Does anyone have some reasonably priced (ie less than $200/night) recommendations for hotels or B&B's in Rome and Florence. We want to be in a "safe neighborhood" but still centrally located to things so we don't have to spend all day on public transportation. Also, are double beds in Italy really equal to Queen beds in the States? Seems like everything is listed as a double bed but they look pretty big on photos I have looked at. We would also prefer a place with air conditioning since we will be there in September and I know it can still be pretty warm that time of year. Appreciate any suggestions.

Search above for " Rome hotels" and you will find pay dirt.
Then same for Florence---it has been answered 476 times.

There are so many great b&b's in Florence. If you don't mind climbing a few flights of stairs, this one is literally in the piazza with the duomo:
http://www.soggiornobattistero.it We loved it.

PS: Don't be too sure about September weather in Italy. That is the month it starts to change. Bring a jacket just in case.

Apartment rentals tend to be a little less expensive and are a roomier accommodation than hotels, but it's not everyone's cup of tea. If you want to have a look, check out sleepinitaly.com, rentvillas.com or ownersdirect.com to name a few.

For some general info check out revealedrome.com and tichitaly.com along with Trip Advisor.

go a lot always get best deals in your budget

betterbidding.com like Intercontinental Ville Roma

ON TOP OF the spanish steps 5* picked it up recently

$180/nt AWESOME value

similar deals in Florence

booking.com otel.com if you do not want to bid and pay more

In florence www.hotelcasci.com

We are just finishing up a three day stay at Hotel Casci. I can not say enough about the hotel. Not fancy but, very nice non the less and great people running the hotel. Extremely clean, and within walking distance of everything we wanted to see.

I haven't stayed here yet, [I'm booked in for 3 nights in May] but the owners have been extremely good at helping me plan my stay:

http://www.residenzacasanuova.it/

it's not right in the centre, but near enough - a 10 minute walk to the Duomo - and the rooms look lovely.

Agree with Ann1 on the weather in September. We were in Tuscany and Rome from 9/13 to 10/1 last year and did not have any very warm weather. We wore sweaters most of the time. In Rome we had a couple of very cool days.

Second the recommendation of Hotel Casci.

in late October we had lovely warm weather in florence - we ate outside every night.

be prepared for anything.

We stayed at Rezidenza Il Villino. It was amazing. Nice rooms. We had a family of 5 and were very comfortable. It was clean. The owners were so wonderful. Breakfast was simple but all that we needed. I would go again and stay there in a heartbeat. The owners gave us restaurants to eat at and they were the best meals we had in Italy...all family trattorias that the locals go to. This was a very affordable accomodation. Love! Love! Loved it!

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