Florence Hotels
Oct 3rd, 2017, 10:14 AM
#1
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Florence Hotels
Hi all!
My husband and I head to Italy in mid-November and I am trying to nail down our hotel. We will be in Florence for 4 nights, with a day trip to surrounding areas planned for one day. My husband has never been out of the country and I have only been to Italy once, years ago. That said, we are looking for advice on hotels in Florence. We have looked into an AirBnB near the train station (for some reason, I am not leaning toward this), Orto dei Medici, and Hotel Silla (across the Arno).
Has anyone stayed in these places before? Is being across the Arno too far? Does anyone have any other suggestions of places they loved? We are trying to stick to $100 USD per night or less, which seems low but has actually proven quite doable in the off season. We would love to be in the center of the action, walking distance to most things. We don't need 5 star services, just clean, cute, good service, good location, and within our budget. I have spent hours researching various hotels (Pendini, Porta Faenza, Hotel La Scaletta), but not knowing the city very well and having SO many options has been overwhelming.
Any advice on places mentioned above or others you like would be much appreciated! Thanks a bunch!
My husband and I head to Italy in mid-November and I am trying to nail down our hotel. We will be in Florence for 4 nights, with a day trip to surrounding areas planned for one day. My husband has never been out of the country and I have only been to Italy once, years ago. That said, we are looking for advice on hotels in Florence. We have looked into an AirBnB near the train station (for some reason, I am not leaning toward this), Orto dei Medici, and Hotel Silla (across the Arno).
Has anyone stayed in these places before? Is being across the Arno too far? Does anyone have any other suggestions of places they loved? We are trying to stick to $100 USD per night or less, which seems low but has actually proven quite doable in the off season. We would love to be in the center of the action, walking distance to most things. We don't need 5 star services, just clean, cute, good service, good location, and within our budget. I have spent hours researching various hotels (Pendini, Porta Faenza, Hotel La Scaletta), but not knowing the city very well and having SO many options has been overwhelming.
Any advice on places mentioned above or others you like would be much appreciated! Thanks a bunch!
Oct 3rd, 2017, 10:27 AM
#2
I stayed at Alloro B&B a few years ago which is between the train station and Duomo so easily walkable to everything. It might be in your budget. It's a floor of a building with interior courtyard. My room was quiet with mini-fridge and electric kettle plus some in room snacks. They had breakfast as part of the room rate(I didn't eat it so don't know if it was good) and also some fruit and snacks out in a central area during the day (don't know if that's still the case).
http://www.allorobb.it/
Lately, I stay in the Oltrarno in an apartment (also in your budget), but I don't think I would suggest it for a first timer. It's a bit of a walk to things (about 15-20 minutes).
http://www.allorobb.it/
Lately, I stay in the Oltrarno in an apartment (also in your budget), but I don't think I would suggest it for a first timer. It's a bit of a walk to things (about 15-20 minutes).
Oct 3rd, 2017, 10:35 AM
#3
FWIW - I've had friends stay at Hotel Silla about ten years ago. It was part of a tour they booked so they didn't choose it. They liked it fine, but then that was their first time to Florence (only a day or two). I don't think they had to navigate on their own since they were a tour group. It's closer to S. Croce, but a bit of a trek to most other things. There are local buses you can use though.
Oct 3rd, 2017, 10:49 AM
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I wouldn't want to stay near the train station. Nor right near the Duomo. After battling the crowds during two trips in 2016 (May and September), we've decided that we definitely want to stay on the other side of the Arno.
My friends and I are heading to Florence for five days in early November are booked into superior rooms here: http://www.palazzoguadagni.com/ Clean, comfortable, highly rated and under 100 euros per night, including breakfast.
My friends and I are heading to Florence for five days in early November are booked into superior rooms here: http://www.palazzoguadagni.com/ Clean, comfortable, highly rated and under 100 euros per night, including breakfast.
Oct 3rd, 2017, 01:05 PM
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We've stayed in several areas of Florence and last time chose Tourist House Ghiberti, which was recommended here.
It's close enough to the center and on a local bus line. We had a large room with a tiny balcony but loved the computer and reading lights. The proprietor is a very quiet man and might not be as full of help as some first timers might like.
The Hotel Pendini is well located and the staff is very helpful. I like the location. I don't remember loving our room, but I did love the location.
It's close enough to the center and on a local bus line. We had a large room with a tiny balcony but loved the computer and reading lights. The proprietor is a very quiet man and might not be as full of help as some first timers might like.
The Hotel Pendini is well located and the staff is very helpful. I like the location. I don't remember loving our room, but I did love the location.
Oct 3rd, 2017, 01:26 PM
#6
>>>I wouldn't want to stay near the train station. Nor right near the Duomo.<<<
I'm not sure if you are referring to the Alloro, but it's really not that close to the train stations (blocks away) or the Duomo (it's closer to Basilica San Lorenzo).
http://www.allorobb.it/where-we-are/
Weisser Tee - Your hotel looks good, but for a first timer with only 4 nights (which means 3 sightseeing days) and one of those used for day trips, it might be a bit much walking (assuming they are need to get to the train or bus station for their day trip). I stayed in Florence for 5 days last trip and had quite a bit of rain.
Wanderlust - The historical center is pretty much pedestrian only areas (some cars/taxis allowed on some streets, not much) so if you stay within that center, you will find everything close. It's about a 20 minute walk side-to-side of the pedestrian area. One edge is the Arno/Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo at the far side, S Croce at the far end and Piazza Santa Maria Novella on the edge towards the train station.
Orto dei Medici is too far IMO.
Hotel La Scaletta is not that far (a few minutes walk to Ponte Vecchio), but that street can be a busier area (it was pretty busy last Sept. when I was there) . Perhaps not in off season though.
Porta Faenza too near the train station so further from center.
Pendini is smack in the center so would be convenient, but a busy area although not be so much in the off season.
In winter, when it's dark early and weather might be an issue (cold wind, rain) I would go for good location. Perhaps I'm prejudiced though since I had several days of rain last trip (although it was quite warm and early Sept so not dark as early).
Of course, you could always taxi to and from hotels.
I think the buses that skirt the historic center are C (there are several different C's) and D (goes across the Arno).
I'm not sure if you are referring to the Alloro, but it's really not that close to the train stations (blocks away) or the Duomo (it's closer to Basilica San Lorenzo).
http://www.allorobb.it/where-we-are/
Weisser Tee - Your hotel looks good, but for a first timer with only 4 nights (which means 3 sightseeing days) and one of those used for day trips, it might be a bit much walking (assuming they are need to get to the train or bus station for their day trip). I stayed in Florence for 5 days last trip and had quite a bit of rain.
Wanderlust - The historical center is pretty much pedestrian only areas (some cars/taxis allowed on some streets, not much) so if you stay within that center, you will find everything close. It's about a 20 minute walk side-to-side of the pedestrian area. One edge is the Arno/Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo at the far side, S Croce at the far end and Piazza Santa Maria Novella on the edge towards the train station.
Orto dei Medici is too far IMO.
Hotel La Scaletta is not that far (a few minutes walk to Ponte Vecchio), but that street can be a busier area (it was pretty busy last Sept. when I was there) . Perhaps not in off season though.
Porta Faenza too near the train station so further from center.
Pendini is smack in the center so would be convenient, but a busy area although not be so much in the off season.
In winter, when it's dark early and weather might be an issue (cold wind, rain) I would go for good location. Perhaps I'm prejudiced though since I had several days of rain last trip (although it was quite warm and early Sept so not dark as early).
Of course, you could always taxi to and from hotels.
I think the buses that skirt the historic center are C (there are several different C's) and D (goes across the Arno).
Oct 4th, 2017, 06:07 AM
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I've stayed at Hotel Alessandra and Hotel Hermitage, depending on which has availability. In Nov, you may be able to find something in your budget at either. I like to be closer to the Arno because I love exploring the Oltrano neighborhood. Ponte Vecchio is about center for me.
Oct 4th, 2017, 07:06 AM
#10
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I suggest the the Badia Fiorentina B&B on Via Dante Alghieri, we stayed at their Dante apartment right next door to the B&B. Bruno was an extremely welcoming host and the place is right in the center of the city, about 5-7 minutes from the Duomo and we walked everywhere. I looked online for dates in November and the price if about $84, including continental breakfast. You also get a 10% discount for booking on their website.
The place is nothing fancy but its spotlessly clean, also just one flight of stairs to navigate! We stayed at the apartment which sleeps 3, there's a large living area with kitchenette and pull out bed, plus a bed room with two beds. There's a small grocery store next door and we did cook a couple of meals at home, also breakfast. I wouldn't be able to tell you about the rooms at the B&B but it's been very well reviewed, you may want to check it out.
http://www.badiafiorentina.com/en/index.php
The place is nothing fancy but its spotlessly clean, also just one flight of stairs to navigate! We stayed at the apartment which sleeps 3, there's a large living area with kitchenette and pull out bed, plus a bed room with two beds. There's a small grocery store next door and we did cook a couple of meals at home, also breakfast. I wouldn't be able to tell you about the rooms at the B&B but it's been very well reviewed, you may want to check it out.
http://www.badiafiorentina.com/en/index.php
Oct 4th, 2017, 07:30 AM
#11
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I don't post much but I did want to recommend Hotel Casci where we stayed 3 years ago for two nights. It was a great find and we were located well enough to be able to walk everywhere. Florence is small.
Clean, basic, great breakfast and friendly staff with an unbelievable price. We stayed in early May 3 years ago and it was perfectly located.
There is a restaurant next door called The Deck where we had lunch in the garden behind the restaurant.
http://www.hotelcasci.com
Clean, basic, great breakfast and friendly staff with an unbelievable price. We stayed in early May 3 years ago and it was perfectly located.
There is a restaurant next door called The Deck where we had lunch in the garden behind the restaurant.
http://www.hotelcasci.com
Oct 4th, 2017, 08:51 AM
#12
My daughter and I liked this little hotel. Owned by two sisters, whose family has owned the building for generations:
Relais Cavalcanti Guest House - Via Pellicceria 2 - Firenze - Italia
Telefono: 0039 055 210962 Fax: 0039 055 2675211 Cell: 333 3901539 Email:[email protected]
Cavalcanti Sas di F.Biliotti & C. - P.IVA 02324340484
Relais Cavalcanti Guest House - Via Pellicceria 2 - Firenze - Italia
Telefono: 0039 055 210962 Fax: 0039 055 2675211 Cell: 333 3901539 Email:[email protected]
Cavalcanti Sas di F.Biliotti & C. - P.IVA 02324340484
