OK, I have my Venice and Rome hotels set. The only one left is for Florence, so if you have stayed at the below or have even better ones to suggest, feel free to opine here.

Which one gives the most bang for the buck? (or just the most bang!)

I'd like a room with a view but at minimum a terrace (with a view is better of course). Doesn't have to be a view of the Armo, the Duomo is fine or just those beautiful rooftops. This is a late May trip.

The list:

Lungarno
Excelsior (Starwood)
Hotel Europa
San Gallo Palace Hotel
Hotel Davanzati
Residenza Il Villino

Villa San Michele has no open rooms on my dates of travel, but it looked pretty and was a consideration.

thank you!

I'd be delighted with a room at the Excelsior for location, etc. I'd be even more delighted with a room there which had a balcony and a view of ANYTHING!

I'd go back to The Lungarno in a heartbeat. Everything about our stay there two years ago- the beautifully decorated room with a terrace overlooking the Arno, the front desk, the amazing breakfast, the outside bar on the river, was beyond perfect. Add to that a wonderfully central location for exploring Florence, and I think it's hard to beat.

The only possible downside I can think of is that some of the rooms facing the street side are not nearly as sumptous as what we booked, so I'd advise being very specific in making the reservations.

Good luck!

We had a wonderful stay in the Hotel Europa in June 2004. We stayed in suite 39 and loved it.

The Lungarno is wonderful. Make sure to get a room with a terrace overlooking the river. I much prefer it to both the Excelsior and Villa San Michele, although they both had larger, "grander" rooms.

I am looking at the Hotel Davanzati. The staff seems great through e mails, very helpful. My husband and I are going to Florence in early April and I am thinking of this hotel. The staff seems great and that will come in handy, getting around etc. I have researched many hotels, there are too many choices out
there.
Have a great trip!

This one is not on your list, but it is fairly new and was FANTASTIC when we were there this past Christmas--Hotel Santa Maria Novella.

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. Breakfast--great. Room--probably the nicest we've ever stayed in. Don't know the price b/c it was part of a Christmas gift, but I think you can find the price online.

Enjoy your trip!

I've had two stays at the Excelsior and loved both of them. The staff is great. We walked everywhere while there, but loved it and would readily recommend it.