I'm heading to Florence in a few weeks and am looking for recommendations for a place to stay (probably 3*) and to eat. I'm open to suggestions, but have read some good things about the Hotel Torre Guelfa (near the Ponte Vecchio) and the Loggiato dei Serviti (on the Piazza SS Annunziata).

Hi Phil, <BR>I stayed in a great hotel in Florence, <BR>It was called Hotel Chiari Bigallo. It was run by husband and wife who don't speak too much english but we seemed to have no problem communicating even when thye were speaking to us in Italian and we were speaking to them in English. <BR>The address is: <BR>Vicolo degli Adimari, 2 <BR>Tel. 055216086 <BR>fax 055214496 <BR> We had room 306 which is the one they use for the brochure. I would recommend that room or any room with windows on the same side as that room. The view is amazing. You are literally acrss the street from the Duomo and the Campanile. So as you can imagine the view from your window is amazing. All the rooms have telephones and their own baths. Breakfast is included in the price, I think the price was somewhere around $60-70/night.(I thinkk, I can't exactly remember but that was about our price range for hotels.) They also have a sister hotel that is called Hotel de Lanzi <BR>Via delle Oche, 11 <BR>tel. 055288043 <BR>fax 0552396377 <BR>This hotel was alittle nicer and more expensive but it had no views. It is right around the corner from the other one. If you have any other questions email me and I will try and answer them. I hope you have a great trip. <BR>

Phil, if you're leaving in a couple of weeks, you should probably reserve NOW. While you ponder your options, places are filling up.

Phil, I've stayed at the Loggiato dei serviti, and also the moranda alla crocetta. I love them both. The LDS, incidentally, was where A Room With a View was actually filmed. That is the hotel I prefer, as it is right on the (carless) piazza annunziata. Search for Loggiato (loggiata?) and you will find my previous description, or email me. But, I agree with the previous poster, that you are going to have a problem finding a good hotel at this point. Good luck.

AJ, I'd read that the hotel where A Room with a View was filmed was no longer open (damaged by a bomb). Did your rooms appear in the film? <BR>I'm so jealous.