Sad to say, my husband and I are light sleepers. We live in the country, so I guess we are rather spoiled. When we've stayed in cities before, we've found street noise to be a problem. And of course, there's the occasional pre booked room across from the ice machine and next to an elevator. <BR>Our budget is not extravagant-we expect to pay $100 to $140 per night. Also, is it best to stay close in where the action is so we can take an afternoon nap and head out for fun at night?

http://www.venere.it/firenze/firenze_Z5.html <BR> <BR>I just put this up on another thread...but you can check this out for locations of hotels in relation to the various historic sites of Florence.

Get back to work kk <BR> <BR>kk's advice is on the money. You could also do a search for the Hotels Pendini and Casci. They have gotten good reviews, fall in your price range [no, I'm not checking a book] and seem as though they would be quiet.

I stayted at Relais il Cestello located at Piazza di Cestello 9 in Florence <BR>telephone 055/280632 - 280633 and fax 055/280631 <BR> <BR>It's located across the river about 5 blocks from pointe vecchio - quiet family hotel with single and double rooms. Cash paid since his credit card machine didn't work. Single $65 US Double $90

Hi, <BR> <BR>Hows this? <BR> <BR>for a lovely hotel, which is quiet EXCEPT FOR those who want to sleep past 715 AM: <BR> <BR>Pensione Bretagna. Lovely, and good value. <BR> <BR>However, there is a church fairly nearby which PEALS out to call in the faithful at about 715 AM each morning. LOUD does not adequately convey the noise which you will hear. Neither does ANNOYING. I counted 48 loud, staccato, piercing, shrill peals one morning. midweek. <BR> <BR>now, I usually get up by that time, but you know, if you think you wanna sneak in an extra half an hour - fuhgeddaboutit. <BR> <BR>guess those Florentines believe in early to bed, early to rise, or something... <BR> <BR> <BR>

Just a question, Carmen. Where did you stay in Europe across from an ice machine? I've traveled a lot in Europe and I have yet to see an ice machine in any hotel! <BR>But I am a big believer in staying close in, so we can return to the hotel a couple of times during the day, especially for a mid afternoon break. If the hotel has air conditioning, and double glazed windows, pretty common for 3 star and better hotels in most locations, noise should not be a problem. You just can't expect to have open windows for fresh air.

Hello. Not so many people know thge Hotel Villa Betania, which is not so far away the Piazzale Michelangelo. The place is easy to reach by car from Motorway (Firenze Certosa), and by bus from the train station. Is it a quite place, very near the Boboli garden and prices are really reasonable (see also the special offer). See www.turistafaidate.com/hotel/villabetania/home

You might try the Hotel Lombardi in Florence. It is clean, neat, and very close to the train station. You can look them over on the internet by looking for "Hotel Lombardi". We were guests there in Nov '99 and have a reservation there in June of this year. the owner Domenico, is there every day and speaks very good english. We have been in florence on two earlier trips and experienced problems with noise early in the AM but not at Hotel Lombardi. <BR>Ciao, <BR>Joe

Hotel Villa Liberty, near piazza michaelango. (Forgive my misspellings.) We stayed here 3 years ago - cute & friendly, with parking available.

Hi, Carmen <BR>I second Joe's advice. We really liked that hotel. The location was terrific, and yet, it was very quiet. <BR>Domenic, the owner is a true gentleman. He will do everything to make your stay a pleasant one. We were going on to Venice and he called and make reservations for us at a beautiful hotel. It was one of the nicest hotels I've been in. The walls were covered in a lovely damask to match all the rooms furnishings. And, I know he arranged for us to get a great rate. <BR> <BR>Glad to hear another traveler say good things about it, we enjoyed our stay there. <BR>Joe, would you email me the address. I looked for the hotel on different websites without any success. <BR>We are planning a return trip to Florence next March and plan to stay at this hotel. <BR>Many thanks, Joe. <BR>Carmen, have a wonderful trip! <BR>Ciao, <BR>Gloria

Gloria: Can you please give me the name of the place you stayed in Venice? We are going there too.

Hotel Lombardi: http://www.hotel-lombardi.com/ <BR> <BR>(found it by typing "hotel lombardi florence" into Yahoo's search engine - got it on the first try!)

Hotel Silla is a nice quiet hotel. It is across the Arno from the Santa Croce area. I don't remember the name of the bridge, but it's right near it (NOT Ponte Vecchio!). It tends to have opening when other more famous places are filled, but it's a good place. One of it's best features is the outdoors breakfast area.

Lesli, Thank you for doing that! I don't recall which search engine I used, but, I surely didn't use the right one. Many Thanks! <BR>Jane, I shall have to locate that hotel in my Italy travel box. If you can't wait a day or so, email me and I will attend to it quickly. <BR>Thank you! <BR>Gloria

Topping for wingnut... <BR>Pay attention to Joe's post, the Hotel Lombardi is a great deal in Florence. <BR>

Carmen - We just stayed at the Loggiato dei Serviti and it was amazingly quiet. A rant said it was noisy, but that's if you stay in a room facing the square. We asked for a quiet room and sure got it. Unfortunately, we also had two beds and had to sleep apart so make sure you specify that if you book it (or anywhere you book a room just in case). The staff was very nice and breakfast was good - standard. The hotel is pretty and a few blocks from the Duomo. We paid about $178 a night. Enjoy your trip.

Someone mentioned the Hotel Villa Liberty. My husband and I just returned from Florence and really enjoyed our stay there. He's a light sleeper, and our room (#5, which overlooked the side garden, couldn't have been more quiet. The hotel is easy to reach by car, and street parking is available. I think we paid about $130/night. They have a website at www.hotelvillaliberty.com.<BR>

Why don't you look into the Montebello on via Montebello? It is in a sort of residential street-more homes than stores-but right in the area you would like to be in (good restaurants,and shopping) and a walk from the center of town..We had a room with a terrace, so it was on the inner courtyard part, it was originally a pallazzo so there are nice grounds and a wall around part of it..keeps the noise out.I think they are online...can't find my address book M

Hotel Morandi a la Crocetta is a couple of short blocks from the Duomo, on a quiet street, wonderfully intimate, roomy, excellent staff...about 12 rooms, some with patio. We stayed in 2000 and would stay again in a heartbeat. Fodors recommended. About 140 a night. Easy walk to several good restaurants.