We are headed to Italy--Venice, Florence and Rome--in February and need hotel recommendations in the $175 or under range. We don't have a lot of time in each city and don't want to spend a lot of our time in taxis, so prime location is a priority. Any suggestions?

In venice, the Hotel Flora near San Marco. You will love this place. Very venetian, but english at the desk. Convenient to everything, and for you cat lovers, cats living in the ivy on the wall. And in Rome, Hotel Genio a block from Pza. Navona (see recent discussion of Genio). By the way, dining in Venice - Da Fiore (you'll need to telephone for a reservation!). Take the water taxi in from San Marco Airport, and the Flora is five minutes walk from the landing area on Grand Canal. Ciao, L

We recently stayed at the Metropole in Venice near St. Marks. It was lovely and had a dock so that we did not have to haul luggage. Breakfast was good. Bathroom floors were heated marble. Refrigerator located in room. I'm not sure that I would stay there with young children.

I had a good experience at the Albergo Cesari in Rome, near the Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, shopping. Other folks on the board have recommended it as well. You can find them at www.venere.com.

Definitely have a recommendation for Florence...Hotel Pierre...it's wonderful. I stayed there in October...it's in a great location...right in the middle of everything and the staff is great! Go to remarhotels.com and check it out. I got a good rate when I stayed there...don't know how much it is in February. I booked through www.hotels.com I am very picky about hotels and the location they are in and the Hotel Pierre was perfect! I am a female that travels alone and I won't stay anywhere else but the Hotel Pierre when I return to Florence!

Correction...I booked through www.hotelbook.com