Please review my Italy hotel choices (map included)

hi, Andrew

I like the way you have put all your info together - it's very organised.

as for the convenience of your choices, the one in Florence looks great - as you probably know, nowhere in Florence is verry far from anywhere else. and we stayed near the station in Venice last year, and found it very convenient, and a very interesting area - try walking along the strada nova early in the morning before everyone is up and about.

I'm not sure about the one in Rome though - I couldn't find where it is. IMO the experience of being in Rome is greatly enhanced by being as close to the action as possible. we stayed in Monti, and lovely though it was, i'd like to be a bit more central next time.

otherwise, i reckon you've done really well.

regards, ann

Both your choices in Rome and Florence are not just "a little" away from the sights, they are quite far, especially the one in Florence. You are going to be spending a lot of time on public transportation. I've never been in the neighborhood your Florence hotel is located but have been in the Rome neighborhood. Portions are working class, nothing fancy. You might find some good, cheap places to eat. But a few streets away could get a little more seedy, especially at night.

The location of the Rome B & B you have chosen really is far out. It is on the metro (line A) so you can get to the Piazza Barberini, Spanish steps, Piazza del Popolo, Vatican easily. I don't have the good bus map I used in Rome with me but looking at the map in my guidebook, the bus routes from Piazza Re de Roma would require at least one change to get you to the Forum/Colosseum area or the Largo Argentina in the central historic district.

Thanks for your feedback everyone. I have tried to weigh location, price, and comfort. Frankly, a lot of these cheap hotels you read about seem to be in busy areas and be prone to noise - something I have had problems with in the past. I don't need to have complete peace and quiet but if I can't sleep much on my vacation it's going to be less fun. Unfortunately, it's hard to know for sure until you get there. And the places that are well reviewed and recommended either fill up fast or are really expensive, for the most part.

I don't mind walking a little and I'm happy using public transportation. The Florence place has two good bus lines running near it to and from the center. The Rome place is close to a Metro stop and not many stops from the Termini.

Hi A,

The B&B Cassia is the second property owned by the Ancillotti family. We stayed with them for 11 nights at the B&B Peterson, and were very, very happy we did.

I haven't stayed at the Cassia, but others have reported that here they were quite pleased.

You will be in a residential neighborhood on a well-lighted street about 10 min walk from the SMN train station.

There are several buses that stop near the B&B.

Enjoy your visit.

Thanks, Ira! I appreciate the vote of confidence for the Cassia/Peterson.

Hi, Andrew--

Looks like your Rome location is within easy walking distance to some kind of a public transporation stop.

I looked at your map, though, and I don't see those stops on my Metro map. You might check with the B&B. These could be local train stops that would allow you to connect with the metro at Termini Station.

I find the Rome metro to be fairly convenient, provided you keep your cash in a secure place and keep your eyes open. You can catch buses at Termini, or if you find that daunting, at Piazza Barberini.

Best of luck, and enjoy your trip!

A less expensive alternative in Venice is Albergo Marin. The most recent review on Trip Advisor is negative but most are positive and I stayed there with my mother and was very satisfied. It seems to have room when others don't (it isn't fancy or well-known.) It is across the bridge from the train station.
http://www.albergomarin.it/