bluedogranch

HEY Voyagers,

Any thoughts abot the Hotel Casci in FLorence?? I've heard + and -, need tiebreaker.

Thanks,

Annie

MFNYC

It's been a few years but I thought it was great value. It's clean and quiet. Our room (a quad) was a decent size. The room decor is generic, but what makes this hotel special is the warmth of the people who run it. Even for a short stay, they make you feel at home.

Do a search on the name here for lots of comments and check tripadvisor for comments as well.

Catbert

I will add that what makes the Casci great (in addition to the Lombardi family) is the location. It's right between the Accademia and the Duomo.

kslanker

Four of us just spent 10 days at the Hotel Casci. It is a great place; run by the Lombardi family who treat you like family. The breakfast is very good, even hard/soft boiled eggs!

They will help you with any area travel arrangements, dinner reservations and suggestions. There are many very good ristorantes, trattorias within 3 or 4 blocks. San Lorenzo is almost around the corner.

There is an elevator to help those who want or need it. The rooms are spotless. They have an internet PC in the lobby for emails, etc. You can walk to the train station in about 10/15 minutes if you want to take side trips.

I can't say enough good about our stay at the Casci. What really tops the hotel off is location and the Lombardi family.

fishee

Hotel Europa is described in very similar terms as Casci -- family run, very warm, great location -- and is having a special of 70 euro/night (double room) on their website. They have a high travelocity ranking and were recommended by the NY Times budget traveler --I'm trying it out next week. I was looking at the Casci but at the time it looked more expensive than what it was worth. I think these hotels are next to each other on the same street.

Flame123

I have been to the Casci hotel three years ago with my family of 4 in a beautiful large quad room which was just perfect. We loved it so much that I am going back in one month's time with my mother and sister for a week. We have booked a double and single room this time. I am looking forward to it. The hotel is in an excellent location and the Lombardi family who run it are lovely and very accomodating. Very highly recommended.

dina4

We also stayed in the quad room in June 2004 for 225Euro. There is nothing luxurious or charming about the room. It was very clean and functional, but extremely basic. The location was excellent, and the people were warm and friendly.
Hope that helps.
Have a great trip!
Dina

ldb61

Enjoyed Hotel Casci family room (quad) for 3 nights in June 2005. Highly suggest the location as it seemed a little less touristy, so close to the sights but not directly on their street. I definitely agree with MFNYC describing the decor as generic, somewhat dorm like but well maintained and extremely clean! The small refrigerator in the room was a great help for the hot June weather. The service and pleasant attitude of the staff was outstanding.

verona

Am considering staying here in May. Can someone tell me if there is air conditioning available?

Thanks

ldb61

verona, Yes Casci has air conditioning. It worked very well and we definitely need ed AC in June.

mari5

It appears that the hotel Casci in Florence is a real jewel. Our son and daughter in law stayed there a couple of nights on their Italian honeymoon, but 3 years ago. Apparently the location is superb and the family who owns it is very gracious and helpful.
-Someone on Fodors a few days ago was asking for a small , interesting hotel in Florence that has internet in the lobby. This would be perfect for him,possibly, as I know they have the lobby computer.

JeanneB

Tishee:
Please let us know how you liked the Europa. It's been on my list for some time and now I'm considering going back in the fall.
J

fishee

Hotel Europa was very much a budget hotel for our 70 euro/night as we should have expected. We received a quad for two people so the basic room was very large but the bathroom was tiny with no separate shower stall (just a curtain in the corner) so everything was soaked when we took a shower. We walked across to Casci one night when the buzzer to Europa didn't seem to be working and I must say that hotel looks nicer -- if there's only a differnce of 10 euro/night I'd take it. (Casci had a quaint little bar area where people were relaxing at around 1 am.) Expedia had a deal at Corona D Italia and the Orto de Medici for the same price as Europa and I regret not choosing these options. They looked liked much nicer hotels for the price. hope this helps!

fishee

One extra tip about Hotel Europa -- they have a room with a really large, cute terrace that would have definitely made the 80 E/night a steal. If you can book this room (I should have grabbed the chance when they offered through email) I'd definitely go for it.

francophile03

I checked the Europa's site. They do have view rooms and the rates are very reasonable for Florence. I guess the view rooms are the best ones as usual.

There are some nice, inexpensive hotels and B & B's in Florence. You just have to do a little research and a good place to check is Trip Advisor.