We will be spending a weekend in Florence in January and are wondering what is a nice, centrally located area to stay in Florence. Any hotel suggestions (for approx $120/night) would be very helpful.<BR>Thanks!

Location is not nearly as important in Florence as in some other cities. Best bang for the buck is what you want. start with Fodors rants'n'raves and www.venere.com<BR><BR>And review this thread:<BR><BR>"Best part of Florence to stay"<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=34368580<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

We stayed at the Madonna Inn - it was reasonable, close to the Duomo and had a nice outdoor patio. It also has private parking if you have a car. Enjoy!

We stayed at the Balestri which is next to the Arno River and about a block and a half walk to the Uffizi. Our room looked out on to the river and so we had a wonderful view and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. I think the rate this summer was around $200 but you might check the rates for January.

Florence is my favorite Italian city.<BR>It's a great hub for day trips, and it's glorious to just wander around there for days. It is very small, so you can walk from one end to the other quickly and easily (it took us only one very leisurely hour to get from Ponte Vecchio to the train station on foot).<BR><BR>Since Florence is the springboard for so much, and it is so small, a hotel near the train station is ideal.<BR>Here are two very reasonable and reliable favorites:<BR><BR>http://www.venere.com/it/firenze/lecascine/<BR>http://www.venere.com/it/firenze/machiavellipalace/rooms.html.en<BR><BR>I hope the links work.<BR>They are Hotel Le Cascine and Hotel Machiavelli Palace. <BR>We stayed at Machiavelli this past February, and saw the Duomo dome out our room window. Gorgeous!<BR><BR>Have fun!

topping<BR>