Hi, I'm needing some suggestions of which areas in Florence are the best given that I'm looking in the price range around the $90-$160 a nite price range. 2 star hotels are fine. Just wanted somewhere safe and a short walk to the central area of Florence. On looking on a map I'm wandering if staying just south of the Arno is a good idea (i.e., cheaper and a short walk, maybe)?? Or would I be better off looking more toward the B&B's for this price range and location? Thanks, S

Scott, have you looked on tripadvisor.com, venere.com or scrolled through the last 50 or 100 posts here? Lots of answers await..

My husband and I stayed at a Boscolo hotel in Florence last summer. I believe it as the Astoria. Excellent location and taxes and breakfast included. Great room - very pretty - great marble bathroom. Beautiful old hotel - very beautiful inside. Great concierge. We paid 117 USD per night - by far the best deal for a hotel room I have ever gotten. Great location, great price - check it out - check the Boscolo site!

best of luck! Florence is stunning!

Thanks for the replies. That's a GREAT price on the Boscolo. I can't seem to find that good a price. How did you find that price. Thanks again for the help, S

i'm also looking in florence, if i find anything really good i'll post it here for you.

My parents and I stayed at Hotel Giada last Christmas. It's not the highest rated 2* hotel in Florence, according to Tripadvisor, but I find it quite acceptable, especially for the price we paid (120 euro for a triple, breakfast included).

You can find my review on Tripadvisor.com It's located at Piazza San Lorenzo, right across from the Medici Chapel. <10 minutes to train station, 5 minutes to Duomo.

I haven't seen a bad review yet on the Desiree:

http://www.desireehotel.com/

Hi S,

You might want to consider the B&B Peterson.

www.bedinflorence.it

Another to check out is Hotel Casci, also in a great locaton, very near the Duomo.

I've been to Florence twice. Both times I ended up at the Porta Rossa, on Via Fienza (I believe that's the name, if my memory serves me right). There are a bunch of hotels on that street, all two stars. I walked into the Porta Rossa, and I was unimpressed with the exterior, but when I saw the room, it was pretty sparse, but it was immaculate. What impressed me most is that the bed linens smelled fresh and clean, and were bleached real white, just the way they are when my wife washes them. The rest of the room had that clean smell, as did the bathroom. The price was about $80.00/night three years ago. I don't know how much it is now. I would recommend this place to anyone.

Hi Scott,
You may want to take a look at Il Porcellino Tourist House:
http://www.hotelporcellino.com/

Very clean, economical and very friendly staff.

Buon Viaggio,
BC

We loved the Residenza il Villino in Florence last year. It is between 110E and 135E for a double and is located very close to the Duomo. We could actually see the dome from our room. Our room was charming and the owners couldn't have been nicer or more helpful.

Well, i found this on expedia, and it got good reviews there, fodors, and tripadvisor, so i've gone ahead and booked a quadruple for 130euro/night march 13-16.

www.hotelportafaenza.it
crossing my fingers.


any thoughts on horel porta faenza

A friend stayed at Relais il Campanile on Via Riscoli, web address [email protected]. Said it was next to the Duomo, like a B&B and wonderful. Very reasonable, too

My husband and I are staying at the Hotel Casci in May. Our daughter stayed there several years ago when she was in undergrad studying abroad and was there a month (enough time to give her a real flavor). She can't say enough about the family, accommodations and location(close to the Duomo). In fact, when she found out that we were planning to stay there for four days of our trip, she decided to go, too! It might be slightly higher than you are looking for (just slightly) as USD are concerned, but I can vouch for this one.

http://www.florenceby.com/proconsolo/index.html
http://www.proconsolo.com/index_eng.asp

Here are two websites for residenza Procolsolo. The first site is on parisby.com and has great info and pictures. The second link is to the B&B itself. It's lovely, right behind the Duomo and well within your budget. I spent 6 nights in Nov '05 and will definitely return.

Be very careful to avoid the area around the San Lorenzo market when booking a less expensive hotel. We learned that all that stuff being sold from the carts in the market place is loaded up and taken to some overnight location. At five in the morning they start rolling them through the streets in that area to set up for the day and the noise is horrendous. Not a nice area to stay. The hotel where we stayed was no bargain either.

Just want to mention that I also stayed at Hotel Giada last Sept, right smack in the middle of the San Lorenzo leather market. I never heard a thing early in the morning when they were setting up. Nothing fancy about the hotel, but it was perfectly fine and had an elevator, not always easy to find in that price range.

Goldnsoft....

I apologize for not answering your question on February 1 about the Millhouses, it wasn't until just today that I accidentally found it while going back over older postings. I don't know how I missed it. Do you still need some advice? If so, repost any questions you might have on the Greece Forum. That way I'll be sure to see them. Again....sorry