Bed & Breakfast NinnaNanna in Florence - any comments on this budget option?
Jul 11th, 2005, 02:49 PM
#21
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Quoting from Huitres on WillTravel's trip report:
"You beat me out with your 43 euros/night place in Firenze. However, my lodging choice comes in at a close 2nd! In Firenze, I have stayed at the Soggiorno Bavaria, Via Borgo degli Albizi, 26 (Tel/Fax: 011 +39 055 23 40 313 E-Mail: [email protected]) The hotel is located in the former 16th Century palace "Montalvo Ramirez" and is in the historic city centre, close to the Cathedral square (Duomo), Dante's House, and the Piazza della Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizzi). Being that it used to be a former palace, the rooms are huge with very high ceilings and frescoe-decorated walls with double-casement/wooden shutter windows that open onto a large, inside courtyard/garden. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The single and double rooms with bathrooms range from 50 euros (low season) to 98 euros (high season) and they accept all credit cards (V/MC/AMEX). I have always enjoyed staying there when in Firenze."
Bavaria doesn't have reviews on tripadvisor. It's on Venere. It gets a nod in TimeOut. I see that I can book a double for 85 euros (I think) ext. bath (what does this mean, by the way)? I think it means no bath? It comes with a private shower.
Haven't looked at the others more closely yet.
Maybe I'll take a look at Venice hotels first since they may be booked because of the film festival. Florence is looking ok at the moment.
I'll report back when I'm done.
"You beat me out with your 43 euros/night place in Firenze. However, my lodging choice comes in at a close 2nd! In Firenze, I have stayed at the Soggiorno Bavaria, Via Borgo degli Albizi, 26 (Tel/Fax: 011 +39 055 23 40 313 E-Mail: [email protected]) The hotel is located in the former 16th Century palace "Montalvo Ramirez" and is in the historic city centre, close to the Cathedral square (Duomo), Dante's House, and the Piazza della Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizzi). Being that it used to be a former palace, the rooms are huge with very high ceilings and frescoe-decorated walls with double-casement/wooden shutter windows that open onto a large, inside courtyard/garden. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The single and double rooms with bathrooms range from 50 euros (low season) to 98 euros (high season) and they accept all credit cards (V/MC/AMEX). I have always enjoyed staying there when in Firenze."
Bavaria doesn't have reviews on tripadvisor. It's on Venere. It gets a nod in TimeOut. I see that I can book a double for 85 euros (I think) ext. bath (what does this mean, by the way)? I think it means no bath? It comes with a private shower.
Haven't looked at the others more closely yet.
Maybe I'll take a look at Venice hotels first since they may be booked because of the film festival. Florence is looking ok at the moment.
I'll report back when I'm done.
Jul 11th, 2005, 02:54 PM
#23
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An external private bathroom means you have to leave your room to get to it. It should be under lock and key so no one else uses it (but some establishments falter on this point).
Jul 11th, 2005, 02:55 PM
#24
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Bavaria does have reviews on TripAdvisor:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e_Tuscany.html
The hotel web site is here:
http://www.hotelbavariafirenze.it/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e_Tuscany.html
The hotel web site is here:
http://www.hotelbavariafirenze.it/
Jul 11th, 2005, 02:55 PM
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Peterson is NW of the train station. Any attractions there? Location doesn't seem ideal but 62 euros for a double. About the same as Gould. And Gould's location isn't ideal either, I guess.
Bavaria's location seems a little better, but it's pricier.
TimeOut also recommends Scoti, also pricier, but also better location. Good reviews on TripAdvisor.
Anyway, I'll come back to this.
Bavaria's location seems a little better, but it's pricier.
TimeOut also recommends Scoti, also pricier, but also better location. Good reviews on TripAdvisor.
Anyway, I'll come back to this.
Jul 11th, 2005, 02:59 PM
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I recall another poster, Sarah perhaps, who loved the Hotel Dali:
www.hoteldali.com/
www.hoteldali.com/
Jul 11th, 2005, 03:00 PM
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Great, will check it, and thanks for the comment on Bavaria. I really don't need a bath as long as I get a private shower.
In the meantime, typed Scoti into the search box here and some old positive reviews came up.
By the way, when I was in Florence I stayed in Pendini. Out of the budget range considered here. Bad reviews on Tripadvisor but Frommer's gives 2*.
It's interesting how much smarter I've gotten in a couple of years -- but I think it's just having the net as a research tool.
In the meantime, typed Scoti into the search box here and some old positive reviews came up.
By the way, when I was in Florence I stayed in Pendini. Out of the budget range considered here. Bad reviews on Tripadvisor but Frommer's gives 2*.
It's interesting how much smarter I've gotten in a couple of years -- but I think it's just having the net as a research tool.
Jul 15th, 2005, 02:23 PM
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By the way, WillTravel, why did you pass on NinnaNanna? Just asking out of curiosity.
I'm looking at Florence hotels again, and it looks like Florence should be easier than Venice.
Bavaria shows availability on Venere (at the moment).
And I've topped a thread on Hotel Dali.
I've not contacted any hotels yet but I hope to finish this with a few phone calls on Monday or Tuesday.
Thanks again.
I'm looking at Florence hotels again, and it looks like Florence should be easier than Venice.
Bavaria shows availability on Venere (at the moment).
And I've topped a thread on Hotel Dali.
I've not contacted any hotels yet but I hope to finish this with a few phone calls on Monday or Tuesday.
Thanks again.
Jul 15th, 2005, 02:29 PM
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111op: This is really not the right place to say this, but if you are into Pre- and Early Renaissance on this trip, do not miss the Museo San Marco with Fra Angelico's fresoces (including the Annunciation with the angel that has multicoloured wings; reproduced thousands of times). Some of the smaller frescoes in the individual cells are more modest but also more moving.
Jul 15th, 2005, 02:35 PM
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Yes, Eloise, it's on the list. In fact, all the usual suspects are on the list, I think -- I've even put David on the list (initially thinking that I don't have to see it again) -- as San Marco is close to Accademia.
But I'm having a lot of doubts as to what I'll get accomplished in Florence (especially if I go to Siena for two hours).
We'll see how things go.
Also San Marco is supposedly a museum that closes at 1:50. It'll be too late for me on the Friday I get in. However, the museum is supposed to be open in the afternoon on Saturday. However, I understand it's Italy.... And with Siena and Bargello scheduled in the morning, I see a small problem.
But I've become very good at the seven-minute Louvre sort of thing, as you know, Eloise.
But I'm having a lot of doubts as to what I'll get accomplished in Florence (especially if I go to Siena for two hours).
We'll see how things go.
Also San Marco is supposedly a museum that closes at 1:50. It'll be too late for me on the Friday I get in. However, the museum is supposed to be open in the afternoon on Saturday. However, I understand it's Italy.... And with Siena and Bargello scheduled in the morning, I see a small problem.
But I've become very good at the seven-minute Louvre sort of thing, as you know, Eloise.
Jul 15th, 2005, 02:37 PM
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I decided I wanted to try a convent, and I really didn't want to deal with the hassle of having to arrange an appointment to get into the B&B. Also, although this factor doesn't bother many people, I didn't like the lack of security issue of a B&B where the owner doesn't live there, as compared to an attended place (like a convent or hostel or hotel).
Also, most of the reviews at Venere and Hostelz.com are good, but not all.
I agree with Eloise about Fra Angelico's frescoes.
Also, most of the reviews at Venere and Hostelz.com are good, but not all.
I agree with Eloise about Fra Angelico's frescoes.
Jul 15th, 2005, 02:45 PM
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Thanks WillTravel.
By the way, re Fra Angelico's frescoes, Michelin Europe gives them 2 *. I don't know why. But there's a small paragraph on them.
Brancacci Chapel also gets 2 *. The hilltop church (Minato?) gets 2 * also. No explanation given on either.
Accademia gets 2 * (but David gets 3 *).
This I suppose I agree.
And the Michelin Europe entry on SMN doesn't mention Masaccio's "Holy Trinity" at all.
I found it all very curious.
But well no guide book is perfect. I like to use this one for quick overview.
By the way, re Fra Angelico's frescoes, Michelin Europe gives them 2 *. I don't know why. But there's a small paragraph on them.
Brancacci Chapel also gets 2 *. The hilltop church (Minato?) gets 2 * also. No explanation given on either.
Accademia gets 2 * (but David gets 3 *).
This I suppose I agree.
And the Michelin Europe entry on SMN doesn't mention Masaccio's "Holy Trinity" at all.
I found it all very curious.
But well no guide book is perfect. I like to use this one for quick overview.
Jul 15th, 2005, 03:04 PM
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By the way, it just occurs to me: What rating do you find for the Benozzo Gozzoli frescoes of the three Magi in the chapel in the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi (sp?)?
Tiny; lovely; not of the first order of artistic magnitude; Early Renaissance.
And if you do get to Santa Maria Novella (the Trinity, which I am happy to see that you have discovered, is a far better example of Masaccio's use of perspective than anything in the Brancacci Chapel; mind you, a large number of scholars have debated about whether he got the perspective right or not....), do cast a glance at the Ghirlandaio fresoces in one or other of the cupolas. Again, not of the first artistic magnitude, but Early Renaissance and quite charming, before the whole Renaissance idea got carried away by the intellectuals and the great geniuses...
Tiny; lovely; not of the first order of artistic magnitude; Early Renaissance.
And if you do get to Santa Maria Novella (the Trinity, which I am happy to see that you have discovered, is a far better example of Masaccio's use of perspective than anything in the Brancacci Chapel; mind you, a large number of scholars have debated about whether he got the perspective right or not....), do cast a glance at the Ghirlandaio fresoces in one or other of the cupolas. Again, not of the first artistic magnitude, but Early Renaissance and quite charming, before the whole Renaissance idea got carried away by the intellectuals and the great geniuses...
Jul 16th, 2005, 06:29 AM
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The Palazzo Medici-Riccardi is on Via Cavour. Oddly, the guidebook I am looking at at the moment doesn't give the number, but I think it's Via Cavour 1. The Florence Tourist Office is (or at least was) on the ground floor to the left as you entered the courtyard; to get to the Benozzo Gozzoli chapel, you take the stairs on the right.
According to a Fodor's guidebook, it's at Via Cavour 11 -- and Fodor's is never wrong (!?!)...
According to a Fodor's guidebook, it's at Via Cavour 11 -- and Fodor's is never wrong (!?!)...
Jul 16th, 2005, 09:36 AM
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Hi, just checking in quickly -- I need to pay for net access over the weekend at Kinko's.
Ghirlandaio frescoes get *** from Michelin Europe. I just read the entry on SMN again this morning, and these get a special nod.
But I wanted to check in to say that Fra Angelico frescoes also get *** (not **, as I said initially -- the museum itself gets **).
As for the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, I don't know how the guide rates it (or if it even mentions it) as I don't have it with me. I'll try to remember to look it up.
This is the Michelin Europe guide, so it doesn't list everything. But, as I said, I find it really good for an overview.
Ghirlandaio frescoes get *** from Michelin Europe. I just read the entry on SMN again this morning, and these get a special nod.
But I wanted to check in to say that Fra Angelico frescoes also get *** (not **, as I said initially -- the museum itself gets **).
As for the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, I don't know how the guide rates it (or if it even mentions it) as I don't have it with me. I'll try to remember to look it up.
This is the Michelin Europe guide, so it doesn't list everything. But, as I said, I find it really good for an overview.
Jul 16th, 2005, 09:55 AM
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Hello, 111op: Nice of you to check in -- and to pay to check in! -- on a Saturday. I fortunately have a computer at home and can indulge my Fodor's Forum addiction free of charge on weekends as well.
Perhaps when you are (and I am) back in the office on Monday, something will come up that we can exchange notes on.
I just read a horrifying article according to which the average office worker spends something like 2.5 hours a day on the computer, chatting or playing games. Were you one of the people they interviewed? (I wasn't; the study was in the U.S. and I'm in Canada.) No wonder North American productivity is going to pot!
Perhaps when you are (and I am) back in the office on Monday, something will come up that we can exchange notes on.
I just read a horrifying article according to which the average office worker spends something like 2.5 hours a day on the computer, chatting or playing games. Were you one of the people they interviewed? (I wasn't; the study was in the U.S. and I'm in Canada.) No wonder North American productivity is going to pot!
