Here's another vote for the Hotel Casci. You can't beat it's location in the center of Florence. We found it to be a cozy little hotel run by a very nice family who take pride in their business.

Robyn :)>-

Thanks for the further recommendations of the Hotel Casci. I'm thinking it sounds rather like the Hotel Paradise where we stayed in Bologna this year and where the people were lovely.

http://www.proconsolo.com/index_eng.asp

We loved the Residenza del Proconsolo right behind the Duomo. The rooms were very large and breakfast was served in the room. The hosts were so helpful. We were a party of 3 couples, and we felt like we were staying in a home in Florence.

It is not a luxury hotel, but it is very Italian. I love the very spare kinds of rooms with tile floors, and that is what you will find there.

We stayed at the Cascii a couple of years ago for 10 days. Great people, excellent location on Via Cavour. About two blocks from San Lorenzo Market or Duomo. Visit the best restaurant in Florence....ZaZa, right next to San Lorenzo............buon viaggio

We stayed at the Antica Dimora Firenze. This group has several properties in varying price ranges, but all should fit within your budget. The properties are beautiful, the staff is very helpful, the breakfasts are sumptious and there is even wine in the evenings. The locations should meet any needs in Florence. I would highly recommend any of the properties in this group.

http://www.johanna.it/struttura.php?...e&leng=eng

Thanks for the further suggestions, everyone. The Residenza del Proconsolo looks very cool but is POA between €100 and €140. (POA always puts me off a bit, but it does look nice.)

TC, confused by your suggestion as the name of the property doesn't seem to match the website ? The Antica Dimoro Firenze seems to be at www.anticadimorafirenze.it (POA between €120 and €150) whereas the website you give seems to be for the Johlea & Johanna Antiche Dimore Florentine (POA varying between €70 and €150 depending on property). Which have you stayed at, please ? And did it/they have a/c which doesn't seem to be mentioned on either site ?

Two web sites -- same B&B. The Antica Dimoro Firenze is the last picture box on the right hand side of the page that opens from the web address I gave. If you click on that photo, you are taken to another web page that is specifically about that particular property. If you look at the photos, they are the same as the photos from the web page that your address accesses. We stayed at the Antica Dimoro Firenze. It is owned and operated by the same people as the Johanna and Johlea and several other properties both in Florence and in Tuscany.

Hope this helps clarify.

Sorry...can't address A/C question. We were there in November, so had no need. I really don't recall. The staff is quite responsive to email, so I would suggest you contact them via that avenue.

Caroline: What is POA? (Price on average?)

Also, did you see this, posted on another thread?

http://www.residenzailcarmine.com/e_1.htm

Caroline, Upon looking at the web site again, each property <u>does</u> list &quot;air conditioning&quot;. You must look at the section entitled &quot;rooms&quot; for each property and in that there is a list of all amenities.

I have stayed at both of the following and loved each one - locations are superb.

www.hotelbellettini.com
www.hotelmedici.it

Calzaiuoli Hotel is located in the heart of Florence on Calzaiuoli Street which has restaurants and shopping. The hotel is tucked away and very quiet. The breakfast which was included was fabulous. Highly recommend.

Hi Kea5. I've stayed at the Hotel Casci several times and love it. The family who run the Casci are wonderful people who care about everyone who stays with them. They go out of their way to make your stay in Florence an amazing experience. The location can't be beat, just down the block from the Medici Palace, and another block to the breathtaking Duomo, and a short walk in the opposite direction to the Accademia to see David, and around a couple of blocks to the San Lorenzo market. The rooms are quiet (despite the building construction that was going on this past summer)and the breakfast is wonderful. I can highly recommend the Casci! Have a wonderful visit to Florence, so much to see and do, a favorite city.

Thanks everyone for the clarifications &amp; further suggestions.

eks, POA = price on application :-)

WWW.HOTELPORTAFAENZA.IT
We have stayed twice now at Hotel Porta Faenza. It is very close to the train station. It has a good breakfast buffet. We find it very convenient.

We took a day tour to San Gimignano with wine tasting at a winery and the pick up is just a couple blocks from the hotel.

brats, this is the one I said I was considering and someone pointed out reports here of bedbugs there two years ago. I assume you have stayed there more recently &amp; had no problem ? It had put me off.

caroline and kea, FWIW, two friends and I stayed at the Johanna 1 many years (8? 9?) ago. In those days anyway, it was not hotel-y, more like a pensione where you're very much left to your own devices. We didn't have any problem with that and our room, a triple, was large, bright, clean and quiet. I think the prices have gone up substantially, so perhaps now I wouldn't consider it the incredible deal I did then.

Also stayed at Morandi alla Crocetta about 5 years ago. Did not like it. Actually, I thought it was fine but I was traveling with my mom, who found it dreary, depressing and &quot;weird.&quot;

Have fun in Florence!

http://www.hotelmasaccio.eu

try to check , for me the best quality/rate in Florence , check the promotions !