We have our tentative hotels booked for our October Italy trip but would love your comments on any and all of these hotels. Thanks so much!
Albergo La Scalette--Florence
Frances Lodge-Sienna
Albergo California--Positano
Hotel Aberdeen--Rome

I havent stayed in any of these hotels but I say to book soon if you havent confirmed. Hotels are filling up fast.
Have you got your airline tickets?

We just returned from visiting family in Florence. While I have never stayed at a hotel in Florence, I have heard good things about Hotel Dante which is right in the center. We did just return from a hotel stay in Rome. Hotel Abruzzi was fantastic. I just submitted a new review for this hotel. While recently in Positano I noted that it is all beautiful and very expensive. Again, visted friends in Chiavari so did not stay in a hotel.

Thanks for the input-we have them booked and our airline tickets but we can cancel the hotels with notice. We picked the hotel in Sienna (actually on the outskirts) for its location. We'll be in Tuscany for 3 nights and want to be centrally located. Is it?

We stayed at the Hotel Aberdeen in Rome and enjoyed it very much. It is family run, and they do speak English & will cheerfully call for a taxi upon your request. The entrance is on the street of the Rome Opera House, a quieter side street between two main thoroughfares. Our bathroom was sunny, ENORMOUS and everything worked. My favorite of all of the Italian bathrooms we encountered. The room and bathroom were spotless. The room itself was a bit dark & spartan, but had a tiny balcony off the window. While we used the stairs to get to our room, there is an elevator if you need one. Breakfast buffet was good, although we were always to excited to get going to linger.

It is a short taxi ride from the Aberdeen to the Colosseum/Forum area, and to the Spanish Steps, etc. Yes, you CAN walk (about 15-20 minutes?), but with limited time you'd be better off taxiing to another part of town and then walking. That is the only drawback to the Aberdeen...you can't just step out into the Piazza Navona or Pantheone in the evenings. Still, it was pleasant, safe as far as we could tell, air-conditioned, with friendly staff, and central enough a location for our needs. And yes, the price was good. Their rates go down in August.

Thanks elizatrav. I sounded good "on paper" but that confirms it. We got a great rate and it was even better if you mentioned you heard about it from Rick Steves (which they solicited in their email response to my reservation request).

We stayed at the California last summer in Positano and liked it enough to plan on returning there next spring. Our room was very large and pristine with a big bathroom. Everything was done in tile, including a beautifully patterned floor. See if you can get a room on the level above the terrace so you the view from your little balcony; otherwise, you room will open onto the terrace where breakfast is served, but that was nice, too.