Best Hotels in Rome and Florence......
Sep 10th, 2005, 02:37 PM
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Hotel de Russie in Rome and the villa San Michele in Fiesole (10 minutes from central Florence with great view of the city). Can't get much nicer than these two. Be prepared to pay at least 500 Euro for the Russie and 800 Euro for Villa San Michele.
Sep 10th, 2005, 07:49 PM
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The Hotel Lungarno in Florence doesn't have a spa ( at least I don't remember one) but it had excellent service, beautiful riverview rooms,( some with terraces) and a very good location for seeing most of the major sights of Rome. Rooms start at about 350E night.
Sep 10th, 2005, 07:51 PM
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Whoops- that should read obviously " very good location for seeing most of the major sights of FLORENCE!" Note to self: Do not post late at night! Sorry.
For Rome, I totally agree with Grinisa's recommendation for the Hotel de Russie.
For Rome, I totally agree with Grinisa's recommendation for the Hotel de Russie.
Sep 11th, 2005, 02:32 AM
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As Grinisa said; Hotel de Russie and Villa San Michele.
I haven't stayed in de Russie, but have had dinner there; it's beautiful.
I have stayed in the San Michele, and it is very special. In Florence itself, the Excelsior is great; we were upgraded to a gorgeous room on the top floor with a very large terrace ovelooking the river, where we had breakfast in the mornings. Just perfect.
Can't comment on the spa facilities as we didn't use any in these hotels.
I haven't stayed in de Russie, but have had dinner there; it's beautiful.
I have stayed in the San Michele, and it is very special. In Florence itself, the Excelsior is great; we were upgraded to a gorgeous room on the top floor with a very large terrace ovelooking the river, where we had breakfast in the mornings. Just perfect.
Can't comment on the spa facilities as we didn't use any in these hotels.
Sep 11th, 2005, 12:58 PM
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Hello mdtravel, I assume that you stayed at the Westin Excelsior in Florence recently. I always loved the "roof top" restaurant. I was told it has closed. Was this restaurant open again when you stayed there? Thank you.
Sep 12th, 2005, 07:34 AM
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LoveItaly,
I actually don't know about the rooftop restaurant. We didn't dine there at all and aren't huge foodies. Our idea of a great dinner was going to the Michelangelo bar in Piazzale Michelangelo, having some pizza and pasta, and splitting a litre of wine.
Here is the email for the head concierge at the hotel though. Just remove the characters that read "nospam." though or it will get rejected.
[email protected]
I actually don't know about the rooftop restaurant. We didn't dine there at all and aren't huge foodies. Our idea of a great dinner was going to the Michelangelo bar in Piazzale Michelangelo, having some pizza and pasta, and splitting a litre of wine.
Here is the email for the head concierge at the hotel though. Just remove the characters that read "nospam." though or it will get rejected.
[email protected]
Sep 12th, 2005, 06:10 PM
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Ike, you posted over a year ago that you were consdidering the Bristol or the Westin in Florence, but that your wife didn't like "old" hotel rooms, did you not make that trip?
In Rome, I agree with the Hotel de Russie recco, great hotel in a great location. You can walk to everything. The staff is wonderful. The courtyard for breakfast or drinks is so peaceful, a nice way to get away from hectic Rome. Their website is hotelderussie.it You have to watch room size, however. Rooms in Europe tend to be on the small side, if you want a large room (by US standards at least) you want at least 35 square meters, IMO (350 square feet), and actually 40 is better. The 500 Euro figure above would get you quite a small room (in fact only a single at the Russie), I think you are better off in the 750 range. They have some wonderful large rooftop suites that are realy worth it, IMO. Be sure to book spa appointments early, they tend to fill up. It would not hurt to try to book before you leave; it is hard to budget time so far ahead I know, but better than being disappointed. I find a late afternoon appointment works, after sightseeing but before dinner. The Turkish steam bath is really great before going out in the evening.
I agree with the Lungarno and the Villa San Michelle in Florence, but I don't think either has a spa. If you do stay at the Lungarno, do ask about room size, their rooms are small, even their suites tend to be less than 35 square meters. A sister hotel to the Lungarno is the Lungarno Suites across the river which is only about a year old and as the name implies is all suites, all over 40 square meters, and several with large balconies. Go to Lungarnohotels.com for info on these hotels and the other hotels in Florence operated by Ferragamo. I don't think any of the Ferragamo hotels has a spa, but do check the website.
The Villa San Michele is about 25 minutes outside of Florence, which is both good and bad; good because it is outside the noise and crowds of the city, and has beautiful views of Florence and the countryside, and bad because it is a bit tiring to get into town each day. The hotel has a free shuttle but still having to time yourself to the schedule, etc, gets old after about the second day. Go to http://www.villasanmichele.com. I don't think they have a spa. Another option outside Florence which does have a spa would be the Villa La Massa, sister hotel to the Villa d'Este. Take a look at www.villalamassa.com or lhw.com I personally like being in town, but it is up to you.
The Westin is a little too over the top for me in terms of decor, but a lot of people on this site seem to like it. They may have a spa, check the startwood.com website.
In Rome, I agree with the Hotel de Russie recco, great hotel in a great location. You can walk to everything. The staff is wonderful. The courtyard for breakfast or drinks is so peaceful, a nice way to get away from hectic Rome. Their website is hotelderussie.it You have to watch room size, however. Rooms in Europe tend to be on the small side, if you want a large room (by US standards at least) you want at least 35 square meters, IMO (350 square feet), and actually 40 is better. The 500 Euro figure above would get you quite a small room (in fact only a single at the Russie), I think you are better off in the 750 range. They have some wonderful large rooftop suites that are realy worth it, IMO. Be sure to book spa appointments early, they tend to fill up. It would not hurt to try to book before you leave; it is hard to budget time so far ahead I know, but better than being disappointed. I find a late afternoon appointment works, after sightseeing but before dinner. The Turkish steam bath is really great before going out in the evening.
I agree with the Lungarno and the Villa San Michelle in Florence, but I don't think either has a spa. If you do stay at the Lungarno, do ask about room size, their rooms are small, even their suites tend to be less than 35 square meters. A sister hotel to the Lungarno is the Lungarno Suites across the river which is only about a year old and as the name implies is all suites, all over 40 square meters, and several with large balconies. Go to Lungarnohotels.com for info on these hotels and the other hotels in Florence operated by Ferragamo. I don't think any of the Ferragamo hotels has a spa, but do check the website.
The Villa San Michele is about 25 minutes outside of Florence, which is both good and bad; good because it is outside the noise and crowds of the city, and has beautiful views of Florence and the countryside, and bad because it is a bit tiring to get into town each day. The hotel has a free shuttle but still having to time yourself to the schedule, etc, gets old after about the second day. Go to http://www.villasanmichele.com. I don't think they have a spa. Another option outside Florence which does have a spa would be the Villa La Massa, sister hotel to the Villa d'Este. Take a look at www.villalamassa.com or lhw.com I personally like being in town, but it is up to you.
The Westin is a little too over the top for me in terms of decor, but a lot of people on this site seem to like it. They may have a spa, check the startwood.com website.
Sep 22nd, 2005, 12:08 PM
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Cicerone......Who are you.....my travel agent.......I doubt where and when I travel is any of your business.......if you can't offer a decent reply.......then don't........thanks for your kind help............
"Ike, you posted over a year ago that you were consdidering the Bristol or the Westin in Florence, but that your wife didn't like "old" hotel rooms, did you not make that trip?"
"Ike, you posted over a year ago that you were consdidering the Bristol or the Westin in Florence, but that your wife didn't like "old" hotel rooms, did you not make that trip?"
Sep 22nd, 2005, 12:16 PM
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Hi Ike, believe it or not the Rome Cavalieri Hilton gets great reviews, and I looked on their website, they have a gorgeous spa and also one of the top rated restaurants in Rome. I think its about a 10 min cab ride into the city but the rooms look so nice that I think it would be worth it. We tried to book for October but it was all booked out.
Sep 22nd, 2005, 01:41 PM
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The Excelsior in Florence is amazing, very traditional. Hotel Savoy is the best location you can get, more modern, much smaller rooms, but a "trendy" hotel if you dare say so.
Also stayed at the Excelsior in Rome, also really nice, not as nice as in Florence though. You can't go wrong with them though.
Also stayed at the Excelsior in Rome, also really nice, not as nice as in Florence though. You can't go wrong with them though.
Sep 22nd, 2005, 03:40 PM
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If you decide on the San Michele in Fiesole, try that walk from Fiesole to Florence..downhill all the way, with mind-blowing scenes of Florence down below...the Duomo comes clearer and clearer into view. It's about 6-7 miles into the heart of Florence...easy and lovely walk.
And, Fiesole is a fine little town, Roman ruins, some decent trattorias, small and compact place.
Stu
And, Fiesole is a fine little town, Roman ruins, some decent trattorias, small and compact place.
Stu
Sep 25th, 2005, 02:04 AM
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Sep 25th, 2005, 06:25 AM
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I second that. I think Cicerone
gave a lovely answer and detailed help and re-reading it now, I cannot see why Ike was upset. I think Cicerone was just asking if the origial trip was made and was waiting for a yes or no answer and how the poster enjoyed it and where you finally decided to stay.
Thanks Cicerone, I got some great info from your answer and more than appreciate your helpful input.
gave a lovely answer and detailed help and re-reading it now, I cannot see why Ike was upset. I think Cicerone was just asking if the origial trip was made and was waiting for a yes or no answer and how the poster enjoyed it and where you finally decided to stay.
Thanks Cicerone, I got some great info from your answer and more than appreciate your helpful input.
Sep 25th, 2005, 06:28 AM
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By the way Tower, I cannot wait to do what you described re Fisole. I probably wont be abel to spring for S. Michele but I think I will stay up in Fisole next time in Florence. I just went up there once, and it was raining, but so lovely.
