Florence -Overwhelmed...
 

Am researching a trip to Florence with 5 people [all related two couples 1 college daughter]. Looking at apartment rental vs hotel ....but really am getting confused.<BR><BR>1. April- mosquitos?<BR>2. Will i regret not having an outside terrace?<BR>3. How do i compare rental rates w/ stars in hotel?<BR>thanks<BR>bkf

Unless you are staying a week you probably wouldn't need an apt. Balcony is not essential there. It's noisy near any busy street due to mopeds. Three nights in Florence is sufficient.

How long will you be staying. If for a week then I recommend an apartment. Don't bother comparing rental rates and stars. The star system for hotels is really ridiculous IMO. Mainly a hotel gets stars for the things they have. SO take two hotels, one a beautiful old villa with lovely gardens, frescoed ceilings, top of the line everything and another hotel with basic cube style rooms, no personality, a conference room, parking and a gym. The former gets 2 stars and the latter 4. Me I would prefer to have atmosphere over a meeting room.<BR><BR>Check out www.slowtrav.com for great rental reviews. and their message board that has a wealth of knowledge.

bkf--<BR>rental rates and stars are apples and oranges.<BR>Hotel star ratings are done by the gov't and each star has minimum requirements. Ratings require things like certain square footage of the lobby, number of rooms with private bath, restaurant on the premises or not, elevator and a/c or not, etc.<BR>Some hotels choose not to apply for more stars to keep their expenses and taxes down. Note that stars have nothing to do with location, ambiance, decor, quality of the breakfast, and other subjective factors.<BR><BR>If you do a search here on Florence hotel, or go to www.venere.it/ you can find many hotels in all price ranges, and with some descriptions. Those that have been posted here will have comments pro or con.<BR><BR>I have a file on Florence; if you'd like to see it, email me.

The previous posters have given you excellent advice. If you decide to go the apartment route, check out windowsontuscany.com<BR>I rented a Florence apartment from them in May. A great apartment, exactly as represented on their web site, no hassles, no trickery, and an english speaking rep (an American, actually) who met us when we arrived at the apartment. No, I don't work for them or own any of their stock. Good luck! Florence is spectacular!

3 nights is sufficient for Firenze? I have been there on 3 separate occasions and I still have not seen everything. I wouldn't spend less than 5 days there.<BR><BR>You may not regret having a terrace, but a beautiful view warms the heart.

April in Florence is still too cold for both mosquitoes and terraces. You can do without both ^_^.

I think you will be better off with a few hotel rooms. You don't need an apt. b/c you won't be in it very much. If you were in the countryside, I would suggest one. Otherwise, just get some rooms.

I stayed in a villa with pool and view.<BR>But I don't like noice.Can see at<BR>www.genie.it/utenti/carlo.nocentini.<BR>Has even reviews on slowtravel.com