Residence di Ripetta
With 69 chic rooms, this former convent and girls' residence shows no signs of its 19th century austerity. Lightly hued, high ceilings and brilliantly illuminated, guests bask in a quaintness that is only augmented by the ever-so-cute retractable kitchens in the junior suites. Short or long-term guests share the residence's internal courtyard and rooftop terrace – welcome sanctuaries in the busy Tridente area, west of via del Corso and below Piazza del Popolo.
• Via di Ripetta 231, +39 06 323 1144, ripetta.it. Doubles from €195
Crossing Condotti
If the very busy heart of Rome is where you want to be, then any one of the five tastefully designed rooms at Crossing Condotti will be the perfect escape from the chaos of Rome's favourite shopping area. Designed in classic chic with every modern amenity included, Crossing Condotti is more "boutique" than the luxury shops at its feet and far more comfortable. Though it's a nice hideaway, pets are not part of the picture, and neither are kitchens.
• Via Mario dei Fiori 28, +39 06 699 20633, crossingcondotti.com. Doubles from €180
Rome Luxury Suites
Fancy a hideaway around the corner from Gregory Peck's Roman Holiday apartment? Margutta 54 is one of the divine serviced apartments by boutique hotelier Alberto Moncado (Babuino 181). Like its sister suites, Mario de' Fiori 37 (near Piazza di Spagna), Margutta 54 is decorated in high modern style and has all the amenities of Babuino 181, including 24-hour concierge, tea and coffee-making facilities, but no kitchen.
• Via Margutta 54 and Via Mario de' Fiori 37, +39 06 699 40201, romeluxurysuites.com. Apartments from €250
Cross Pollinate
With luxury residences seemingly dominating the serviced apartment scene, Cross Pollinate is the summer sleeper and economic foil. A network of vacation rentals and self-catering apartments across the Eternal City, guests have their pick of location, amenities and apartment configuration. For example, Casa Alice (sleeps four people, €160 a night) is in the very centre of Rome, literally up the street from the Pantheon and nestled off the Via del Corso. It provides everything a family of four could want in Rome – private balconies, rooftop views and neighbourhood ambience. Affordable chic with a smattering of eco-cool is Cross Pollinate's vibe, so expect to clean up after yourself.
• Casa Alice, off Via Degli Uffici dei Vicario, Cross-pollinate.com. Sleeps four, from €160
Leisure in Rome
The slick, older cousin of Cross Pollinate, an apartment service for short- and long-term rentals, Leisure in Rome covers every nook and cranny in the historic centre and Vatican neighbourhoods, and offers every option desired such as lifts, terraces, bathtubs and air conditioning. For example, Casa Giulia, on a side street just off the Via Giulia (which means quiet and calm) is a retro-fitted mod apartment in a 16th-century palazzo. Leisure in Rome is the best option if you want to feel and live like a local.
• Casa Giulia, Vicolo delle Palle, +39 06 683 00335, leisureinrome.com. Sleeps four, €250 a night
Palazzo al Velabro
Housing 35 apartments, the Palazzo al Velabro is a better kept secret than the neighbouring Bocca della Verita (Mouth of Truth). The 17th-century palazzo is nestled in the Roman Forum valley between the historic Capitoline and Palatine hills and has been converted into posh apartments complete with kitchenettes, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and all the other conveniences that most Roman apartments do not have. Consider taking a permanent Rome vacation.
• Via del Velabro 16, +39 06 679 2758, velabro.it. Apartments from €200
Aldrovandi Residence
For those in need of some downtime, whether to enjoy the quiet of Villa Borghese neighbourhood or the shade by the Aldrovandi's pool? Aldrovandi's simple grandeur and classic turn-of-the-century style is complete zen for the overloaded traveller. Apartments are short- and long-term, for single and double use, and many have kitchenettes. It's the better-than-your-home away from home.
• Via Ulisse Aldrovandi 11, +39 06 322 1430, aldrovandiresidence.it. Doubles from €130
Elite Apartments
Hotel Mozart's solution for the travelling family who need a bit of away time together are its three suites whose style harks back to your Nonna's Rome – understated elegance. Aside from the multi-living configurations, each suite is outfitted with fully-equipped kitchen, mobile phone, Wi-Fi (and sometimes laptop) and is complemented by use of Hotel Mozart's concierge services. The location is unbeatable – around the corner from Piazza di Spagna.
• Via dei Greci 23b, +39 06 360 01915, eliteapartments.it. Apartments from €210
Palazzo Manfredi
It may be more noted for the recent overhaul of its former incarnation Hotel Gladiatori, whose terrace view of the Colosseum is a knockout, but what packs a more potent punch are the hotel's five luxury apartments in the very sociable Monti quarter. Each its own Fabergé egg of residential living, from the "tiny" Serpenti loft or big brother Serpenti penthouse, the apartments are lavishly decorated, some offering unforgettable views and all with kitchen or kitchenette and the Palazzo Manfredi's 24-hour concierge service.
• Via Labicana 125, +39 06 775 91380, palazzomanfredi.com. Apartments from €450
Casa Manni
The crème de la crème of all serviced apartments. A one-bed room penthouse apartment designed by Adam Tihany, noted hotel and restaurant designer whose latest coup d'etat is Bar Boulud. Casa Manni is sleek, ultra-modern and completely bespoke from its interior design to the 24-hour "little black book" concierge service, where whatever you want comes whenever you want.
• Via di Pietra 70, +39 06 972 74787, casamanni.com. Double €550
• Erica Firpo lives in Rome and writes for Fodor's and Luxe Guides. She authored Insight Guide's Rome Select
