rebekkah

Not looking for a fancy place to stay in these locations we are traveling 2 nights in Venice, 1 night in Florence, and 4 nights in Rome with a day trip to Tuscany while we are in Rome. We're traveling Sept 21-sept 28 and looking to spend no more then $200/night. Hoping the places we stay in can be fairly close (5-15 minute walks) to city centers/ touristy areas. I even like the idea of perhaps staying in Dorsoduro in Venice. In Rome we want to do a day at the Vatican, a day of Ancient Rome, a day trip to Tuscany, and a free day. In Florence we'd like to see the duomo and walk around.

Flame123

In Florence, I highly recommend Hotel Casci. Although I believe it is rated as a two star, you get 5 star service and loving care from the family that run it. I have been no less than five times and cannot recommend highly enough.

I recently returned from a stay at Hotel Artorius in Rome. It is in the Monti section of Rome, a lovely area not far from the Colloseum. Small lovely hotel, very clean and quiet. My only complaint if that matters to you is that the breakfast was just awful. Not even bad. AWFUL. But if you can get past that, I did, it is highly recommended.

bvlenci

If you want a day trip to rural Tuscany, it would be much better to do it from Florence, which is <i>in</i> Tuscany, rather than from Rome, which would involve a long and boring train or bus ride on each end. However, you're a little short on time in both Florence and Rome, so you might want to consider saving Tuscany for another trip, when you can do it justice. You really can't see much of anything of rural Tuscany on a day trip.

In Italy, you shouldn't consider the number of stars as a mark of overall quality. Stars are awarded according to a checklist of services that includes level of staffing and facilities (elevators, on-site restaurants, business centers, etc.) There's no valuation of overall quality. There are many charming small hotels that can't afford to keep the front desk staffed 24 hours a day, for example, which means they can't have three stars.

I rely on the guest ratings and reviews on sites such as www.booking.com and www.venere.com to find hotels in Italy. You can select the neighborhood you want, and then sort the list by price or by guest rating. On Booking.com you can also specify your destination as, for example, "Rome city centre" instead of just "Rome", or instead of selecting a specific neighborhood.

Keren

I stayed at Alla Vite Dorata in 2010 and thought it wonderful It is in Cannaregio, a wonderful residential area, about a 15-20 min. walk to San Marco. But you could always use a vaporetto to move around, it's so easy. The B&B is in your price range.
http://www.allavitedorata.com/

Keren

In Rome, I stayed in Hotel Artorius for 7 nights on 2 different occasions, also in 2010. Once again, a very good experience. This one is also within your price range.
http://www.hotelartoriusrome.com/

bobthenavigator

Here are some Florence options:

BOB’S FAVORITE HOTELS IN FLORENCE---2014

SMALL B&Bs Prices from 140 to 200E for a double room
• http://www.touristhouseghiberti.com/ Nice B&B near Duomo

• www.ilvillino.it Nice people and good value

• www.ladimoradegliangeli.com Lovely B&B—great location

• www.residenzailcarmine.com/ Well priced apartments


MID –RANGE HOTELS: Prices from 150 to 300E by season

* www.hoteldavanzati.it Great location and amenities

* www.hotelcasci.com Good family hotel in centro location

* www.hotelsilla.it Across the river with less noise & people

* www.ilguelfobianco.it Hard to beat for location and service

* www.hotelburchianti.it/english/ Great location---historic hotel

BETTER 4 STAR HOTELS: Prices from 250 to 350E by season

• www.hotel-pierre-florence.com Very central elegant hotel

• www.monnalisa.it An elegant historical palace—Santa Croce



BUDGET HOTELS---BEST VALUE: Priced from 90 to 120E for double

* www.hotelfiorita.com/en/home.html Great value near station

* www.hotelnizza.com/en/ Also near station---basic but nice

HappyTrvlr

As suggested above, do Tuscan day trips from Florence which is in Tuscany. Add a day or two to Florence to do this.

rebekkah

I would agree about Tuscany, however we found this tour https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-to...rips-from-rome
and it has a lot of great reviews and I have even read someone's personal blog about and it sounded great.

Thank you for all of the other suggestions so far!

rebekkah

Still looking for a good Venice recommendation. We booked Hotel Casci in Florence, and Hotel Navona in Rome.

bobthenavigator

The Tuscany tour will mean 6 hours in a bus that day---not my cup of tea. Consider a train to Orvieto for a day.

In Venice, consider La Calcina.

Saraho

bookmarking

Iahawk

Check venere.com for venice hotel options. I have had good luck there, reliable user ratings, etc

Pepper_von_snoot

Venice-Dorsoduro, American Dinesen Hotel. 3-star near Accademia Bridge.


Thin

Ozgirl07

Hi Rebekkah, I stayed at the Residenza della Signoria in Florence last year and highly recommend it. Great location and service. Very nice big rooms. Bonus was the fabulous café next door and the gelataria downstaris.
http://www.residenzadellasignoria.com/
I can also recommend Albergo Cesari in Rome. http://www.albergocesari.it/en/default.html Might be a bit pricey but you cant beat the location.
I did a Tuscany day tour from Rome which I really enjoyed. http://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/Tus...11-3731TUSCANY
You can read about my day http://redsuitcasetravel.blogspot.co...from-rome.html

Bob is right, it was a very long day but enjoyable just the same. And I have no regrets. Next time I will take the train to Orvieto