I am looking for nice hotels in Rome, Florence, and Venice for June 2002. Location to most sights is my priority. Second, I want a nice four star hotel with a great canal view in Venice. I am looking at Pantheon, Colonna Palace, Villa San Pio, Cesari, Imperial, Dell Nazioni, in Rome. In Venice, Metropole, Europa and Regina, Monaco and Grand Canal, Luna Baglioni,or Locanda Sturion. In Florence need a good 4 star in good neighborhood and close to everything. How is the Monna Lisa? Please help. This is my third post and no answer. Private E-Mails are welcomed.

Karen, <BR>Sorry I can't help you on Rome, but perhaps I might be of some assistance for Venice & Florence. <BR> <BR>I always sing the praises of Locanda Sturion. Its only drawback is lack of elevator, but the grand marble staircase is indeed beautiful. The staff is kind & helpful, the neighborhood is good, you can request & obtain a room with a view of the Grand Canal (the hotel's breakfast room also has one), and it is merely steps away from the Ponte Rialto, which can be seen to the left when taking in your view of the Grand Canal from this hotel. <BR> <BR>I attended school in Florence, but had friends & relations coming in & out of Florence regularly & staying at Florentine hotels. (When I think it over, it really is a miracle I ever graduated!) Anyway, I would recommend the following for the good neighborhoods, accessible to things you want to see, and good value in Florence: Plaza Lucchesi Hotel, Savoy, Hotel Albani or the Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, the last of which is my personal favorite. <BR> <BR>Frankly, my dear, after all this time, I'm still trying to get back there! <BR> <BR>Hope you have a delightful trip & Buon Viaggio, <BR>BC

Karen <BR> <BR>I haven't stayed at any of the hotels you mentioned in Rome, but I've read many favorable comments on the Colonna Palace, Pantheon and Cesari. The location of the Colonna is very central, you'll be walking distance of many of the sites, like Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona, Pantheon and even the Foro Imperiale. It's a four stars and has a nice roof top terrace, from where you can enjoy a beatiful view of Rome. Same with Cesari. <BR> <BR>I stayed at the Europa&Regina twice, the first time, I got a splendid room, with a balcony and a view of the Grand canal and Sta. Maria della Salutte. <BR> <BR>The hotel was refurbished recently, has a beautiful marbled lobby and other wonderful public lounges. You'll be able to use a free shuttle to the Lido if you wish to do so. It's very close to San Marco, and the service is very nice. <BR> <BR>The Metropole is nice, but the Europa is better, and also larger. The Monaco and Grand Canal has a wonderful reputation and is also very close to San Marco, and to the Europa&Regina Hotel. The Luna Baglioni was refurbished recently too, and is up to the standards of the Europa and Monaco. The Metropole is a notch below, and the Locanda is a different type of hotel, smaller and more intimate. Many fodorites rave about it. <BR> <BR>I don't know the Monna Lisa in Florence, sorry. <BR> <BR>I hope it helps, <BR> <BR>Surlok

Karen: <BR> <BR>I was in Florence in June and stayed at the Montebollo Spendido. Here's waht I wrote: <BR> <BR>"Montebello Splendido <BR>460,000 Lire per Night (Ouch!): Excellent location but, at the price, FAR more than I generally spend. I have no idea if this hotel constitutes value for money in Florence for a Four star hotel as I have not stayed in an hotel in Florence before. Great location, on a small, quite street (Montebello) within 15 mins walking distance from Ponte Vecchio and very close to the train station. I had a very lovely room with King-size bed overlooking the garden, where you can have breakfast and drinks. Staff were in "livery" (morning suits etc.) and efficient rather than overtly friendly. Who would stay here?: Lovely hotel, but tell me what a 4 STAR room in an hotel costs in Florence?" <BR> <BR>I can't tell you if this is a good deal on a four star hotel in Florence for June, but one respondant to the query had stayed at the Lugnano (a very expensive and beautiful four-star hotel on the Arno, overlooking the Ponte Vechio, suggested that this was not a lot of money to spend in Florence for an hotel of this calibre. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. <BR> <BR>Regards .... Ger <BR>

Karen, <BR> <BR>I stayed once at Hotel Pendini, wonderfully located at Piazza della Republica, and paid a hundred dollars or so for a double room with breakfast, but it's rather a pensione than a hotel. You'd have to get the lift to the third floor, where the hotel is. <BR> <BR>Another time, I stayed at Hotel de La Ville, at Via Tornabuoni. It's a nice hotel, and the standard rooms are smallish, but not bad at all. I payed about 150 dollars for a standard double in April, 2001, with buffet breakfast included. It's a short walk to the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. <BR> <BR>Ger, <BR> <BR>I wish all posters here were as sensible and understanding as you are. Thanks. <BR> <BR>Surlok

You are very welcome Surlok. I have enjoyed your posts and look forward to your continued contribution! <BR> <BR>Regards ... Ger

Honestly, Ger, some posts and posters here do scare me away. There are some really angry and blunt people out here.. But then I come across posts written by people like yourself, and the sun shines again. ;-) <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR> <BR>Surlok