Kleesie15

Hello,
I am traveling with a friend to Florence for 3 of my 10 day trip to Italy..other cities are Rome and down to the coast (Sorrento).
I am looking for help with our planning... and possibly hotel suggestions.

1. We are looking to book Hotel Continentale...found a great 108 Euro deal on a single room...but the description of this room is quite evasive...so is there anyone who can comment on this hotel or this room type specifically? We work for a large hotel company who shockingly doesn't have what we want in Florence...our concern is this is a dark and dingy broom closet???

2. Any other suggestions for hotels I would so greatly appreciate as I am really stuck on this one and don't know what to do-I myself am quite open minded...my friend is the question..

3. The itinerary!!! Well we are planning a bike tour in Chianti one of the days to experience the country, and this seems to be the best idea for this...any suggestions?

4. We fully realize we could use and extra day or many..but we don't have the time...so welcome any feedback one can share to maximize our experience while in Florence!

Thank you so much!

dfourh

Check out the reviews for Continentale here:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/cont....en.html?dva=0

Here: http://www.venere.com/hotels/florenc...-continentale/

And (although the top two are more reliably balanced) here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e_Tuscany.html

Then take every quibble with a grain of salt.

lennyba

If you're open to a B&B we stayed here in late October and loved it (and we don't usually do B&B's): http://www.firenze-bedandbreakfast.it/

We saw the Uffizi, Accademia, and Bargello museums, took a tour of the Duomo (climbed the dome), walked up the hill to Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato, visited Basilica Santa Croce and Farmacia Santa Maria Novella, ate mass quantities of gelato, and spent an afternoon in Fiesole, among other things, in a three night visit. It's easy to pack your days full there!

Jean

Although I'm sure a reputable bike tour company would take good care of you, my serious cyclist-husband thought the roads in Chianti weren't particularly safe for cycling. Little to no shoulder, blind curves, some fast-driving locals, etc. Also, the area is hilly, so you'd better be in good cycling condition.

mrvins

Hi!

i can suggest an Hotel in Florence Center a 3 stars with all modern comfort and very helpful staff.

http://www.hotelcimabue.it/

The hotel is located near the heart of the city in one of the oldest areas of the historical center, residential and very peaceful.
Is exactly located in via Bonifazio Lupi, close to Giotto Bell Tower, Florence Station and Florence Dome.

Large Rooms with all modern comfort and also the hotel have some painted rooms in perfect florentine style.

Good Location, Affordable prices and Friendly Staff!

bellini

Farmacia Santa Maria Novella?? it's a church not a chemist's shop

zoecat

Is the room for the both of you or will you both be booking a single room? Two people cannot stay in a single room.

hazel1

I'm a little surprised to hear that you work for a major hotel and you don't know how to find hotel reviews? And that you don't realize that a single room is for a single traveler, i.e. one person?

Jean

"Farmacia Santa Maria Novella?? it's a church not a chemist's shop"

lennyba was referring to the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. It sells perfumes, skin care products and some traditional herbal remedies. It is located in the neighborhood of the Chiesa (church in Italian) di Santa Maria Novella.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-c...ven-scent.html

http://www.museumsinflorence.com/mus...a-Novella.html

kybourbon

>>>bellini on Mar 15, 12 at 12:53pm
Farmacia Santa Maria Novella?? it's a church not a chemist's shop<<<

It's a perfume store. The oldest in Florence (Italy?). Celebrating it's 400th year in operation this year.
http://www.smnovella.it/en/home.asp?idc=286

>>>Two people cannot stay in a single room.<<<

A single room will most likely be tiny with one twin bed. Two people will not be allowed to share and you will need to book a double or twin room.

I've stayed between the train station and the Duomo at B&B Alloro. Their prices might be in your range, but it might depend on the time of year you are traveling.
http://www.allorobb.it/

lennyba

<Farmacia Santa Maria Novella?? it's a church not a chemist's shop>

Oops, farmaceutica. Shoot me.

It's the church of hand lotion and nice smelling pretty things.

Kleesie15

Thanks everyone for the replies! We have booked the ART hotel..I do in fact know how to check hotel reviews and understand a single is for a single person.. however for this specific room type there are no reviews, hence my reach out.

Biking comments noted...We have opted a private tour and our going to go on the Florence for Foodies walk..very excited.

Now on to plan Rome..