My husband and I are taking a trip to Venice in mid-May and are thinking about extending our trip and going by train to Florence for about four days. Does anyone have a recommendation for a nice, clean place close to the train station(we'll drag our bags from there), yet away from the street noise? I realize this may be an impossible dream from what I've gathered online, but I can see that there are a lot of well-traveled folks who post here...<BR>

Here are some suggestions, altough none are within easy walking distance from the train station, a taxi would cost you under $8-<BR>Beacci Toranbuani-bthotel.com hotelmorandi.it <BR>hotelalassandra.com-this is a 2 star very reasonably priced whith in easy walking distance to all the sites.<BR>I reccomend teh double rooms overlooking the garden with private baths.<BR>Hotel dell Arti &amp; Orto Medici- my personal favorite- you can find both on karenbrow.com<BR>Also the De Lanzi-frommers.com<BR>Best wishes<BR>Fluffy

Hi andiejo,<BR><BR> NicolaF is advertising his properties.<BR><BR> I have reservations for the B&amp;B Peterson. If you decide to stay there let me know how it is. It is about 4 blks from the train station.<BR><BR> B&amp;B Peterson 60 E/nite http://www.bedinflorence.it/<BR>Via Guido Monaco 25 No Bkfst <BR> [email protected] <BR>Spare but nice <BR>ensuite WC On First Floor. <BR>Has a lift. has A/C<BR>Phone: 011 39 348 8428160 <BR>Fax: 011 39 055 367844 <BR><BR> Ms Ancilotti is very nice. She says that there is a cafe across the street for bkfst. There is a bus stop in front of the hotel - nos 14 &amp; 23 take you to the Duomo.

You could do a search for any hotels on Via Nazionale, it runs north from the train station and you can walk easily to any hotel. It is however a very busy street. You could also drag your bags a few metres from the station to #7 bus and go 20 minutes up the hill to Fiesole where you will find some lovely accomodation and be away from the hustle and bustle that is Florence.

Forgot to mention a great website, www.english.firenze.net

Hi Andiejo, <BR>I've stayed at the DeLanzi in Florence. We were there in October 2002. The room we stayed in was on the small side and was dark. The only window in the room was facing a wall...so no light got in the room at all. The bathroom was nice though...pretty big, clean and the fixtures modern. Size of the room and its darkness aside though...it is in a GREAT location. Close to EVERYTHING.And I do mean CLOSE. <BR>There are other hotels in the area but I can't remember their names...sorry.

We stayed last week at the Hotel Belletini in Florence (www.hotelbelletini.com) which is a 5-10 min. walk from the train station. It is not hard to find and was reasonably priced. Very close to the Duomo and not far from everything else really. The rooms are not spectacularly decorated, but clean and the hotel serves a good breakfast. During the day the streets were noisy outside, but at night it was relatively quiet. Also very close to the Central Market if you are into shopping!

topping<BR>

Just back from Italy last night and looking forward to making recommendations. <BR><BR>We stayed at Hotel Aprile it's about 1 1/2 blocks from train station, we walked w/ bags. It's a 3 star very clean, lovely staff, &amp; european breakfast. I went to hotel.com and got a rate of 95 euros a night! Must ask for a garden view room, very quiet. Internet service available and they make an excellent capaccino. Overall it was the best of the four hotels we send in during our trip to Italy hotel. <BR>

stayed at the beacci tournabouni in jan. and i would highly recommend it. cheers

Hotel Albani, vie Fiume 12, is within walking distance from Firenze main station (100 yards). It is located in a quiet street. Rooms are small but very cozy.<BR>However prices may be high in May, since it is a 4 star hotel.

I stayed at a very nice 4 star hotel right near the train station last year, I think it was called Hotel Majestic.

I believe Hotel Casci gets good recs on this board. I am going the budget but nice route and staying at Hotel Dali based on research online and in books. YOu can check it out at hoteldali.com<BR>or eurocheapo.com

We stayed at a small place called Mario's less than two blocks from the train station last year. The staff were excellent, breakfast was included.English is spoken. It is a pleasant walk to the Duomo through the city as well. If you decide to inquire, I would request a room in the back of the hotel as the street can be a little busy early in the evening.

Thanks for all of the recommendations, guys. I am thinking about staying at the Villa La Sosta, which is very reasonably priced and looks beautiful on the website. Has anyone ever stayed here or heard anything about it?

I would also recommend the Hotel Belletini. This hotel represents great value. The rooms in the annex are nicely appointed. It is an easy walk to all the attraction with some good restrurants near by.