less than 15 meters away from the entrance, which is very convenient when you're tired of walking around.

There were scaffoldings on the building when we stayed, though we were there during a week-end so no work happened. It looks like they were being dismantled so they should be gone by the beginning of february 2009.

Amazing little place just across from the famous Hotel Hassler at the top of the Spanish Steps, no need to take a cab anywhere, just a short walk to the Trevi fountain or most anywhere in old Rome. Great rooms with very tall ceilings and A/C [very nice in the heat while we were there]. Very accomodating owner. Internet in foyer area with simple breakfast served every morning. You have your own keys and can come and go as you please. A terrific deal, would stay there again. Our friends also stayed at the apartment down the street that the owner also rents out which is a great deal for a larger group wanting privacy.

My wife and I spent 3 nights at the All'Obelisco in August and really enjoyed our stay. As it was August, Giancarlo was away and the place was run by Maria. The only thing that made it difficult was that Maria, a Ukranian, spoke no English at all, but fortunately for us there was a French couple staying that could translate her Italian into French which I uinderstood. The room was decent sized as was the bathroom. The shower was a little on the small side but not really that bad. We were never able to figure out how to operate the satellite portion of the TV so we only had Italian stations.

The internet station set up in the main lobby was a god send as we then did not have to find an internet cafe to check e-mails or look for restaurants.

Breakfast was very good, and Maria always asked what time you would like it served. There was always cereal, fruit, yogurt, bread and jam, coffee, and Maria would make you a soft boiled egg if you wanted one.

The location could not be better being directly at the top of the Spanish Steps.

IMPORTANT: When you arrive with all of your luggage via the Metro, be sure to use the elevator on your left at the end of the Metro stop tunnel to get to the top of the steps. No one mentioned anything about an elevator to us, and I carried our suitcases all the way up the steps in 90 degree heat.

The only downside to the place was the noise. The way that Giancarlo has re-designed the interior of the place does not allow noise to escpae anywhere. Whenever anyone is upstairs in the breakfast area, you feel like they are in your room with you. Every sound is magnified 10 fold. It was a minor inconvenience most of the time except when someone gets up for breakfast much earlier than you do.

All in all, we enjoyed our stay at the All'Obelisco and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great deal in a great location of the city.

Didn't stay as one week before arrival we learned that our 2 confirmed rooms (done 6 mos earlier) were, mistakenly, not entered in the book. The owner, Giancarlo, accepted responsibility, finding us more costly accomodations (confirmed)and bearing the additional cost personally. Although we didn't stay with him, he also made dinner reservations for us. We were not happy about his mistake, but he handled it so graciously that we looked him up once we got to Rome. He greeted us loke we were lost relatives, spending a pleasant 30 minutes with him. His accomodations are good, well located and reasonable. As for Giancarlo, you won't find a better host