I am trying to plan our first trip to Italy and I need help trying to decide between hotels. We are looking for hotels in the $150 a night range and somewhat centrally located. Has anyone stayed at these? Based on my research, I have put a star next to what seems appealing. Any other suggestions? I would love to hear any advice! Thank you!<BR><BR>Milan<BR>Hotel Hermitage<BR>Hotel Sanpi<BR>Milan Mariott*<BR>Melia Milano<BR><BR>Venice<BR>Al Sole Palace<BR>Carlton Executive*<BR>Best Western MonteCarlo*<BR><BR>Florence<BR>Grand Hotel Adriatico<BR>Curtatone<BR>Montebello Splendid*<BR>Golden Tulip Kraft Hotel*<BR>Starhotel Michelangelo<BR><BR>Rome<BR>Melia Rome Aurelia Antica<BR>Sheraton Roma*<BR>Crowne Plaza Rome St. Peters*<BR>Quality Park Hotel Del Massimi<BR><BR>

Message: Best rating by the most respondents on Fodors Rants'n'Raves:<BR><BR>I have stayed at both and loved both. The are both about a little more than $150 but not much. <BR><BR>BEACCI TORNABUONI<BR>http://www.bthotel.it/inglese/inglese.htm<BR><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. <BR><BR>and<BR><BR>ACCADEMIA VILLA MARAVEGE<BR>http://www.pensioneaccademia.it/index-e.html<BR><BR>Fondamenta Bollani, 1058 Dorsoduro, Venice 30123, Italy <BR>Phone: 041/521-0188 <BR>Fax: 041/523-9152 <BR><BR>A secret garden awaits just beyond an iron gate, complete with a mini Palladian-style villa, flower beds, stone cupids, and verdant trees - all rarities in Venice. Aptly nicknamed "Villa of the Wonders," this patrician retreat once served as the Russian embassy. Conservative rooms are outfitted with Victorian-era antiques and fine tapestry. It's built on a promontory where two side canals converge on the Grand Canal, which is well glimpsed from the garden. Book well in advance. 27 rooms. Bar. AE, DC, MC, V. <BR>

Jessica, I am not sure of your sources, but these choices read like a list from a travel agent that does not really know these cities. Sorry to be so candid, but you can do better by searching previous posts on this forum and reading rants and raves. Just enter a search criteria like " Florence hotels" above and see what you get.

I agree with Bob. These are not good hotel choices. Based on your schedule you really need to be centrally located since you will have so little time in each city.

I stayed at the Tornabouni a few years ago and felt it was overpriced, although the location is good. <BR><BR>Go to Venere.it for searching hotels.It's a great source, and then if one looks interesting come here and do a search on it.<BR><BR>And personally I'd skip Milan unless that's where you land. there's far more interesting things to see and do in your other destinations.

I stayed at the Monte Carlo in Venice this September and was very pleased with the accommodations. The hotel is located just off Piazza San Marco near a number of restaurants and shopping streets. The room was very good size with a modern bathroom, and the breakfast, while not sumptuous, was quite good. I would recommend the hotel.

I can see why one might feel the BEACCI TORNABUONI is pricey, but it's really not. Florence is the most expensive place to stay in Europe, so that jacks the price up and you do pay for the great location. Don't rule it out before you read about it in Raves and though searches. <BR><BR>Beth

Just curious, Beth. Didn't you cut and paste that from someone else's post?<BR><BR>Any reason to cut that person's name off of it?<BR><BR>Perhaps since it was cut and pasted from publicly available info on this site, it scarcely mattered.<BR>

No, I pulled it from rants and raves. I've have posted this info before to in a similar format. <BR><BR>Beth <BR><BR>