Is this really the same place as mentioned on Trip Advisor ... blimey.

see link

rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187791-d632059-r7338611-Dimora_Storica_Urbana_Roma-Rome_Lazio.html

Yeah, it is but really I think the person who had that experience was looking for something completely different. I'll try to explain, this place is in a historic block, where the streets are narrow, and this is something you may not like, but that is how Italy is.

Is pretty easy that if you look out the window you'll see people on the other side of the street having breakfast. That is absolutely normal. If you want to stay in a real Italian place, then you'll like it, if you want to pretend to be in Italy, but still be in a large room, with a great free view then probably you have to choose a different place, one that's more, how can I say, touristic?
also find this place discounted here www.roomsaccomodation.com