Hi Kleinjk - We just got back from a trip from Florence and Rome which was awesome and stayed at the Senato which we loved. Super nice and helpful front desk and the location cannot be beat. I think we were in room 207(?) which was a corner "suite" closest to the Pantheon - it was great! Loved the location b/c you can walk everywhere. From a noise perspective, it wasn't too bad b/c not very many scooters due to mostly pedistrians. Actually, we stayed at the Westin Excelsior in Florence which was lovely but our room overlooked the Arno river but we hadn't considered the street that runs along the river where the vespa's droves us crazy! Our favorite restaurant was Nino's which is close to the Spanish steps but on a surprisingly quiet street parallel to the main shopping street. If you are standing with your back to the base of the Spanish Steps looking at the fountain, you would go left (past Bennetton) to the next street. Our friend who lived in Rome for many years recommended it and he did not steer us wrong! The cannelloni is to die for! Make reservations though. On tours, we ended up on a Vatican and Vatican museum tour by default. We were wandering through the Vatican and overheard a english speaking guy explaining the Vatican so we tagged along as he said it was free. His name was Douglas and he was with "Icon" tours which is a art history group. He was excellent! Gives free tours of Vatican and then if you liked it, you could sign up for a tour of the museum which we did (mostly to avoid lines and to get the guide/tour group only short-cut out of the Sistine chapel at the end of the tour). We were so happy we took the tour as we would have wandered in the huge museum for hours without understanding - plus his explation of the Sistine Chapel was excellent! We also took a Scale Reale tour of ancient rome which was fabulous - had Tom Rankin (the founder) for our guide and he was terrific. He actually has moved on from running Scale Reale but still gives tours sometimes. We would not have understood what we were seeing at the Forum/ruins without Tom! It was a four hr tour and you can sign up on their internet sight.

We are back from Italy and loved the Antica Dimora in Florence. The rooms are very nice with good baths (showers with benches)all newly done and the staff was absolutely THE BEST! The buffet breakfast was excellent as was the evening nightcaps.

We didn't feel the location was too far out of the main tourist area. We were easily able to walk to all attractions - even all the way to the Ponti Vecchio - and one of our party has recently had a hip replacement. We had a friend who stayed at their other property, The Johlea, during the same visit and also liked it. We would highly recommend this hotel as a great value.

I think the Hotel J And J in florence is fairly expensive. Actually florence hotels can be expensive.

If you want a moderately priced hotel that is clean and pleasant, we stayed at the Hotel Silla. It's well-run and they were very helpful. Decent breakfast buffet. It's just on the south side of the Arno, but it's near the Ponte Alle Grazie bridge so it's convenient for walking to the Uffizi Gallery and to the Boboli Gardens and the Pitti Palace, and also a close walk to the Santa Croce area. You can also walk to the Duomo, just a bit further.

There are more luxurious hotels in Florence, but this one is a good deal.

Cant comment on the hotels mentioned but we splurged a little and stayed at the Hotel Lungarno, right on the Arno overlooking the Ponte Vechhio. Very quiet and brilliant location. Cant remember what we paid - I think I have deliberatly forgotten.

Just returned from 2 weeks in Italy. Started and ended the trip in Rome. Stayed at the Scalinata for the first few nights (my 2nd time there) and was very pleased with the place. It has a great location, wonderful staff, nice breakfast on the roof terrace. On the back end I stayed at the Raphael (for my 3rd time). I love the Piazza Navona and have had nothing but good experiences at the Raphael. The one thing I don't like about the Raphael is that breakfast is not included in the rate. It is a hefty add-on (I usually end up going into the Piazza and having something at a cafe.) I do really like the Raphael and don't understand why the reviews are so negative. It has not been my experience at all.

In Florence I have stayed at the J+J and like it very much - but it's not cheap. People really seem to like the Tornobuoni Beacci and Torre Guelfa but I haven't stayed at either.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time regardless of where you choose...

Dona

We just returned from Rome where we stayed seven nights at the Albergo del Senato. You can read my review dated 10-28-04 on Trip Advisor (www.tripadvisor.com) - I gave it a 5 rating. It was terrific. We loved our room, #608, with a side terrace; we could shut the door and keep out the piazza noise if we wanted, or leave it open and listen to the crowds and the music emanating from below. After two nights in Cortona, we returned to Rome for one more night before heading home and chose to stay away from the action, on the Aventine at the Villa San Pio - also a great pick, very quiet, large room, great marble bath, nice service. As for Florence, have only been there once and stayed at the Morandi alla Crocetta, on Via Laura about a 5-minute walk from the Duomo - liked it a lot.

Do not stay at the Albergo Del Senato. The location is nice but we had a horrible experience. Our room air conditioner did not work, they had minimal maid service, the shower did not work and when we asked for help or another room, they rudely put us off. Save yourself some money and stay elsewhere.

We had a very nice stay at the Albergo del Senato 2 months ago: Nice room, great view & location.

Front desk personnel were friendly and nice, maid service was fine, breakfasts were very good. We loved the rooftop bar, and had a drink there every evening before dinner to watch the sunset.

Our hairdryer in the room didn't work , so they replaced it immediately with a good, powerful hand-held one.

We had absolutely no complaints about the Del Senato.