Has anyone out there stayed at (or at least been inside) the Intercontinental in Rome, the Savoy in Florence and the Bauer in Venice. I leave for Italy this Thursday and I want to know if the glowing hotel reviews I've been reading are the real deal or if my travel agent just wanted the high commission. Thanks.

are you looking for fancy hhotels or smaller quaint hotel? the hotels selected are wonderful---when you check into the Bauer in Florence ask for a room overlooking the Grand canal--it's very romantic. the rest of the hotels are good too. I'm a travel agent too and i think you got some wonderful reccomendations---enjoy yourself---andy

crystal--i messed up my e-mail address. <BR>my fingers were faster than my mind. if you need to reach me my e-mail is [email protected]---lokk at the incorrect e-mail with Imeldatpp for the info--if you need to reply---do so at this address above---andy

Crystal, I am leaving for Rome, Florence and Venice in September and was told to either stay (by my travel agent- who is great) at the Majestic in Rome (Eden was sold out), the Savoy in Florence and the Luna Baglioni or Bauer in Venice. I think we are leaning toward the Bauer in Venice. Good luck. How many days are you going and what is your breakdown of time spent in each city?

Paci-

Since you are new to this board, just want to point this out to you. Crystal started this thread in March 2001. I am quite sure she has gone and returned from her trip. However, the chance of her still hanging around this board is slim.

I recently got back from Italy. I stayed at the Regina/Europa in Venice (fabulous)although 5 nights is way too long for such a small area like Venice, and the Hotel Bauer was gorgeous also. My recommendation for Florence is definitely without question The Grand Hotel and in Rome the Eden was too far from anything and the Hotel DeRussie was too noisy and over-rated (I've stayed at both). While in Rome, stay at D'Inghilterra in the heart of everything.

5 nights is way too long for Venice only if you are not aware of what there is to see and do in Venice. We spent 4-1/2 days there on our first trip and didn't have time to visit a lot of the more well known sights.