Palazzo della Cancelleria Apartment: My Little Airbnb in Rome
The Airbnb with a Key the Size of My Hand
The Short Version
A small, beautifully decorated Rome Airbnb with a king-size bed, a lovely book-filled living room, and a host who made my one-night stop easy. I only wish I'd booked more than one night.
Location: Rome, Italy
Sleeps: Up to 4 (I recommend no more than 2)
Layout: Light-filled living room with sofa bed, one bedroom with king bed, and one bathroom.
Perfect for: Solo travelers or couples
Highlights: Central location off of Palazzo della Cancelleria, luxurious linens, original architectural details, and tasteful furnishings.
In the summer of 2025, I found a ridiculously cheap direct flight from Charlotte to Rome for August and booked it without having any idea where I was going. I originally planned a trip to southern Italy, booked Airbnbs and everything, then changed my mind and decided to go to Malta instead. Since I was flying home from Rome anyway, I added one night in the city at the end of my trip.
By the time I landed back in Rome from Malta, I was over taking trains. I’d already done the airport-to-city train during a layover earlier in the trip, and this time I just wanted to get to my Airbnb so I could go enjoy Rome. So I took a taxi straight into town.
My host was kind enough to let me check in a little early. When I arrived, she was still finishing up some laundry, but she welcomed me in and showed me around. Before I could even appreciate the apartment, I was distracted by the keys. There were two of them, and one was nearly as long as the clutch I was carrying. A very Italian key.
Inside My Rome Apartment
The apartment itself was adorable. You walked into a small living area with a little dining table and kitchenette, and a sofa surrounded by a beautiful built-in bookcase filled with books. It wasn't modern or flashy. Everything was just really tasteful, and it felt like a little Roman apartment rather than a generic vacation rental.
Along one wall was a short, open staircase that led up half a level to the bathroom and bedroom. The bathroom was small, with a shower and everything I needed. The bedroom was beautiful, with a king bed, great bedding, and windows that looked down onto a cute little Roman street. I loved the original details and the way she'd decorated the room.
A Summer Storm Rolls In
Of course, I did have plans. I'd been to Rome before, so I wasn't trying to run around checking off the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and every other major sight. I went vintage shopping, got an excellent coffee granita, took my first ride on the back of a Vespa, and then went to Trastevere for dinner. Having somewhere to drop my bags and freshen up as soon as I arrived made that afternoon so much better.
Later that night, a massive thunderstorm rolled through Rome. At some point I woke up to thunder so loud I genuinely thought the building might crumble to the ground. I'm not kidding. I could have sworn we'd been struck by lightning. It was one of the craziest summer storms I can remember, but there was also something kind of peaceful about lying in that comfortable bed, listening to the rain and thunder outside. Eventually, I fell back asleep.
The next morning, I got myself some coffee, packed up, and headed to the airport. And that was it. One night. I loved that little apartment, and I wish I'd gotten to stay there longer.
Book this cute Roman Airbnb here.