We had booked other lodgings for Rome through vrbo.com. However, the owner sent a driver to fetch us at the airport who did not know where to take us and he spoke no English. After over 20 hours of travel and two hours of driving around Rome, we were in terrible shape and very confused. Fortunately, the driver had a friend who recently opened a new B&B. Maurizio took us in on a moment's notice. We ended up staying the entire week.

La Casa de Maurizio is centrally located, about two blocks from the American Embassy, on what we would call the third floor of a building that apparently mainly contains apartments (with a small elevator). We were able to walk everywhere, although bus and metro stops are quite close. The neighborhood is not a tourist haven. Rather, it is mixed use area, with apartments, shops, restaurants, laundry, post office, etc. all close by -- an area where real families live in Rome.

The rooms have been recently remodeled with top quality, tasteful materials (tile, wallpaper, flat-screen TV, air conditioning, refrigerator, safe, firm mattresses, towels, curtains, quilt). All rooms have en suite bathing and toilet facilities (even a bidet), as well as closet space, drawers, and a table with chairs.

Each room is slightly different in size and appointments. The red room (ours) is largest -- in a corner with ten-foot tall windows on two walls, each with shutters behind the draped curtains and a small balcony. The blue, green, and salmon-colored rooms seemed equally nice. The thorough soundproofing prevented us from hearing other guests' comings and goings.

Each morning either Maurizio himself or a friendly Italian matron prepared a simple hot breakfast (coffee, tea, milk, toast, and fruit) and delivered it to our room. The kitchen at the end of the hall also served as an impromptu meeting place. The entire place is kept spotlessly clean.

Maurizio is warm-hearted and generous, with a young family, and his English is better than he thinks. We would definitely stay there again.