Hi
returning to Florence after a number of years. Last time I stayed at the Hotel J & J which was very nice but has no elevator due to its historic classification. Otherwise attractive and convenient hotel. Tried the Brunelleschi; no availability for my dates.
Loggiato dei Serviti came to mind, though reviews are mixed on tripadvisor.
Comments from recent stays at either hotel would be much appreciated.
Looking to spend not more than 350 euro per night for a room or suite for three.

HI, Elaine. I can recommend a very cute little hotel in the center of Florence, near the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio (sp?), called the Relais Cavalcanti. Its rates are less than 350 EU for a triple. It has an elevator, but there are 21 steps to climb first before you reach it. Although the girls came to the front door and helped us with our bags on those steps.

http://www.relaiscavalcanti.com/english/history.htm

Here are my notes about the Relais Cavalcanti:

"We took a short cab ride to the Relais Cavalcanti. a very charming little 'hotel', at Via Pellicceria, 2. It occupies one floor of a building located near the Uffizi gallery, in a very good central location.

Because my daughter had just finished her semester in Florence, she was able to recommend her favorite location in town for lodging.

The Relais Cavalcanti building has been in the same family's ownership for 100+ years, the owner/manager of the new-ish Relais is Francesca. She said she inherited this one floor of the building, so she recently renovated it to create a little hotel.

It's relatively new, with beautiful tile bathrooms, showers, etc. The rooms are very charming, and good-sized.

You have the feeling of entering a very nice, private Italian home, when you unlock the Relais door and smell the potpourri set out on the beautiful tables in the hallway and entry way. It has a small elevator and a/c, too.

No breakfast is served, but even better I think is that they have a beautiful little dining room/kitchen that is open 24/7 for guests. You have always available the makings for coffee, hot chocolate and tea, plus containers of pre-wrapped pastries and dessert cakes. That's about as much as you get in any Italian B&B for breakfast, and this way you can serve yourself whenever.

One evening we bought wine, cheese, bread, and fruit and enjoyed our own private time in this beautiful room.

The only thing to be aware of at Relais Cavalcanti is that the first floor of the building is the Old Stove Irish pub. The good news is that it's a decent little place for panini, and has free wi-fi. However, it attracts a lot of students and young people, so it is quite noisy into the early morning hours.

Our room window was directly above the pub's patio, with a nice view of adjoining rooftops. The double windows, plus the wooden shutters, can block out about 90 percent of the noise from the pub below. I found that I could also turn on the a/c fan in our room, which would then totally cover any outside noise.

Francesca also cautions her prospective guests that she does not staff a 24/7 front desk. She is there during posted hours, mostly till 6 p.m., and has an emergency number on the door. But she is careful to tell guests that hers is not a hotel with full-services at night-time. I highly recommend the Relais Cavalcanti."

sounds like quite the charmer!
Thanks for that suggestion, will add it to my Florence file, but this time around I'm looking for more in the way of hotel services.

I have stayed at the Plaza Lucchesi in Florence many times and it is really nice. It is right across from the Arno river and down the street from the Ponte Vecchio. You can look across the river and see beautiful scenery. It is really centrally located, we walked everywhere. It has an elevator and the staff is very friendly and helpful. It does have some steps when you enter but the staff helps with bags and whatever you are carrying. The rooms are big and very bright. It also has a nicely furnished restaurant for breakfast and whatever. If you try it I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

My favorite hotel in Florence is Antica Torre Tournabuoni for wonderful accommodations and superb location. It is small though and not full service.

I also really enjoyed the Westin Excelsior, the Berchielli (older but great location and largish rooms) and San Gallo Palace (4x) though the location of the latter is out of the true center. You might also check out the Sofitel and Hotel De La Ville.

I'd tried the Tournabuoni, they can't accommodate us. The Berchielli sounds interesting (we're picky about location) and I will check it out. thanks

checked on the Berchielli,close to Ponte Vecchio but it's not grabbing my interest. The De la Ville has mixed reviews on tripadvisor. Excelsior is more than we want to spend in Florence.
thanks

Maybe http://www.hoteldegliorafi.it/?

The De La Ville gets 4.5 stars on TA and is rated 27 of 552. Personally, I would consider that a very good rating.

I have visited the Albergotto and the Orto di Medici as well and they are nice hotels. Last year we stayed in the Aethaneuam for a week and had a great stay.

I've never stayed at the ones you're interested in, but for what it's worth, I had a lovely stay here last April: http://italiancollection.com/en/la-casa-del-garbo.html

The staff really made the place, they were soooo accommodating! The location is fantastic and the rooms are lovely too, and it was actually rather affordable. Happy hunting!

I know the De la Ville had a high overall score, but some of the specific individual criticisms concerned me. Having chosen a couple of highly-rated TA and fodors hotels in the past and then being sorely disappointed, I'm a little wary of average ratings. I try to read between the lines, and gauge my own probable opinion.
Just checked on La Casa del Garbo, they don't have availability for my dates. Thanks,though.
Will check the Athaeneum.

Understood about ratings on TA.

I use them a lot and find them to be more on target in some areas than others. For instance, Mexico resort reviews are almost worthless IMO especially when it comes to all inclusives but I have really good luck with Europe and Canada. I also use VirtualTourist.com and others.

And I have posters on TA whose opinions I value and others whose I do not, so that helps a bit as well!

Have you read the posts in the user forums? Very helpful.

In my searches, I came across the Monna Lisa and I've booked a suite there. www.monnalisa.it

That looks spectacular. Please report back, ok?

yep, and to continue my dithering, I'm also inquiring at the hotel J.K. Place in Florence, there's not a bad review that I've seen.
I don't know why I'm so indecisive about Florence, but I'm concerned about pleasing my T.C.s as well.

How about the Albani? I do not care for the location of the Monna Lisa personally. Have you read the reviews? Not so great on this property.

Yes, and for that reason, we've booked accommodations at
www.jkplace.com Hotel J.K.Place. It seems to be universally liked.
Done!!!!

Have a fabulous trip!

thanks, and to all for the replies