Florence hotel guidance, please?
 

Searching for hotels in Florence provides embarrassment of riches. We booked a place, but are having second and third thoughts, and so we're looking for another. I can read hotel reviews as well as the next person, and have -- but I would really like some further input.

First, I've read that the area around the Santa Novella Maria train station isn't the best. On the other hand, we will be coming in and leaving by train. We'd contemplated the virtue of being in walking distance of the train station (yes, carrying the 26-in duffle bag as a backpack)...but is that *that much* of an advantage? Would it better to stay more in the center and walk further from the train or take a taxi? (I imagine it's not hard to find a taxi at the train station...?)

I've looked at a lot of the recommended hotels but am finding them dearth of triples or just plain too expensive. Besides the triple, here's my dream list: budget/moderate/midrange cost, "good location" relative to walking (whatever that means in Florence!), A/C, breakfast included, and reasonably quiet. We'll probably be hanging out at art museums a lot, if that helps, though we basically want to see the sights in general. Can anyone please help us narrow the choices down?

Thanks.

beeswing

Is this three adults or two adults plus child? If the latter, what is the age of the child? If 12 or under, consider the Tourist House Ghiberti which fulfills your dream list.

http://www.touristhouseghiberti.com/eng/01-home.html

I wouldn't stay in area of the train station. There's nothing wrong with the area. It just lacks charm IMO. Taxis are easy to find there, and the distance/fare to almost any point in Florence isn't great. Wherever you stay, you'll be doing a lot of walking. There is a bus system that can be helpful in taking you to (or from) your farthest point of the day, but I usually just walk everywhere.

I'll also say I wouldn't be using a 26-inch duffle bag as a backpack, but it's your back and not mine.

The duffle bag was covered (and covered and covered) in another thread...I'd rather not go there. :)

It's my husband and I and our then-to-be-15-year-old daughter, so unfortunately the Tourist House Ghiberti isn't an option...but I apreciate the idea. Thanks, too, for the info on the train station area. That's what I'd been thinking. And we do want charm. :)

beeswing

I agree about the train station area- it is the most crowded area and does lack charm. A taxi from the train station to a more central hotel will not cost much.

Have you researched on venere.com or florenceby.com?

Here are a few links for you to further research-

http://www.proconsolo.com/
http://www.florencegrandtour.com/index.php
http://www.rentinginitaly.com/villa/bbpiazza/
http://www.touristhouseghiberti.com/eng/01-home.html
http://www.residenzailvillino.com/index.cfm
http://www.hotelporcellino.eu/
http://www.hotelcestelli.com/
http://www.hotelbalcony.com/en/rooms.htm
http://www.hotelsantacroce.it/12,12.html
http://www.sanlorenzohotel.it/rooms.php
http://www.bbrepubblica.com/index.html
http://www.ilsalottodifirenze.it/en/index.php

This one is rated #1 on Trip Advisor and is very nice-
http://www.hoteldavanzati.it/

Apartments in Florence-
http://www.residenzailcarmine.com

http://www.laresidenzahotel.com/en/

Just returned from a very nice lodging experience, the Hotel La Residenza on Tornobuoni Street....€85 for a double, caged elevator, complimentary computer access...also lounge, bar, excellent buffet breakfast, and rooftop terrace...all included. Access within easy walks to all of Florence's attractions. Recommended by Fodorite EKSCRUNCHY...

stu tower

OK, 26-inch duffle it is, but I'll never get the image out of my head of an American guy at our hotel in Prague hefting a huge duffle onto his back, losing his balance and ... falling face-first into the reception desk.

zoecat has provided a helpful list, but what's your budget?

beeswing,
We stayed at the Hotel Globus in Florence. It's certainly not fancy but it was clean and in a location that, though not charming, was interesting (near the San Lorenzo market, the food market, and a short walk from the Duomo). The reason I mention it in particular is that our room was a large double with another small room that you walked through to get to the bathroom. The small room had a single bed in it. We just used it for our suitcases and clothes but it might be perfect for someone travelling with a teenager. The room was in the centre of the building and there was no view -- the two windows looked out on airshafts -- but the room was big enough that we didn't feel claustrophobic and it was certainly quiet. And breakfast was included.

Here's the website:
http://www.hotelglobus.com/

We'd prefer about EURO 185 max for a triple, including breakfast, and less than that would be even better. I've already looked at a lot of the hotel listings, but I'm having trouble finding one that has the triple and meets the other criteria. We're not looking for anything fancy; in fact, we feel better in places that aren't. But I really want clean, quiet, well-located, and -- since we'll be there summer 2010 -- air-conditioned.

Thanks!

beeswing

I just looked at the Globus website and they have a place where you can put in that you're traveling with a child and her age. I think it meets your price.

Have a look at the Hotel Casci. It's only a two-star, but I've never seen a bad review of it. It ticks all your boxes.

In September, we stayed at a wonderful B&B in Florence with our daughter. It's in the Santa Croce neighborhood, and called Casa dei Tintori, www.casadeitintori.it. It's a 10-minute walk, or less, of Piazza dei Signoria. We paid 160 Euros/night, including breakfast, for the green room (see the website). The room was spacious, quiet and clean, and the owners, Alberto and Valeria, are wonderful. Valeria prepares the breakfast each morning, and if you express the least desire, she will fulfill it - my daughter received chocolate pastries galore, and my husband got to have plain cornetti each day. You might want to check on the dimensions of the third bed, which is a foldout chair - my daugher is quite small (she's 10yo). I'm not sure whether it would accommodate a full-height person. I hope it can, though - I can't recommend this place highly enough! (As we were there in September, I don't know if it has A/C.)

As for staying near the train station, that doesn't make sense. It's worth it to spend a little on a cab and then have your lodging be centrally located for your time in Florence, so you can get around easily each day. And the area around the train station isn't so nice or interesting.

I think you should look for an apartment in the historical center. The Globus looks good, but it's almost back at the train station. The Casci is always well-reviewed, but their triple would seem to be out of your budget. Casa dei Tintori's rates for a triple (only 2 available) are above your budget even in the lowest season. Of course, you could always inquire about a hotel's availability/rates and counter with something lower, in cash or in advance (some incentive for them), and see what they say.

Many Fodorites have recommended this apartment service, but do a search here for specific comments.

http://www.sleepinginflorence.com/

I just looked at Tower's (and ekscrunchy's) recommendation of Hotel La Residenza, and it looks perfect for you if your trip is before May 2010. After May 1st, the rate for a triple is out of your budget.

I lived in Florence for a while. I can tell you that from Santa Maria Novella to the train station is not good. Every night the gypsies would meet in front of Santa Maria Novella before they went home.

The historic center of Florence is small. It's easy walking. On return trips we have stayed at the Pendini which is in Piazza Republica. Any of the suggestions above are good as long as they aren't facing Santa Maria Novella and the station. Some people may not agree with me about location, but as I mentioned befor I lived there and know what goes on.

"The Casci is always well-reviewed, but their triple would seem to be out of your budget." It would?

For a three-night stay July 17 to 20, I get 117 Euro per night cash rate and 130 Euro regular rate.

We're going to be in Florence end of June/beginning of July. The cash rate for the Casci is showing as EURO 162 a night, with the standard rate as EURO 180. So it's within our budget and sounds really good for us. I'll have to look into the other options, too. Thanks so much for the leads!

beeswing

We just got back from Florence and highly recommend <b>Residenza Il Maggio B & B</b> which was shockingly reasonably priced at 70E per night for a TRIPLE. Request room #3 which is VERY spacious and comfy. The bathroom is quite large also. It also had a small balcony. It is a 4 room B & B run by a very nice couple (Roberto speaks excellent English) located on an ultra quiet street across from the Maggio Teatro and the US Consolate is just down the street. So, it was both safe and quiet. The breakfast was also very good. It was near the Arno and just a 15 min. walk to the main attractions of Florence.

http://residenzailmaggio.it/index_gb.htm

Hey, Zerlina, I used the Hotel Casci Web site (http://www.hotelcasci.com) and got way different rates. Where did you see the rates you got? (Or maybe it's that the dates are just different?)

One more thing. This last trip we traveled as a "Triple" with our 8 year old son. A Fodorite turned us onto the booking.com website which was extremely helpful since they listed Triple rooms available when the info was entered. It also had a drop down menu so you can have the rooms listed by least expensive (or popular, or best ratings, etc.). Also, I liked that it was listing in US dollars.

Another benefit is that the room is guaranteed by CC. So you don't have to prepay and cancelling is a snap.

Good luck.

I also used the Hotel Casci Web site. It must be the different dates: Many city hotels offer lower rates in late July and sometimes even lower ones in August.

<i>I just looked at Tower's (and ekscrunchy's) recommendation of Hotel La Residenza, and it looks perfect for you if your trip is before May 2010. After May 1st, the rate for a triple is out of your budget</i> Posted by "jean", above.

Bee:

I just checked the rate for a triple room at La Residenza for July...€125 per night with breakfast and all the inclusions I stated in my post above. The rooms are bigger than most European hotels I've stayed in over the years....so the triple should be more than ample for the three of you.

stu

hi bee:

we stayed with our two teens in a great apartment for 156 euro per night in 2008 during peak season. it was 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, washer (no dryer, but there's a drying rack in the window, living room, and kitchen. there is no minimum night requirement, and the people were lovely to deal with. it was located half a block from the baptistry and having visited florence, we thought it was a GREAT location. we walked there (rolling our luggage) from the train station.

we stayed at the casci in their quad in 2004 for almost 250 euro. this was so much better!

here's the link to the apartment. we LOVED it.
http://www.sleepinginflorence.com/co...t_florence.htm

they have several other apartments, too.

good luck!!

oh, i should probably mention there are a lot of stairs!!! if you have knee problems this might not work for you. i don't remember a lift.

also forgot to mention that their A/C was the best we had in Italy. (Better than the time we stayed at the Excelsior in Florence -- where we couldn't get cool enough!)

hope that helps.

Alloro B&B is between the train station and Duomo and should have a triple in your price range. They usually list a special booking rate (click book promotion) if you are staying several days. If you will be there in July or August, the discounts will be bigger.
http://www.allorobb.it/Eng/index.html

Really, it is not all that much of a walk from the train station to the center of things. We walked from the station to our hotel that was actually a bit past the center in about 15 minutes with luggage.

Bookmarking - thanks

We stayed at the Hotel Europa a few years ago which is located across from the Casci. We found it clean, comfortable and quiet with good A/C and breakfast was included. We stayed in a quad room which was very large. The hotel management was pleasant and easy to deal with (they helped us locate parking) and the location can't be beat -- just block or two from the cathedral. The price should be well within your range. Now this isn't a luxury property but falls within your budget/moderate category.

We have stayed FIVE times (so far!) at Hotel Casci and so you can imagine that we love it in every possible way. I have been there once with two teenage sons and we got a beautiful and large quad room which was perfect for us. This is not a fancy hotel, which seems to be what you are looking for. But it IS spotlessly clean, has great a/c, a large and varied breakfast, right smack in the city center so you can really walk everywhere. But most of all, the people who run this small family hotel are so special, they care for you as if you are family and nothing is too much trouble for them.

All you need to do is read some of the hundreds of reviews on tripadvisor, they are all true. I would NOT stay in the train station area either. Firenze is just so small anyway that it would not make sense. Granted that this hotel is on the second floor (but with elevator albeit small) of a really drab looking apartment building but that feeling dissipates once you enter the actual hotel and are warmly greeted by the proprietors.

Have a great visit !!

Thus site has loads of great locations, and yes, many within a reasonable price range and distance, so it's totally worth checking out. They've never done me wrong! http://www.italiancollection.com/en/...ce/hotels.html
I know, the initial prices may frighten you, but scroll on down. They honestly handpick the properties, I've had great experiences (in fact, they were recommended to me by ITALIAN family and loads of traveling friends), and they provide really professional, friendly, caring, service. In English. Happy travels!

Try the Hotel Bellettini in Florence and if you book on the website it is cheaper. I booked on BOOKINGS.COM but found it cheaper on there website.

Thanks for all the ideas; I'll check into them! One quick comment -- Flame 123 was under the impression I was looking for a "fancy hotel." I'm not, although I do want someplace clean (and not too ratty looking!). In fact, I don't tend to feel at home in fancy hotels.

*If I can get it,* I do prefer a little charm with my non-fancy hotels. In Europe, that might translate to a converted older/historic building or a location near a plaza, square, or landmark. It's not a requirement, but it is nice. My husband prefers places he can talk to the locals; a friendly staff is always great.

Thanks again for all the great ideas.

beeswing

>>> My husband prefers places he can talk to the locals; <<<

Does he speak Italian?

Not that I'm getting a kickback from the Hotel Globus or anything, but it's about the same distance from there to the train station as it is to the Duomo (walking, I mean). I don't quite understand the concern about the train station unless something has changed about it since we were there in 2005. There were lots of people on the street, both day and night, and we felt perfectly safe walking everywhere.

It's true that Florence is very walkable -- you'll find that especially if you come from a big town or city where the distances are greater.

gtg - There are some areas around the train station that are a bit sketchy.

No, my husband doesn't speak Italian (although he does know Latin, which might help)...but he's working on getting at least some basics down before our summer trip. He does surprisingly well in Mexico with the limited Spanish he's picked up. He's not at all afraid to dive into a language he doesn't know.

beeswing

If you're looking for charm, a historic building and close to a scenic piazza, then do consider Casa dei Tintori - and if your maximum price is 185, then it should be in your price range.

And great for practicing Italian - I'm working hard on my Italian. Alberto speaks English quite well, Valeria not so much, so each morning I'd practice with them in a mixture of Italian and English. They were very patient with me!

beeswing - no you misinterpreted what I wrote or I was not clear enough. I KNEW you were NOT looking for anything fancy and THAT is exactly why I recommended Hotel Casci. It does seem to have all of most of what you are looking for.

You can look at Hotel Universo.

It appears to have been redone quite recently and the Tripadvisor comments seem good.

It's in Piaza Santa Maria Novella which is a 5 minute walk (max) to the train station but on the Historic side of the station.

You daughter qualifies as an adult but the rates are 105E and 130E (Piazza view) including breakfast, A/C, etc.

Sorry, Flame123...I did misread you.

Thanks for all the ideas, everyone!

beeswing

We stayed at the Hotel David in September, 2009 for 3 nights. It is located in the Oltrarno area of Florence. We absolutely loved it. The hotel had so much charm, and the employees were so helpful. There are many great amenities included with the room rate, which was 135 euros for two adults. Our room had a king bed and two twin beds!! You can take the D bus from the train station, and it stops right across the street from the hotel. We utilized the bus system (purchased a 3-day bus pass from the hotel) as well as walked to so many beautiful sites in Florence. There is also a bus stop on the other side of the street that we used to go up to the Piazza Michelangelo.

I would not hesitate to stay here again. The hotel website: http://www.davidhotel.it/