Hello All,
We are taking our first Italy trip and would love suggestions for the following cities and hotels...also would be open to any advice you may have???
-Bellagio, Lake Como - Hotel Florence or Hotel Belvedere?
-Florence - Hotel Aldobrandini or Hotel Pendini?
-Rome - Hotel Aberdeen, Albergo Santo Chiara or Hotel Pensione (Panda)?
-Sienna - Castel Bigozzi or Palazzo Ravizza?

Any sugguestions would be so appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Sarah

Sarah,

Try to visit www.tripadvisor.com and check out reviews about these hotels.

We love Santa Chiara and will return there in Oct. The location is GREAT!

I am not sure where you got these choices but they seem inconsistent.
At Bellagio--either is good.
In Florence, look at Orto di Medici or Tourist House Ghiberti
In Rome, Santa Chiara or Albergo Cesari
For Siena, Castel Bigozzi is rural and :20 from Siena but very nice. Ravizza is fine as is Piccolo Oliveta.

Good luck !

I agree with Bob... the choices seem a bit inconsistent but maybe you were trying to do more charming or less charming, depending on the city?

In Bellagio, both are lovely but I have stayed in the Hotel Florence a couple times and loved it. I have also stayed at Hotel Silvios (not as grand as the Florence but stunning views) and I would recommend dinner there when you go (especially if you like fish).

For Siena, have stayed in Palazzo Ravizza.. it also has very old world charm and a stunning view of the hillside overlooking their garden.

Rome is a much bigger and more expensive city... your dollar won't go as far. I can't remember where we stayed. I would pick a hotel based on the location you want to be... and unless you have unlimited budget you probably won't get the charm of the two previous hotels unless you're willing to pay for it.

Florence, I prefer the Hotel Beacci Tournabuoni to the Pendini, but it's more expensive. For Florence, I like a hotel that has some outdoor patio area, since I like to get away from the crowds. Is there a particular reason you've narrowed it down to those two hotels?

Good luck,
Kat

My husband and I thought that Hotel Belvedere was terrific...the rates were fair, the breakfasts were a treat, and the views were stunning. A caveat: skip the Belvedere's dinner and hit Silvio's, just about a mile away.