Can you please offer suggestions for a hotel near shopping, restaurants and general sights. I was in Florence in 2004 but didn't have the best of times due to an injury with my knee, this time I am well and ready to enjoy the beauty of this city. We are two couples in pre senior years....I thought that the Hotel David sounded wonderful with good reviews but it appears to be away from town. Mid range pricing, would love balcony. Thank you

What is your definition of "mid-range pricing"?

Would a terrace (available to all guests) be an acceptable substitute for a balcony? What time of year will you be there?

I would say 300.00 top US dollars a night....We will be there in mid September. We want to spend about four days and was thinking of taking train to Chiusi and renting car and finding some place in Tuscany so that we can enjoy countryside. I suppose the group balcony would be okay but would prefer private of course.....Would like to be in the area of the bridge but don't want to be up all night because of street noise either. This is our friends 1st trip to Italy so would love for them to experience the best. Thank you as I know it is hard to advise based on 1st planning stages but knowing we are sort of picky travelers may be an honest starting place...

I loved the Davanzati Hotel! It does not have a balcony but it is in a wonderful location, a fabulous complimentary happy hour and breakfast, and the owners are just wonderful. In addition it was nice to have a free laptop to use.
The outside is a bit disconcerting and then you walk in and feel so much love and light. Everyone is very helpful, especially in arranging museum reservations, giving ideas for dinner, and overall just a pleasure.

This might help get you started.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...or-balcony.cfm

And I can add this hotel which is located a block from the Ponte Vecchio, a block from the Uffizi and has a rooftop terrace. Rooms overlooking the river are subject to some street/traffic noise.

http://www.hermitagehotel.com/

Try www.venere.com

I've used them for my three different trips to Florence.

You can filter by price by date and by location.

There are also reviews of every hotel listed by folks that have stayeed there before. Three trips, three different hotels.

This is a quirky hotel. We stayed here a couple of years ago and loved it. The Presidential room allows you to imagine being renaissance nobility and I believe it's within your price range. It's close to most things.

http://www.venere.com/hotels/florenc...&pval=2&rval=1

Try Hotel Calzaiuoli .... We stayed there in Nov. and the location is great.

Check out Trip Advisor to get reviews on all the hotels suggested to you.

No terraces, but the location on Via Calzaiuoli makes up for it. Good luck

Also take a look at the Hermitage hotel which overlooks the Ponte Vecchio.

Are you asking for two rooms at $300 each? or are you trying to get a room for 4 people, or 2 rooms for 2 people each for a total of $300?

Two rooms.....and I just threw that number out there. $300 dollars nightly each room. I would think that would get you a fairly decent hotel. Thanks for all the replies. I was on some of these sites today, just wasn't sure what the area was called. I did see that the Hotel David got good reviews but read it was outside the area. I find that after a long day if you are outside the POI's you end up getting taxi. Better off paying a bit more so that you can walk to your hotel when you are tired.

I also recommend the Hermitage. Price, location and amenities are very good.