Any suggestions for moderately priced hotels in Florence -- or hotels to avoid, for that matter? I'd love a good location, of course <BR>--Margaret

Margaret: <BR> <BR>We stayed at a wonderful hotel in Florence last summer. Centrally located, but on a quiet street. We could walk to everything in the main historic areas downtown. The place? The Hotel Morandi alla Crocetta. I could look up addresses, etc. but I don't know it off-hand. Our room was terrific, air-conditioned (very important in July, anyway), and as I remember reasonably priced. Probably the best place we stayed over our two weeks in Italy. Good luck in your search.

Hi, <BR> <BR>Last year we stayed at a fantastic hotel called Loggiato di Servetti. You can find other recommendations about it on this site and also info on the internet. Just type in the name. It's located in a quiet square and was built in the 14th century, I think. If you want to stay in a little bit of history and get a real feel for Florence, I highly recommend it. It's a little more pricey (350,000 lire for a double) but worth the splurge IMO. This year we are staying in the Hotel Splendor in San Marco square, nearby the Hotel Loggiato. The price was more reasonable for a family of 3. Get the travel book "Cheap Sleeps in Italy". It's a great book with plenty of detail about the best places to stay. <BR> <BR>Denise

<BR>I second you, Denise. I stayed at the Loggiato dei Servitti just a few weeks ago and it was great. Friendly staff, nice buffet breakfast, and it's on a quiet square that's just about as central as you can get in Florence. The hotel seemed loaded with Florentine atmosphere and was quiet at night. The view from my room included the dome of the Duomo as well as the dome above Michelangelo's David at the Accademia just across the way. I first learned of the hotel by doing a search of this forum.

Margaret, <BR> <BR>I don't know what your price range is, but I can recommend the Hotel Casci on Via Cavour, about 1.5 blocks north of the Duomo, before Piazza San Marco. It was very clean and comfortable, and about $100/night or so for a double with buffet breakfast. It's only a 2 star, so it's not the most luxurious place in town. Others on this forum have stayed here as well, and have recommended it. They have a web site at "www.hotelcasci.com". The location is terrific!

Hi Margaret, I'm voting for Loggiata dei Servitti (or something like that). It was recommended to me and I recommend it to others. It is centrally located and IT IS QUIET, which is difficult in Italy. But those walls are like 3 feet thick so they block out all sound. A great deli was down the street so we sometimes loaded up there, ate in the room and strolled in the evening to get some dessert.

Hi Margaret: <BR> <BR>I am going to be in Florence in March and will be staying at the Hotel Pendini, Via Strozzi,2. This hotel is a three star hotel, founded in 1879, family owned and run right neat the Piazza della Repubblica. Our double bed room is approx $159.00 a nite, twin is about $130. and includes full breakfast and the tax. You can see pictures of this hotel on the internet at www.dada.it/pendini/hotel.html <BR> <BR>Have a great trip.

You may want to check out the Hotel Hermitage and Hotel Belletini. They have had great recommendations. The Belletini has a great review for the price. <BR> <BR>DEnise

Dear Margaret: Charles and I had a wonderful time in Florence. We were there in the early part of December, so it was off season, but what a wonderful place to visit and shop. When we arrived by train in Florence, we were approached by a very friendly guy and he showed us a photo of a place to stay. We walked away of course, but it was late, we were tired, and not too sure where we were going. So, we said okay, we'll follow you. Let's take a look. He said it was his sister's home, the room was clean and quiet. So we followed him through the dark streets of <BR>Florence with all our luggage, sashaying between all the motor scooters, ducking cars, etc., etc., and ended up at this place called the Antonia "House." We climbed the stairs and the owner greeted us. By the way, the owners don't speak much English, but their children do. The room is really delightful. One large bed, a couch, a bath complete with bidet, a table, a tv, and a small frig. Perfect for stashing those late night snacks of great cheap wine and excellent cheeses. <BR>We paid about 100,000 lira per night, which at the time equaled about $60-$65 U.S. It was the best deal we got on our whirlwind trip of London, Paris, Florence and Rome. Practically everything in Florence is within walking distance --- just be careful to watch for the motor scooters and teeny cars that don't stop for you. You have to run with the crowd. Right across the street from this place is a fabulous bakery. It's located in a neighborhood; there's a laundromat about two doors down. Restaurants (good) right in the area; and great places to stop for coffee or spirits after dinner and on the way back to get some shuteye. It's only about a block too from all the street vendors that are open during the days selling leather jackets (all prices), purses, belts, other collectibles of Florence. It took us about 15 minutes to walk to the Duomo and other sights. This room, they call it a pensione, was a great place to stay. The home owners do not bother you at all, and you don't have to bother them. As far as a good location in Florence, I can't really think of a bad one. We found that everything, all the sights in the book and sights not in the book, are within walking distance. Here's the information on this place: Antonia House, 50123 Firenze, <BR>Tel/Fax 055 2396247 <BR> <BR>Oh, by the way, on Friday and Saturday nights, it's really not quiet because the youth of Firenze are out on your street with their motorscooters chatting away about their exploits of the evening. However, it was kind of fun to open the windows and check out what was going on. A bit of Florenceicana. <BR> <BR>Ciao.