lmont

Looking for budget stay ideas for Venice, Southern Tuscany, Rome and Sorrento . My husband and I will be traveling end of May. I have a general list of hotels and want to explore further to see if there are any ways to potentially decrease the overall budget. We've been looking at mostly hotels within the $200 USD / night range , but would like to see what's available at a lower rate.

I looked at monasterystays . Is there another site that does not involve a booking agency ( and potentially there % fee increase) ?

Any reliable B & B sites to explore ? We are fine with B&B's as long as there is an ensuite bathroom and a friendly, helpful host.

lmont

oops "their" , not "there" - what I get for not previewing

StCirq

Look up Bed and Blessings.

jamikins

Also check out www.eurocheapo.com

lmont

Thanks, will do - any personal recommendations in the areas ?

StCirq

And this:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/10/11...HotelsOne.html

isabel

I consider myself a 'moderate', not really budget traveler and I never spend $200 a night. Here's a link to my trip report to Sorrento and Rome, I list the hotels I stayed at and their contact info in the report. Just a few minutes ago someone asked about the one in Sorrento - Ulisse Delulxe Hostel (it's not a 'hostel', it's a hotel). It was 69€ in July 2010. Hotel Julia is the one we stayed at in Rome (I also stayed there in November) and while it's prices fluctuate it's not $200.

There are tons of places in Tuscany in the 100€ range, and even less. TripAdvisor and Venere.com are the two places I start looking on. Venice will be a little harder.

lmont

Thanks Isabel - loving the trip report . I had also posted the Ulisse question - liked the reviews and wanted to see if it really fit the positive ratings it has received. From your report, it looks like a great option. Current rates are 70 so price has remained consistent. Btw - your pictures are awe inspiring !!

Will check out Hotel Julia - what area of city is it in ? Trying to check out B&B's that are centrally located.

isabel

Loved the location of Hotel Julia - it's about five minutes walk from Trevi Fountain. Two blocks from Piazza Barbarini where there is a metro stop, and even walking distance from the train station (although I now take the metro after walking it with suitcases a few times and decided the metro was worth it). We walked pretty much everywhere in Rome. Hotel Julia's website says it's on a 'quiet street' and it really is, very central but the street itself quite calm.

kybourbon

>>>I looked at monasterystays . Is there another site that does not involve a booking agency ( and potentially there % fee increase) ? <<<

I'm not sure how much monasterystays marks up doubles, but it marks up singles 10-15€ per night. It's cheapest to book directly with the convent/monastery. If you narrow your focus a bit more (location and amenities) I can give you contact info for many, but there are over 200 convents in Rome so it helps to know which amenities you need.

Siena convent/hotel with AC is Alma Domus (75€ for a double).
http://www.hotelalmadomus.it/

Convent in Orvieto. Expect to pay about 75€ for a double in high season.
http://www.monasterosanlodovico.it/

A B&B site I like to use give you the direct contact info to the B&B (either website or e-mail/phone).

http://www.bed-and-breakfast-in-italy.com/

In Pienza, I've stayed in an apartment at Il Giardino Segreto. I paid 45€ a night for their smallest apartment several years ago in high season.

http://www.ilgiardinosegretopienza.it/

Will you have a car for Tuscany? There are lots of agriturismos that are low budget in southern Tuscany. I stayed at this one two years ago just outside of Pienza (pool, fan, but no AC). I think I paid 65€ a night for a double in high season.
http://www.agriturismobonellinovecch...farmhouse.html

For Pienza area, the website portalepienza.it links you directly to the owners. They've recently tweaked their website which makes it difficult to see the list of selections on the left side (top in Italian, bottom English).
http://www.portalepienza.it/

For Montalcino.
http://www.prolocomontalcino.it/

For Montepulciano.
http://www.prolocomontepulciano.it/

zoecat

For southern Tuscany, I always stay here and will continue to return each year-

http://www.fontebertusi.it/eng/

It's located just 2-3 km outside of Pienza and the views and surroundings are beautiful. Sunsets from the terrace are spectacular. Breakfast in the breakfast room (with a view) is very well done. Each apartment has a patio and kitchen. The location is very central for exploring the area and May is the perfect time to be there. The hosts are very helpful.

Dee_Dee

Bookmarking for great info on reasonable accommodations. Thanks to all the posters!

StCirq

Forgot to mention that I stayed here twice, for a total of 6+ weeks:

http://www.vacanzeideali.it/

It's a bunch of little apartments just outside Paciano in Umbria, but southern Tuscany isn't far away at all. Our apartment (for two) had a loft and a balcony and was only 350 euro a week (but I may have gotten a break as an acquaintance of mine was a friend of the owner). The apartment was very well equipped, the pools were wonderful, the views were great, and the owners, who live across the street in a big old house, were very accessible and helpful (not sure they spoke English, though). In addition to the pools, there was a small exercise room with some equipment, and a party room. It definitely has a communal feel to it, so not the place to go if you want solitude, but it suited me perfectly.

Henry

lmont,
For souhern tuscany you can try La Crociona http://www.lacrociona.com/
Apartments under $100
For places to see http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/hs_planning.htm