Hello...We will be in Florence for the first time in October. Is the area around the train station safe? Close to main attractions? Quiet or too noisy. These hotels are available and in our price range: Hotel Paris, Hotel Le Cascine, Hotel City, Hotel Botticelli. Does anyone have any experience of information about these hotels? Thank you in advance for any advice or suggestions. <BR> <BR>Megan

Florence is a wonderful city and from my experience safe, even around the train station. It is noisy so you should take earplugs and try to get a room off the street. I have not stayed in the hotels you listed, sorry on that point. Florence center is compact and so everyone walks the town so don't worry about transportation within the city. You can get a good map at the tourist info. center at the train station. Happy travels!

Megan - <BR> <BR>I have some slightly outdated info re: Hotel Paris. In 1995 I saw the hotel when visiting some friends, and I remember it as being quite nice, esp. considering the price. But, a lot can happen in 6 years....Last year while in Florence we stayed at the Pendini. The location is fantastic (very close to the Duomo), but the staff were a bit stand-offish(??). The rates were good, but we were in a very small room. Hopefully you'll get some more recent recommendations!

Hi Megan, <BR>Unfortunately the station area can be a bit noisy, as all the city buses in Florence seem to have a bus terminal there, also. I attended school in Florence & never felt unsafe there. One of my fellow students arrived a day early, stayed at the Boticelli & had favorable things to say about it. Given my "druthers", I would opt for a pensione or small hotel a bit closer to Piazza della Republica, or the Duomo. <BR>Best wishes for a good trip. <BR>Kathy

We just visited Florence and stayed at the Hotel Paris. Just renovated, the rooms were nicely decorated (high ceilings) with modern, smaller bathrooms (shower only). It's important to request a quiet room if you're bothered by street noise; some rooms with a view of Florence's rooftops are on a busy street, and Florence is a very noisy city (vespas, buses etc.). Hotel Paris is conveniently located and we had no problem in Florence. For the best gelato, don't miss Vivoli's. Hard to find near San Croce but you'll go back for more. We made three visits in one day; it was that good...And for all gelato/coffee shops, go to the cashier to pay first, then take your receipt to the counter for your gelato/coffee.

Florence is my favorite city in Italy. I also spent some time studying there. I've stayed at the Pendini, which I had no problems with, but if your looking for decent accomodations at a great price try Hotel Firenze. Its a very short walk from the Duomo, on one of the main roads, Via del Corso, has clean rooms and nice bathrooms with normal size tubs! I don't know if they have a web site, but there no. is: 055/26-83-01 fax: 055/21-23-70.Hope you enjoy Florence as much as I do.

Thank you for the help. I was thinking about the Pendini, but I read a lot of negative comments about it on this board (more bad than good). These other hotels look really nice on line, but I've been told that sometimes the pictures don't look like what you actually get, so I was trying to get some extra input. Thanks again.. <BR>Anyone else have anything to add?

We'll be staying at Hotel Casci next month. They have been delightful to deal with, and answered a few last-minute (OK, next to last-minute, there's still 3 weeks to go) questions via email within a day.

The casci is good deal. not extravagant but immaculate, conveniently located, quiet and run by the nicest and most helpful family. there are many comments on it here. check it out. <BR>

Hotel Casci is a real deal. It's clean, good bathrooms, rooms are decent size, and if you have a room by the street, they have added extra glass window for reducing sound. (works) It is family run and the staff is real nice. It is also very centrally located. The area around the train station is fine, but is not as convenient. Try the Tuscan soup, ribolita at Hosteria Ganino, and say "buon giorno" to Henri. (closed on Sunday) It's across from the American Express office at Piazza Cimatori. Also, if you want to tour the countryside and do some wine tasting, look up: &lt;www.christinastour.com&gt;. You will enjoy this tour. She takes no more than 4 people at one time. It was my first trip to Italy two weeks ago, I really miss it. We stayed in Florence 8 days. Go to Siena if you can.

My husband and I just returned form Florence a few days ago - our first time to italy. We stayed at the Hotel Casci and it was very nice. The bathrom was small, but the beds were comfortable, the breakfast was good, and they were very helpfyl. Good location, too. From all I've read - and I did a LOT of research before our trip - everyone discouraged staying near the train station. Enjoy your trip! TRY to see Siena if you can - I beleive you can take a day trip by bus or train - it's lovely.