Florence: B&Bs and Modest Hotels
 

Would appreciate your recommendations for a
three night stay in mid-May 06. Hoping to pay between 80 to 110E per night for a double with a private bath and breakfast. Is that realistic? Should I get a place with AC?

That price range seems a bit low for Florence in high season. You're looking at 2 stars or lower. Perhaps you should look at venere.com and nyceflorence.com, plug in your dates and take a look at the hotels there. Once you decide, you might do better to book directly through the hotel's independent website.

Hotel Desiree. Was definitly in your price range when I was there in July, but that's actually a "lower" priced season than May. It's close to everything and was clean and safe with a great breakfast. No frills though. It did have AC, and I believe all the rooms were ensuite. It's on the second floor of a building with several other hotels in it. google it and you'll get several booking sites that have it. I found a low price on one and then emailed the hotel and asked for that price and they gave it to me. I'd stay there again.

Thanks for the info. I thought I might be a little on the low side with my estimates.

Cato, In Sept, I stayed at Hotel Giada, Via del Canto de' Nelli. They're showing 100E for mid-May 06. It is located right in the middle of the leather market directly across the street from San Lorenzo. Nothing fancy, but perfectly adequate, clean room, elevator, buffet breakfast included consisting of cereal, rolls, croissants, salami, fruit, yogurt, juice. Short walk to both the train station and the Duomo.

If you want more details, my trip report is here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34687434
Have a great trip!

B &B Peterson 2 blocks from station, bus stops at door step 48 single 65 double is what we paid in September 2005. Neat, clean, good towels, air, a little noise from street but great location.
B&B Peterson
Phone: +39 348 8428160 - Fax: +39 055 367844
Address: Via Guido Monaco 25, 50144 Firenz
[email protected] - ITALY-

If you're willing to stay in a convent, you can easily meet that budget. I stayed at this one:
http://www.fmmfirenze.it
I think they do have at least one double room that has both a private toilet and shower/bath.
Check http://www.Eurocheapo.com for cheap Florence hotels.

Check out Il Porcellino. The location is great, and I think you won't do better for the price.

Buon Viaggio,
BC

Another admirer of Hotel Desiree..Nice, economical, very clean, buffet breakfast, close to the station , friendly staff and AC..
I had a triple this past June for 125Euros.

the dei mori B&B is fantastic...it is so centrally located you would think you are at the center of the city...near to everything....its in your upper price range....small rooms but pleasant and comfortable...greeat hosts, who tell you tons about the city, especially the best restaurants...bad side: 43 stairs from street level to front door...continental breakfast in lobby...

but the location!!!!

do a google search...

Hi C,

Another vote for the B&B Peterson.

www.bedinflorence.it

((I))

Thanks for all the options - things are looking up.

I am taken back at prices in general in Italy. Still, I can't let that spoil things. I'll just cut back on my pre-trip expenses and look for more free or low cost things to do.

Hi C,

>I am taken back at prices in general in Italy.<

Compared to what, where?

((I))

ira, Dothan, Alabama! Sorry, I couldn't resist it.

No, it's just I went to Italy in 2001 and now it seems like the prices are, in many cases, up 50% or more.

Meal prices like much more expensive. I think they left the zeros on when they converted from lira to euros.

Cato, you are right. And every Italian I've ever spoken to has also agreed with you. They are furious at the way the cost of living has increased, and salaries have not kept pace.

Prices have, more or less, doubled since the Euro was introduced. Whatever cost 10,000 lire should have been a little more than 50 Euro; instead, it now costs 100 Euro.

The problems started with the Euros.

Since the conversion the cost of everyday life is almost double, the poor and the middle vlass are getting poorer, while the merchants are getting richer and laughing all the way to the bank.

typo error..Class..

Hi Cato,

Yes, Italy is much more expensive than it was before the euro.

It is still a bargain compared to other places including the US and much of Europe.

((I))

ira, I agree. It is no use grousing too long over the way things used to be.

You should look into the benefits of staying 10-15 minutes away in Fiesole at the Pensione Bencista. Away from the crowds, beautiful sunsets overlooking Florence. Love this place. runs higher than you list, but it includes a modest dinner.