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Visiting Florence For The First Time
My husband and I are planning on visiting Florence this summer with our daughter (age 13). Do you have any recommendations for lodging. I plan on staying in the central historical district so we could be accessible to everything by walking. Is this a good idea.
Joanne |
Dear Joanne- I live in Florence and the city is quite small and accessible by walking (even if you're not in the center). One recommendation I can make is don't come in August. Many shops and restaurants closed for vacation.Late June/early July is your best bet.
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Hi mop,
As inka says, the historic area is compact. I suggest that you find the nicest place your budget will allow. |
HI
do a search for hotels at venere.it, also here at fodors (click at the top of this screen on Hotels.) Once you find some likely candidates, look for comments by searching on this forum for the hotels each by name, and also look at www.tripadvisor.com I have a file on Florence; if you'd like to see it, email me at [email protected] If you'd like more recommendations right here, please indicate what you'd like to pay per night, and do you want one room or two? |
mopjcp,
We just left Florence , and had a very nice 3 star motel located right across street from Santa Maria Novella Basillica and a block from the train station. We walked to everything. Very convenient and very nice ...newly remodeled. Should have been more than a 3 star. Very good breakfast also included. Our rooms were 90 euro a night . http://turismo.firenze.net/turismo/d...amp;lingua=ENG Good Luck and have fun Mike |
Oh yea - Hotel Domus Florentiae
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I recommend Hotel Pendini in the Plazza de Republicca right in the heart of the historical district within minutes of everything. When you get off the elevator on the 3rd or 4th floor you will be shocked at the lovely interior, extremely polite and knowledgeable staff, fine rooms at a price you will not believe. It shares the square with the likes of the Savoy at about 25% of the cost, but of course not as luxurious either. You can find it at www.FLORENCEITALY.NET Ph# 011-39-055-211-170. My wife and I would return here everytime, although we don't mind going top luxury either. But this is a wonderful value in Florence and so central to everywhere you want to walk to, like being a block from the Duomo. Enjoy!
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Hotel Pendini gets a lot of negative reviews on the Rick Steves board. And that is a bunch off people who are not real picky.
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inka,
We are considering coming to Florence Aug 14-18. Should we reconsider and go elsewhere? Thanks! |
Hi laura,
Is it just Florence you are concerned about? All of Europe is pretty much crowded in August. |
Today is your lucky day (LOL). Seriously, this is one of the best suggestions I found here a couple of years ago when I too was searching for that perfect hotel In Florence.
Hotel Monna LIsa is an old palace which is totally gorgeous, in the center of town, convenient to all and the accomodations are spectacular. Like living in your own private pallacio. Check it out. |
I visited Italy in May-June of this year, and stayed the the Hotel Alba in Florence. The rate was quite cheap (compared to most hotels) but was a lot nicer than I expected. The room was spacious (except for the bathroom, which you will find in all of italy), and had a mini bar. The breakfast, which was included, was the best of all the hotels I stayed at in Italy, offering fresh fruit in addition to breads and cereal. It wasn't in the center of everything, but it was near the train station (if you are coming in my train), and was within walking distance to everything. There is also a very nice little restaurant a few stops down the road (sorry I cant remember the name). The hotel also offers a laundry service, but beware...its expensive.
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"Message: My husband and I are planning on visiting Florence this summer with our daughter (age 13). Do you have any recommendations for lodging. I plan on staying in the central historical district so we could be accessible to everything by walking. Is this a good idea."
The number of times that people have asked for a hotel recommendation in Florence is now at 9,353. I've counted. Why does Fodor's even bother to have a search engine on this board when people like Joanne are too lazy to use it? A better question is, "Why does anbody bother to reply to a person who is too lazy to lift a finger and do her own work rather, expecting to ve spoon fed by other people?" |
Platzer -- Why are some Fodorites so rude and lazy about giving any help, but are NOT lazy enough to take the time out to write such a rude reply?
Perhaps the posts Joanne found through the search are outdated, or perhaps she is new to the board. LIGHTEN UP! Joanne - try Residenza Il Villino. We are booked there for this coming September, and my friend who stayed there had HIGH compliments for it! |
I would not limit your search to hotels. Florence has many apartments that can be rented by the week. Generally, they have more room than a hotel, and I would insist on a washing machine, so you can carry fewer clothes (but I think there are no dryers in Florence; everyone seems to hang out their wash to dry). The disadvantage of an apartment is that there is no staff there, if you need that sort of assistance, and you must provide your own breakfast. Since my wife and I like lots of orange juice and hard boiled eggs for breakfast, an apartment is ideal for us; we usually eat the other meals in restaurants, as I like to give my wife a vacation from cooking.
Sites like http://sleepinginflorence.com will give you some idea of what is available. I haven't used their service, but I have read good reviews of some of their apartments. Enjoy your trip, especially the gelato. |
I found my apartment by googling "apartments in Florence". There are hundreds to choose from. You may choose a 1 bedroom or a studio with a loft that will work for you.
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Ira,
Specifically wondering if it will be too hot in August and also if a lot of things will be closed as per inka's post on this thread. THANKS! |
Hi Laura,
>Specifically wondering if it will be too hot in August and also if a lot of things will be closed as per inka's post on this thread.< It will be hot. You will want AC in your hotel. As for what''s closed: All of the major sites will be open, the Department stores will be open, the Mercato Centrale will be open, the street vendors will be open. If you have particular restaurants in mind, you will have to contact them to see whether they will be open. I can recommend Il Ritrovo Via de? Pucci 4/A Best food for the price Has fish. Full dinner w/wine abt 40E pp Closed Monday From Pzza San Giovani (NW corner of the Pza del Duomo) walk one blk East to Via dei Martelli. Go left to Via dei Pucci. Turn Right. Look very carefully on left. No sign. Door could be locked. Ring bell. |
Ira,
Thanks!! Appreciate the comments! THANKS!! |
I am not sure if you have already traveled to FLorence but I lived in Florence and frequent it. My favorite is Hotel Pitti Palace. It is right next to the Ponte Vecchio. It has the most amazing roof top suite. Dont miss dining at Borgo Antico... my favorite....
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I was in Florence exactly the same time last year. You can click on my name and read my trip report for further details. I would not go those days. Outside of being extremely hot the entire city is shut down around August 16th because of a national holiday. The museums and the Ponte Vecchio will be open but that is about it. We struggled to find restaurants that were open starting the 16th. My guess is since the 16th is a Monday, the weekend before will be dead. |
Just remembered the holiday (Ferragosto) is the 15th not the 16th. Either way you will be there right in the middle of it.
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yikes. I certainly did not pick a good week! So we would potenitally arrive into Florence airport at 9pm on 8/14. And leave Flroence airport at 7am on 8/18. If the holiday is on Sun, that is our first "real" day there. Would things be back to normal by Mon? I know the museums are closed on Mon, could we go to Uffizi and Accademia on Sun? The holiday?
Maybe we should just stay in Amsterdam? :( |
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