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-   -   Hotel Reservations in Florence... (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/hotel-reservations-in-florence-603298/)

ilovetotravel29 Mar 28th, 2006 05:47 PM

Hotel Reservations in Florence...
 
I found a great little b&b in Florence that has accepted my reservation and the price seems like a steal!

But they did not ask for credit card to hold the reservation. I have read on here that for many hotels, cash is preferred more than credit card.

Other than just confirming through email, should I have a back-up hotel in case they are overbooked? It is a small b&b and was told that no one actually stays in the b&b (no front desk person) and that clients are greeted at their arrival and given a key and if we need assitance, there is a guest house further down the road that we can go to.

The rooms look great! I guess I have just always been pampered by the whole reserving a room with credit card thing that when not asked for one, I feel a little odd!

Also, on my last trip, though my room was previously confirmed (different city, different hotel), they lost my reservation and put me up at a sister hotel (which turned out to be a lot better!) so I worry a bit more about my reservations now.

Thank you for your advice and comments if you have experienced this as well.

sandi_travelnut Mar 28th, 2006 05:57 PM

what's the name of the B&B?

viaggio_sempre Mar 28th, 2006 06:02 PM

When did you reserve for?

And how many nights?

VS

viaggio_sempre Mar 28th, 2006 06:14 PM

methinks you've been off buying camera memory.

ilovetotravel29 Mar 28th, 2006 06:19 PM

sorry, 4 nights in the middle of may.

ilovetotravel29 Mar 29th, 2006 06:51 PM

I guess I am shocked because it is 45 euro a night for a room with a bathroom ensuite! I am sooo happy!

They said my reservation is confirmed. They did not mention my needing a credit card, and they jast said that I would need to pay the day before I leave since I will be leaving very early in the morning and no one will be there to help me check out.

It sounds a lot like a rooming house since there is no one to really call or anything like that. But I think I will be able to make do on my own, ya know?
I am not the sort that ever orders room service or anything. But I do like to watch tv....but ha! there will be plenty of tv to watch when I come back home.

Yay!

Betsy Mar 29th, 2006 06:53 PM

...And the name of the B&B is?

ilovetotravel29 Mar 29th, 2006 06:58 PM

b&b cassia. Yay! They say it is near b&b petersons. And I have to thank a wonderful fodorite for the tip!

MaureenB Mar 29th, 2006 07:25 PM

That's a very low rate for mid-May in Florence, isn't it? 45EUR for a double en suite, with breakfast? I'm paying 105EU for a double ensuite w/breakfast in mid-May, and I think that's a really good price for a B&B. Have you researched this B&B on tripadvisor.com? Did a trusted fodorite recommend this particular B&B?
I guess I'd be leary of no credit card to confirm also. Even B&Bs that don't accept credit cards for payment, usually require one to hold a room.
Sorry to be a downer, but I do think I'd check into it a bit more. Internet photos can be deceiving...

kybourbon Mar 29th, 2006 07:43 PM

B&B Cassia is a sister hotel/B&B to B&B Peterson that Ira is always raving about. The prices are on their website www.bedinflorence.it. I'm sure you could post a question for Ira about whether he had to reserve with a downpayment or not.

sharon1306 Mar 29th, 2006 07:47 PM

We stayed at the Cassia last year, but we had given our credit card information to guarantee our reservation. Maybe they don't require it now? You should email them and ask them if its necessary. The B&B was really good for the price. Its just up the road from B&B Peterson, and run by the same people. Btw, they don't serve breakfast.

ilovetotravel29 Mar 29th, 2006 07:48 PM

OK, Will do!! :)

MaureenB Mar 30th, 2006 03:32 PM

It's interesting that they use the name "B&B", but they define it as "bed and bed", which is a bit misleading, don't you think? I'll bet most people assume "B&B" means breakfast is provided, and my not even check to find out that it is not.

mcnyc Mar 30th, 2006 04:48 PM

So it's just a B for bed?

Maybe the other B is for bedbugs ;)

ira Mar 31st, 2006 06:13 AM

Hi iL,

When we stayed at the Peterson, they did not ask for a CC or a deposit to confirm the reservation.

We paid the night before we left, in cash.

Please note that their website says, "Credit cards are not allowed".

There is a bank ATM on Viale Belfiore, just SE of Via Guido Monaco.

The Ancillottis are very nice people. Please say "hello" to them for me.

Hi MaureenB
>It's interesting that they use the name "B&B", but they define it as "bed and bed", which is a bit misleading, don't you think? <

It turns out that this is not unusual.

Also, they say on their website, "We do not serve breakfast but there is a cafeteria just outside the main building entrance".

((I))

MaureenB Mar 31st, 2006 06:53 AM

Hey, Ira-- your recommendation for the Peterson carries a lot of weight. I'm sure it's a nice little place. I just cringe when people aren't totally upfront in their marketing. Yes, the words are there, on their website, but let's face it-- not everyone out there is as smart as us fodorites! Not everyone reads the fine print. Thanks for the clarification.

Mimar Mar 31st, 2006 07:36 AM

Just to make sure, call the B&"B" a day or two before your arrival and reconfirm. Always a good idea.

ilovetotravel29 Apr 1st, 2006 06:01 AM

Thank you so much, Ira!! :)

Fibonacci2358 Apr 1st, 2006 06:08 AM

Maybe B&B means "Bed and Bath" to them ??


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