HAS ANYONE STAYED AT THE HOTEL BALESTRI IN FLORENCE? MY HUSBAND AND I ARE GOING TO FLORENCE IN MAY AND THE LAST TIME WE WERE THERE WE STAYED AT PITTI PALACE WHICH IS NEXT TO PONTE VECHIO IT WAS NICE BUT TOO CROWDED, THIS TIME WE WANT TO TRY THE BALESTRI BUT THE ROOMS LOOK OLD AND RUN DOWN IN THE PICTURE IN THE INTERNET. ANY ADVISE?

Do not know this one, but one that we used in Firenze and were quite happy with is Hotel Machiavelli see more at<BR><BR>http://www.hotelmachiavelli.it/

Message: Best rating by the most respondents on Fodors Rants'n'Raves and my all time favorite hotel!<BR><BR>BEACCI TORNABUONI<BR>Via Tornabuoni 3, Florence 50123, Italy <BR>Phone: 055/212645 <BR>Fax: 055/283594 <BR><BR>This is perhaps the classic Florentine pensione. Set in a 14th-century palazzo, it has old-fashioned style and just enough modern comfort to keep you happy. The agreeable sitting room has a large fireplace, the terrace offers a tremendous view of some major Florentine monuments, and the wallpapered rooms are inviting. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights, the dining room, serving Tuscan specialties, opens for guests and others. www.BThotel.it. 28 rooms. Restaurant, bar, parking (fee). AE, DC, MC, V. Meal plans available.

Using all CAPS on the internet is the equivalent of SHOUTING. SO be quiet and use lowercase letters.<BR><BR>

<BR>We enjoyed Hotel Casci<BR>www.hotelcasci.com<BR><BR>We stayed there last summer. Great value. Filling breakfast. The staff was courteous. Rooms clean & comfortable. Many recommendations from this board on it. Did not disappoint. A decent walk to Ponte Vecchio (relatively speaking, as most everything in Firenze is close)<BR><BR>have fun,<BR>chris