I have 2 reservations booked for the Hotel Casci or the Hotel California in Florence. Casci has outstanding reviews on TripAdvisor, but the rooms look somewhat run down. Hotel California has mixed reviews, but the rooms look terrific. They are both quoting me a rate of 150 euros/night.
Anyone have any experience with either??

I don't have experience with either hotel. However, I was at the Hotel Davanzati a couple of weeks ago and loved it. We paid 150 euro per night (Rick Steve's discount and we were there in March). The hotel is run by a wonderful family, it is very nice and clean (I'm picky about that), very central location, a nice breakfast in the morning and a thoughtful little happy hour around 6pm. They are very welcoming and helpful. That was important to me. I can't say enough good things about the place actually.

The rooms at the casci aren't what I would consider run down but they are simple and basic with little character, yet very clean, and from my experience, quiet. I can't speak for the california. What is most charming at the Casci is the family that runs it.

Hotel Europa, run by Gassim and Myriam, is right across the street from Hotel Casci. When Casci lost our reservation for our honeymoon in June 2004 they walked us across and got us set up in a suite at Hotel Europa. We loved it. Although we were initially quite annoyed at Hotel Casci for the lost reservation despite the 2 email confirmations we were holding in our hands (one from 6 months back, one from 2 weeks back when we re-confirmed) we ended up being really pleased to find Hotel Europa as it is much nicer than the Casci and the prices were the same or even slightly lower.

I would only stay at Europa if you stay in a suite or if you book the standard room with the wide balcony with a view of the Duomo. (this room is much more basic than the suite but I feel the balcony makes up for it and it's a bit cheaper than the suites). Their standard rooms are *very* much budget hotel-ish and the standard bathroom shower is pretty terrible, just soaks absolutely everything.

The Europa officially locks their door at 1 am -- we were actually locked out at 12:30 am with another couple who were standing out in front of the door when we got there. We walked across to the Casci to ask them to call and wake Gassim up after ringing the bell for 20 minutes. The family that runs the Europa is nice but the rooms are really basic and temper your expectations -- the reviews on Venere and tripadvisor raised our expectations too much, we heard the same from 2 other couples there.

We stayed in a massive suite when we were at Hotel Europa. Good to know about the standard rooms not being nice. Our suite was #39

A vote for the Casci Hotel here. Having stayed there for the second time about 3 weeks ago, we were once again extremely pleased. The hotel's location is marvelous, big buffet breakfast is good. Indeed the rooms are not luxurious and I would not recommend this hotel for a honeymooning couple who wish to be pampered and spoiled. However, the rooms are immaculate, the bathrooms are wonderful and the best part of this hotel is the marvelous family who run it. Cannot say enough good things about them. As is the case in most hotels I have been in, all over the world, they are constantly in a state of modernization, upkeep and remodeling. All you need to do is to make sure you request one of their "better" rooms or one that has recently been refurbished and I imagine it will be fine. I think the room we had was no. 10 and it was great. They have also recently installed new fire-proof doors which are quite massive and they made our stay exceptionally quiet. Have a great time!!

We stayed at Hotel Casci last June and I would agree with the previous poster. The location of these hotels is identical and Casci has better ratings. We asked them if they could do some laundry for us and when we returned that afternoon, it was on the bed and folded. Charge was only 8 euro. Can't say enough good things about the staff.

Want to try something *completely* different? Google or do "firenze lofts". You will be amazed. We had an absolutely wonderful time in these quarters. But, be prepared, they are not old or historical. We had complete quiet, we ate our breakfasts in, and sometimes we ate a large lunch and then just did wine and cheese and fruit for supper.