ITALY -- need help with accommodations
 

Message: I'm going to Italy in late may / early June and I would really appreciate any suggestions on hotels in Venice, Florence, the Amalfi Coast (Sorrento or Positano) and Rome. I really don't want to pay more than $150/night in most cities. Maybe a more chic hotel on the Amalfi coast -- but no more than $250/night. Hotels, B&B's, family-run inns, etc. are all fine. I would just like the hotels to be in the city center as I won't have a car. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks!

In Florence, we stayed at Relais Uffizi - a perfect choice for us! The location was ideal, staff friendly and helpful and our room was perfect. I'm afraid I can't remember the price but it seemed reasonable. Venice - we stayed at Hotel Violin d'Oro. It wasn't as nice as our Florence choice but we found the accommodations in Venice to be pricier all the way around. Again, we went for location. The staff was very helpful - even loaned us rubber boats every afternoon when the tides flooded all the areas when out walking. Hope this helps.
Lisa

Hi Chris,

Is that for a single?

We very much enjoyed a week in Praiano (6 km E of Positano on the bus route)at the Le Sirene - rm 12 had a large balcony and a terrific view.

www.lesirene.com

A year ago September my wife and I biked from Venice through Florence to Lucca. In Venice we stayed at the Hotel Cristallo out on the Lido. I would recommend it. You can take the Valportte from the airport to the Lido and stay at the Hotel for about 100 Euros which will include a big breakfast in the morning. Buy yourself a 24 hour or more, ferry pass allowing you to ride all the boats in Venice. Search the internet for Hotel Cristallo website and email them directly. You may even wish to negotiate prices. We did, successfully.
In Florence we stayed at The Antonia House which is near the train station at Faenza Street and Via Nazionale for 60 Euros per night. No breakfast but a nice clean room with a new bathroom and a refrigerator in our room. The owner has 3 or 4 rooms like this that he rents out.
I suggest that you try to get to Cinque Terra while you are near Florence. It s fantastic if you can hike it.
GaryH

For Rome, I would highly recommend the Hotel San Carlo. Fax them and let them know your budget, and they'll hook you up with a great room in a wonderfully-located hotel for a really good price.

Buon Viaggio,
BC

The suggestions are great! Please keep them coming. The room is for two people.

Hi chris,

If you wouldn't mind paying only about 60E for a double. The B&B Peterson provides very clean, basic accomodation with AC that works and modern plumbing about 10 min walk from the train station in Florence.

www.bedinflorence.it

See my trip report for further details.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

this Italy superthread may be of some help

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34533730

Pensione La Calcina in Venice
www.lacalcina.com

Lovely little 3-star, about a 10 min. walk from San Marcos, nice breakfast included, in price range you're seeking. Do a search, I'm not the only Fodors poster who love the place.

In FLorence, check out Hotel Casci for great value. www.hotelcasci.com

I second suze's suggestion in Venice. We had room 38 which has a large terrace and a partial view of the Guidecca canal for 125 euros last August.

In Positano, I can recommend Albergo Miramare -- we had a superior double (203) with large terrace AND fantastic view for 230 euros. They also offer a 2 1/2 hour complimentary boat trip with your stay.

Hello! We are paying 80 Euros per night in Florence at Il Bargellino- www.bargellino.com. We are also going in early June.

We were deciding between that and Di Mori B&B, www.bnb.it/deimori

Both are small, family-run B&Bs, and have received good reviews here and on Tripadvisor.com.

Good luck! :)

In Firenze, check out Residenza il Villino, a lovely B&B under 150/nt and Soggiorno Antica Torre, if you do not mind steps and want to be very central.

In Rome, Domus Julia would be a good choice in your price range and I have also heard good things about Daphne Veneto who is doing a refurb now but will be open for business in Feb. Or, pay a litel more for a full service hotel in a great location and check in at the Albergo Cesari near Pantheon Square.

In Florence we stayed at Il Bargellino, a wonderful small family owned hotel. It is quiet, lovely rooms, very friendly and helpful owners. Rates are very reasonable.

I think Chris has come and gone by now..this thread is from 2004!

I hate it when that happens! Oh, well, there's good information here anyway. I'm planning a trip to Italy for 2009 and I'm information gathering.

We stayed very close to the Duomo for our one night in Florence.....walking distance also to the train station. Hotel Centrale, very nice air conditioned room and lovely breakfast room. Location could not be beat. $ 270 for a triple room and that was with a 5% discount for paying cash. Double room would obviously be less.