Hi all, <BR>Thanks all for the great insights on this forum...I've gotten lots of good info for my upcoming trip. I'm trying to make hotel reservations (moderate price) in Florence for the beginning of July! Does any one have experience (good or bad) in any of these hotels: Casci, Porcellino, Aprile, Pendini, Pensione Accademia? Any input would be appreciated, or other good hotels you have stayed in. <BR>Many thanks! <BR>

Good evening, Virginia <BR>Sorry to say have not stayed at any of <BR>the hotels which you listed. Can only <BR>recommend the CONTINENTAL, Lungarno Acciaioli,2, which is a four star hotel <BR>with 61 rooms located at the Ponte Vecchio north end. Have stayed here <BR>about eight times since 1978 and have <BR>been entirely satisified with the hotel <BR>and also its location. Out daughter <BR>stayed at the Corona d'italia, last <BR>year and was also satisified with it. <BR>Richard of La Grange Park, Il... <BR>

Hi Virginia, <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Hotel Casci in Florence last September, and liked it very much. It's a clean 2-star in a great location - 2 blocks from the Duomo or San Lorenzo. We were able to walk everywhere. There's a small elevator to get you & the baggage up to the lobby. The folks who run it are very nice, and will help you out if you need. They have a web site at http://www.hotelcasci.com. Several folks on this forum have stayed there also, and have spoken well of it.

I agree with the previous post. We stayed at Hotel Casci last March and enjoyed a very large room, nice breakfast, and friendly staff. Nicely located and well decorated. We also had them do our laundry. The staff was so nice infact, that they gave us a lovely picture Calendar of Florence when we checked out. A nice touch and a nice keepsake.

Hi, Virginia, <BR>I stayed in Casci last September and loved it very much. It is very clean, and conveniently located. The hotel staff are very friendly and go extra miles to help their guests. I highly recommend it. <BR> <BR>Betty

Hi Virginia, <BR>My husband & I met our daughter in Florence in April and stayed our first night at the Hotel Casci. It's run by a family and they were so very nice. The rooms were very neat & beds comfy. They had a nice breakfast & were even so kind as to store our daughter's extra luggage (she was in Florence for a sememster) while we traveled for a week through the country. We stayed with them the last night and they called for a taxi the next morning to take us to the airport. It only cost us around $100 and was well worth it! It's a little treasure. Have a wonderful time. <BR>Deb

Just returned from 3 weeks in Italy and the Pendini in Florence was a beautiful gem. The staff were wonderful and the location was right on the piazza Republica, which our room overlooked. Very clean and a terrific location. They have a website and they will make advance reservations at the museums.

Virgina: <BR> <BR>Last year (Apr '99), spent 2 nights in Florence at the Il Porcellino. It was very pleasant & clean accomadations - but it's located in the corner overlooking an outdoor marketplace (think it's nuovo mercato?). And so it was a bit noisy, late at night & early in the morning. Location was good for walking to everything in Florence - the proprietor was a lovely young woman -I really did like the room, but for me, the noise factor, would preclude my recommendation. <BR>Also I was there in April, so air conditioning wasn't an issue - not sure whether or not they have a/c.

for hugh. <BR>