Hi,

Could anyone help me decide between the following hotels in florence:

1) Hotel Orcagna - just under 70 euros

or

2) Bed and Breakfast B&B di Piazza del Duomo - 60 euors

Thanks!

I do not have personal experience with either of these. Based totally on location, Hotel Orcagna is outside the tourist center of Florence, while B&B di Piazza del Duomo couldn't be more central. On the other hand, the B&B might be too close to the center of thing for some tastes.

Have you read the reviews of these hotels at www.tripadvisor.com? Might help you decide.

Yes they both have very good reviews. It will be our first trip to florence so I don't know whether or not it is needed to stay central?

Thanks for your help so far!

I think central is important in Florence. We usually stay at the Proconsolo which is right behind the Duomo, and we are never bothered by the noise. You will hear bells, though!

Staying in a central location will likely meet more of your needs. A spot near the Duomo seems to be the better choice.

tC

I agree with others- stay in the central location hotel.

For a first trip I would stay central. On a later trip you will have more a feel for where things are and may decide on another location.

We stayed a little away from central Florence, but honestly it was completely worth it. I was very worried about the distance, but it was about a 10 minute walk to central Florence and I would stay there again in a heartbeat. The owner was SO KIND, welcoming and helpful. It was located near a coop and we got amazing food at crazy low prices to snack on at night. B & B Leopoldo. I recommend it to everyone and was BY FAR the nicest place we stayed at as well as one of the most inexpensive.

The city center can be hectic and claustrophobic, so if you decide to stay in the B&B Pza. del Duomo, do have a back-up plan. Take along the names and numbers of the Orcagna and the Leopoldo. I stayed at Hotel Annalena, near the Palazzo Pitti so I could go for walks outside the city walls (gorgeous) and have 24 hour desk service. I walked there from the train station with my one carry-on bag and enjoyed crossing the river on foot. Because Florence is so compact, in 20 minutes I was checked in. You need to think out carefully what you can and cannot deal with wherever you choose to stay. For example, if there's someone on duty only during the day, will you need keys to enter the building and the B&B as well as a room key? Those doors can have very challenging locks! If you travel light, changing lodgings isn't such a big deal.

I stayed at the Hotel Casci in Florence in 2007. About 3 blocks from the Duomo, nice rooms, wonderful staff.
Check out the reviews on Tripadvisor, that's how i found it.