This bed and breakfast is located in a historic pink-colored, six-story building and guests enter through a buzzer door at street level, just like living in an apartment building in Rome. A small glass elevator, or a staircase, takes guests to the five rooms above and the entryway to the bed-and-breakfast is elegant, with one bench, a table with magazines, and a collection of abstract wall art. The only other communal space to be had is a tiny kitchen with sink, toaster, coffeemaker, mounted TV, and a table with three chairs. Breakfasts are delivered to the rooms. La Finestra draws mainly European and North American couples, although families and solo travelers stay here on occasion too.

Right in the middle of Rome's historic center, The Colosseum, which is visible from several rooms, is an eight-minute walk from the bed-and-breakfast, as are the Roman Forum and Constantin's Arch. The road adjacent the hotel is fairly busy, and the surrounding area is full of shops, restaurants, and historic sights. The artsy and bohemian Monti neighborhood is a 10-minute walk from the property, as is the Via Cavour shopping mecca, while Termini Train Station will take 20 minutes to reach on foot, or 10 minutes by metro from the Manzoni stop (the A line). The B metro line stops at Colosseo, also under 10 minutes away on foot, and there are bus stops outside the bed-and-breakfast's door. The Spanish Steps are 15 minutes away via metro, and Vatican City is 35 minutes away via bus, or 30 minutes by metro from Manzoni stop. Leonardo da Vinci International Airport can be reached in about 30 minutes by car depending on traffic, or less than an hour by public transit.

La Finestra's five rooms are immaculate, with beautiful, brick vaulted ceilings, light hardwood floors, and narrow, arched doorways. All-white bedding looks smart against vintage-contemporary headboards. Each room is arranged differently, and some have small love seats or ornate, mirrored wardrobes. Rooms are on the lower floor have windows overlooking the inner courtyard, while other rooms might receive a little street noise, but have lovely views of the Colosseum. Rooms are designed for double occupancy, and have orthopedic mattresses, but additional beds can be added. Each room also includes mounted 32-inch flat-screen TVs with USB ports to view photos and videos from a phone or laptop. In-room features also include free Wi-Fi, safes, and air-conditioning. Guests receive a free welcome bottle of wine on arrival -- a particularly nice way to settle in -- and the en-suite bathrooms are enormous, with large glass-enclosed showers, long vanities, tiled floors and walls, and brick ceilings.

Like many small bed-and-breakfasts in Rome, features outside of rooms and breakfast are thin. La Finestra delivers a continental breakfast -- fresh pastries, fruit, and coffee -- to guest rooms every morning and there is a small kitchen with a microwave and coffeemaker on site as well. Paid parking is available at nearby garages, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout. The welcoming and accommodating staff is on-hand to help with tour and restaurant bookings, though the bed-and-breakfast's reception is not staffed around the clock. Free welcome bottles of wine and fruit are also a particularly nice touch.