What would I expect to pay for a decent (clean) hotel in Florence or surrounding area $80 USD too much to ask? If anyone has specific names where they have stayed. Or maybe it's better to stay on the outskirts?

We stayed at the Hotel Montreal, 3 or 4 blocks from the train/bus station. It was 62 Euro booked online, for the room, not per person. Had ac and lift to the third floor. If higher, you had to walk. Price included light breakfast, with good coffee.

When they say "single" room, do they mean one twin bed?
I guess I am used to US hotels which usually have at least a double or queen bed.

Any advice on staying on the outskirts, or neighboring towns? Sienna....

http://en.venere.com/hotels_florence..._centrale.html

http://en.venere.com/hotels_florence...il_perseo.html

We have stayed at both these hotels and would say that they are both worth it for anyone on a budget. They are both within 2 or 3 minutes walk from the Duomo. It was a few years back that we stayed at the Il Perseo and would have stayed there again on the last trip but they were fully booked.

We had a better breakfast at the Centrale, a buffet with way more than you could wish to eat.

Happy travels

Yes, a single room usually means a room with one twin bed -- accomodations for one person only. Even doules in most European hotels will be smaller than the typical hotel room you're accustomed to in the US. Booking a double room for single use is a common practice if you're staying by yourself but want something bigger than the typical single room.

I stayed at the Hotel Casci in Florence. Family run, it's a clean hotel, reasonable rates, a laundry service, a good breakfast, and within walking distance to the Accademia, Duomo, other nearby attractions and the train station. I would easily stay there again.

For something cheaper, I understand that Mestre offers cheaper accomodations, although I have not stayed in the area myself.

MKE, Mestre is near Venice

I too would recommend Il Perseo and normally would recommend Hotel Medici but it is in the middle of having it's building renovated or restored. That probably means it's going to bump up to another "star" which will also bump up their rates.