The Fado Singer

One glance at the terrace and its panoramic vistas, and you'll understand why this penthouse is a firm favourite. With an alfresco dining table, comfy lounge chairs (including a swing) and city views on offer, it's the go-to spot to soak up the allure of Rome. You'll want to begin every morning out there – sipping espresso, watching as the city comes alive – and end each evening with drinks as the sun goes down over the rooftops. Inside is bright and charming, with more than enough space for groups to sprawl out. There's even a lovely housekeeper who'll see to the cleaning – she's lived here for twenty years and continues to look after the flat, even turning down the beds every day. Parioli is one of the greenest neighbourhoods in the city – though it's not right in the thick of it, there are quiet leafy streets to stroll down and excellent restaurants to slip into along Viale dei Parioli. But when you want to see the sights, just hop on the bus and you can reach the centre in twenty minutes.

Home truths:
*There’s a live-in housekeeper here who lives in her own separate room – she's really lovely and is more than willing to help if you need it, but it's worth knowing that she'll be around
*This is a penthouse apartment that can only be reached by the lift – in case of an emergency, there is a set of stairs that go down to the ground floor, but they can’t be used regularly
*The surrounding area is very green and residential, but it's not especially bustling in its own right
*The third bedroom is noticeably smaller than the other two, and it's accessed directly from the living area – not a big deal but worth pointing out
*Checking in after 8pm will incur an €80 charge
*The Wi-Fi doesn't extend much past the living and dining rooms