My Dh, daughter and I will be in florence for 3 nights in august and 3 nights in sienna. Trying to weed through all of Fodors, Trip advisor and R. Steeves for best places to stay. I want to be close to main sights and not have too far a walk back at night (after walking all day).

I am looking at Hotel Davanzati or Plaza Lucchese in florence. Any advice. would like to keep the cost between 150-200 per night with breaksfast.. Davanzati is more than that range but would stay there if people think it is worth it.

For Sienna I am looking at a place called Borgo Grandaie. We willhave car so don't mind a short drive to city and this place has a pool for 8yr old.

Any advice would be helpful.

Did you know that Florence and Siena are only an hour apart. Is it worth packing up and moving to go an hour? Will you be doing day trips from Siena and is that why you have a rental car or will you be going other places in Italy? If not, you could save the expense of the car and take the bus from Florence to Siena. Sorry I can't help with the hotels but haven't stayed at these places.

I wouldn't want to stay in either city in August. If you find a place in the countryside with pool and AC, just do daytrips or will you only have the car for Siena (note - for search purposes Siena has one N)?

I love Hotel Davanzati. I've stayed there twice. It is in a great location and the people who run it are wonderful.

You have to take a a staircase to an elevator to get in the hotel. It is very nice and clean and they have an evening wine/prosecco reception with snacks. Internet in the rooms, also

I love the Hotel Cellai in Florence. It's about a 10 minute walk from the Duomo or the train station, but just outside the historic center, so it's relatively quiet. It's a lovely art-filled hotel with a great (English-speaking staff), good breakfast, rooftop terrace, and very nice, very clean rooms in your price range. I always stay there. If you go, say hello for me.

I also agree with the above advice: take a bus to Siena for the day, but don't bother packing and moving. A car is a big expense and not at all needed unless you plan to do a lot in the countryside. Parking is a nightmare in the cities, gas expensive, and driving in Italy will fray the nerves of any US driver.

I'd recommend adding San Gimignano or Lucca for a day trip from Florence (or Siena if you stay there). Have a great trip.

We were very happy with Plaza Lucchesi in Florence.

Our room was bright and comfortable, and the big window overlooked the Arno.

We were traveling with three other couples, and everybody was pleased with the hotel. We especially remember the breakfasts as beeing good, with made-to-order omelets.

In Siena we stayed at the Hotel Duomo, which is well located, very close the the Campo. No pool, however, so your choice outside the city may be best for an eight-year-old.

http://www.hotelduomo.it/en/index.php

Have a wonderful trip!

Byrd

I hesitate to add a reply only because it has been 3 years since my stay, but we loved the Plaza Lucchese! DH and I had a room overlooking the river while our friends' room was on the other side overlooking the Duomo. Both of us were very pleased with the accommodations, the location, the breakfast, the staff--it was all lovely. We look forward to staying here again when we return. We had no problems walking the city. Also, have you considered hiring a guide to drive you thru some of the surrounding countryside/towns? We did, saw five or six towns, ate at two fantastic restaurants, and the day was one of the best days of our trip, with no worries! I hope you have a fantastic trip and enjoy the planning!

My thoughts were to spend 3 nights in florence, no car, then drive to siena and use car for day trips to san gim , cortona and maybe chianti area. My husband has not been to Florence and wants to see it. I don't want to have to drive into florence 2 or 3 times so that is why the change of hotels.
I also like the idea of being outside of Siena which is where the hotel i mentioned is located. We can do day trips and then drive to Pisa. Leave car and hop train to CT for 5 nights. Comments? Any place i have to see?