Why renting Rome apartments or villas,
and not hotels?
In praise of quality
Naturally apartments or villas are larger, more comfortable
and less expensive than hotels (in fact they should be
compared to hotel *suites* and not to hotel rooms).
Choosing
a vacation rental though draws the line distinguishing
the intangible value of individuality from mass production.
A value requiring human touch, hand - and, yes - soul,
which you rarely find in hotels. As the world re-values
things produced the old, careful way, Europe is still
making them, with craft, and care. Rome set the foundations
of the European culture. The ancient Romans probably made
the only real revolution in housing, and the entire Italian
society is based on the concept of "home". The
word "casa" (home) in Italian has a special
meaning, and is actually the centre of society, of urban
planning (including of the countless churches), and also
of everyday life.
Church view from a window in a top floor apt.
Hotels lack the attractiveness of charming homes in historical
"palazzi". Renting an apartment is something distinctive
in a world of sameness. It is also the most natural way to approach
the remarkably rich Italian culture. People are tired of the
superficial. Besides the countless monuments, masterpieces,
the magical urban layouts and countryside, visitors want to
experience the Italian society, enjoying the uniquely pleasant
atmosphere, and having a taste of the human qualities of the
Italians. In other words, they want to experience the *real*
Italy. How could you do it if you have to unpack, and then pack
after a few days, with a bread-and-butter tourist experience?
This is why we say: "When in Rome (and in Italy), stay
in homes as the Romans do!".
There are also practical reasons:
- staying in a hotel with a family and children? That's pretty
hard with a family to feed. In an apartment or villa naturally
you find a well equipped kitchen to prepare your meals, breakfasts
and snacks. If you are tired and you don't feel like cooking
(you are on holiday, after all...) you can buy take-away food,
and heat it at leisure in your own kitchen, eating with real
dishes and cutlery, and not with plastic ones.
- you are more couples, friends, or relatives together on
holiday? An apartment or villa allows the purpose of travelling
together, which is socializing. Enjoying yourselves in the
comfort of your own sitting room is a completely different
experience than meeting in a hotel lobby.
Spanish Steps Regina: the dining
room
- after a long day of sightseeing or business, you can get
back to your home, and relax while preparing your tea or your
meal, reflecting on the past day and planning the next one
in the comfort of familiar surroundings.
