Florence B and B recommendations
 

My husband and I will be visiting Florence for the first time September 25 - October 1, 2014. We know an apartment would be less expensive than a b and b but we prefer the opportunity to interact with others in a b and b environment. The choices are overwhelming thus my request to fodorites for guidance.

Our preferences include being in a neighborhood where there are restaurants supported by locals along with bakeries, cafes, and shops. Easy walking access (10-15 minutes) to the major tourist sites of Florence. The budget is 90-125€ per room per night including breakfast. Naturally we want the moon with a lovely terrace, balcony, and garden as well as gracious proprietors.... Not likely but dreaming is as important as facing reality.

Thus the questions.

1. Which neighborhood would you recommend we consider for our stay.
2. Which B and B would you recommend within our budget constraints.

Truthfully, I need more help selecting the neighborhood more than the accommodation.

THANK YOU for any positive suggestions you can share.

Happy travels in 2014 for all

Julie

Florence is not the city where I would stay in a neighborhood with the locals. The architecture and the car-free piazzas are so beautiful, I would stay in the heart of the old city even though, yes, there are a lot of tourists. Even my dad, the country boy, loved being in the heart of Florence and walked everywhere by himself.

I would begin with the Fodor's Guide below, only to give you an idea of a few properties, and also to use their maps to get a visual of the city.

http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/i...ce/hotels.html

Note that Fodors suggests "Browse Hotel by Neighborhood." In my mind, the best choice is "Ponte Vecchio to the Duomo" tied with "Santa Maria Novella to the Arno" and closely followed by "Santa Croce" and the nearer properties by "San Lorenzo. " Santa Maria Novella, the Duomo (Dome/Cathedral), Santa Croce (Holy Cross) and Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) are all major tourist destinations rather than neighborhoods.

Once you've checked this out, move on and explore the properties recommended on this board and elsewhere TA, etc. Use en.mappy.com or google maps to figure out how long your walk would be using the actual lodgings address and the "walk" feature.

Hello Julie,
Look at Tourist House Ghiberti for a very nice B&B.

Thanks for the tips, I would like to make a decision and have a reservation by the end of January.

Hi julie,

if you are willing to be a little way from the station [a 10 min taxi ride or so] i would recommend the B&B I stayed at a few years ago, in the Santa Croce area.

http://www.residenzacasanuova.it/

it gets great reviews on TA, quite rightly because although it is a 10-15 minute walk from the Duomo, there is loads of interest on the way, and there is indeed a balcony with a view over the roofs of Florence, where you can have a drink or just sit and read. just south of the apartment is the San ambroglio market which is well patronised by locals; Beatrice [one of the owners] does tours of the market including lunch at the market cafe which are both fun and informative.
i stayed for 3 nights and really enjoyed being there, much more so than being in a hotel or apartment, because of the personal interaction with the hosts and other guests.

Annhig, this looks promising, grazie

Prego, Julie.

B&B Casa di Dante
Via Dante Alighieri, 14, 50122 Florence, Italy

We had an apartment in this area and loved it.

Hi J,

www.bedinflorence.it

You can look them up here, at tripadvisor and at booking dot com.

((I))

Thanks Ira, will do.