Hello, I'll be visiting Florence for a few nights and would like to know if anyone can recommend budget accommodation. Price about USD80/night for 2 people. One of those family-run, cosy hotels will be just perfect... of course preferably not too inconveniently located.<BR><BR>cindy

Cindy, a couple of suggestions...<BR><BR>1. go to the "hotels" tab at the top of the screen and choose Itlay etcc...follow the links to the hotel reviews for Florence. This'll give you some ideas of a few hotels that actual travelers liked.<BR><BR>2. do a search on this forum by entering "florence hotels" in the text box and you'll find dozens of recommendations<BR><BR>3. try a recommended site like www.venere.com for a variety of hotels and it shows you on a map, so you can see exactly where they're located compared to the other sites in the city.<BR><BR>4. Compile a few that sound good to you and do a search again on this forum by entering the specific hotel name..you'll be able to see specific comments by those they may have stayed there.<BR><BR>I hope this helps. Good luck with your planning.

Hi Cindy:<BR><BR>A couple of friends of mine had good luck finding cheap hotels on a site called www.eurocheapo.com. I personally haven't used them, but my friends were very happy with the accomodations they found through that site.<BR><BR>Good luck,<BR>Jennie

Cindy, I found that www.guestinitaly.com had listings for inexpensive hotels in Florence. I think that they charge a booking fee, but if your're staying for several nights, it might be worth it? In any case, you can check out their descriptions.

Price is a bit over what you're seeking, but I will mention it anyhow.<BR><BR>http://www.hotelcasci.com/<BR>The Hotel Casci is just what you're looking for.<BR>

Another suggestion which is in your price range is the Perseo,<BR>http://www.venere.com/it/firenze/perseo/<BR><BR>I don't have personal experience with this place --- it's one of those that was on my 'short list' a few years ago when planning a trip to Italy.<BR>

I really liked Hotel Scaletta, just across the pont vecchio. I stayed there in March and got a single, with shower but no bath, for about 40 dollars single. Very nice family, roof top coffee veranda, and only about a three minute walk to the Uffizi. Also a nice, cheap restaurant named Trattoria Casa Lingua nearby, of Santa Spiritu. Hotel has an elevator and is basic, funky, but clean. Forgive all the spelling, please.

More suggestions?<BR>

www.ilbargellino.com<BR>Ask for a room that opens to the roof terrace. My mom and I stayed at Il Bargellino March 2001. It was recommended to me by another Fodorite. As you exit the train station, take a left on Via Nazionale, the first major street. Il Bargellino is about 4 blocks down, to the left, at Via Guelfa 87. It's an easy walk to the market and there are several good restaurants on the same street, one in the same block and others across via Nazionale. There is a bar on the corner where you can have breakfast.

Check out Let's Go Italy. We spent a few nights in Florence last year and we used Let's Go Europe (the Italy book is far more detailed) - we found an excellent pensione for a great price (very cosy and in the center of town - in Dante's court).<BR><BR>Florence is absolutely magical - enjoy! <BR><BR>

No personal experience but friends who<BR>love to shop Florence and are very picky<BR>about cleanliness and comfort, but want to save money for designer clothes, recommended Hotel Mario to me. I think<BR>it is in your price range. My friends<BR>found it listed in the Karen Brown<BR>guide for Italy. You can read her<BR>reviews online.