My husband & I are visiting Italy in mid-October to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We are flying into Rome and departing from Venice. We are spending 9 full days in Rome, Florence & Venice -- 4 days in Rome/3 Florence/2 Venice. I have a good sense of what we want to see, tours, etc, but need help on Hotel suggestions, or at least best area to stay in & restaurants. Looking to spend about $250-$300 (max) per night ($USD), but I've been told that ranges are closer to $400. I want a clean hotel, in a good location meaning we're able to walk to sights, breakfast included. Prefer a more boutique type of hotel to give us the flavor of the city. We don't need pool & spa. Is our price range reasonable?I've looked up hotels and have been able to find some, but looking for advice from more seasoned travelers. Also, in regard to tours, is anyone familiar with "Walks of Italy"? I've heard/read good reviews about this particular tour and I'd rather use one for the different tours. And of course, restaurant suggestions either for dinner or a light lunch or any "musts". Your suggestions and comments are welcome. Thank you.

We have stayed at Hotel Genio and Hotel Bolivar, both centrally located. I checked and they seem to be in your price range, and have the flavor you are looking for. However, it was many years ago, so you should check out the current reviews and see if they are to your taste/budget and location. I do recall that Hotel Genio was a little noisy.....I remember a group of young people singing in the street late in the night.

Last time we stayed in Rome, 2014, we rented an apartment in Trastevere.

Good luck.

<<I've been told that ranges are closer to $400.>>

Wow. Told by whom? We travel often in Italy and are generally pleased with our hotel accommodations that are under 100 euros a night, often closer to 60-70 euros. I cannot begin to imagine what a 400-euro hotel room would look like - regal, I'm sure, but way beyond our expectations.

You don't have to spend US$400 for a clean, well-located hotel in any of your destinations, with the possible/probable exception of Venice if you want any sort of "view" room. But you could easily off-set the higher rates in Venice with lower rates in both Rome and Florence.

As with all recommendations, you should read reviews, view photos, check locations, etc.

We've stayed in each of these places 2-3 times:

Hotel Fontanella Borghese, Rome
Tourist House Ghiberti, Florence (more like a B&B than hotel)
Pensione La Calcina, Venice

Venice: Pensione La Calcina
https://www.lacalcina.com/

We absolutely loved our stay here last time we were in Venice:

https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/ca-...3b17cad615f2ef

No elevator, of course, it being an grand old building, but walking up one flight of stairs was hardly a hardship.

I also stayed at Hotel Genio in Rome, last September, and will be there again this September. The location can't be beat, immediately north of Piazza Navona. A bus stop for a bunch of bus #'s a half block away, plus lots more on Corso di Rinascimento and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, plus walking distance to a lot. Good-sized shower. Elevator. Good buffet breakfast on the rooftop with views all around. The carpet in the hallways is a bit worn, but who cares about that? 😀

My favorite hotel, in my favorite location in Rome is the Hotel Portoghesi. We've stayed there a few times, and since our budget has grown smaller, we always rent apartments in the immediate neighborhood. They are in your price range, a boutique hotel, with a very good breakfast. Our go to restaurant in Rome, La Campana, is just around the corner.

I too have stayed at Tourist House Ghiberti in Florence, but it may not have quite the "boutique hotel" atmosphere. One gets quite a lot for one's money there, but one thing you don't get is a helpful desk. It's very well located. Trattoria I due G has exceptional Bistecca Fiorentina.

We haven't stayed in a hotel in Venice in a long time, always renting apartments. My favorite restaurant in Venice is Oliva Nera. If you don't mind staying near San Marco, the Hotel Ala has good features, including an excellent breakfast, a boat door when the tides are right, and it's nicer rooms are very nice indeed. It's also in your price range.

I haven't stayed in a hotel in Venice in a few years, more recently renting apartments. In the past I liked La Calcina, mentioned above.

On my most recent visit to Florence (3 years ago), I stayed at Palazzo Guicciardini and was very happy there.
https://www.xeniahc.com/it/hotel/palazzo-guicciardini

In Rome the past few years I've stayed at Hotel Nerva and VOI Donna Camilla Savelli. Though I liked them both, the Nerva is definitely a small boutique hotel.
https://www.hotelnerva.com/

What kind of restaurants are you considering?

Assuming you mean this year the only possible reason your budget might be a concern is it's late to be booking for October. Rome is large enough you'll always find something but Venice is smaller and might be an issue.

OTOH take advantage of the fact Venice is smaller. Stay a bit away from the most famous landmarks. It's not like the slight increase in walking difference will be noticed.

But if two days in Venice means arrival from Florence and departure from Venice. I'd rethink. That's not a visit to Venice. You'll mostly be seeing the train station and airport.

I am Roman so my recommendations are for Rome. If you wish to feel the real city, not the Disneyland that has become the center due to surging number of short term rentals, with your budget take one of the hotels that are located on the Aventine Hill. It's one of the most beautiful area of the city, quiet, green, residential but still very close to the main sites. It is just steps away from Testaccio neighborhood where you will find a lot of non-touristic restaurant.
You will find here some indications for restaurants. The same web-site contains other information for eating and drinking, suggestions for walks, curiosities etc.
In general avoid to have a meal close to Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain. those are mostly for tourists.
The area close to the Colosseum is better. A good area is the Ghetto, close to the synagogue

We have used both Walks of Italy and Context Travel and both were excellent.

In Venice https://www.alpontemocenigo.com/ , a very nice B&B with great location, right by San Stae vaporetto stop. In Florence, Ive also stayed at Tourist House Ghiberti, recommend it for value and location. In Rome, check https://www.hotelvillapinciana.com/en/ , nice B&B in the Via Veneto area, by the Borghese Gardens. Also https://www.residenzafarneseroma.it/en/ , B&B in the Campo D'Fiori area

In Rome we stayed at Hotel Miami and in Florence we stayed at Hotel Casci. Loved both of them! They are both in your price range. We had our young kids with us, and both of these were good locations for walking everywhere. The Casci especially, as it was literally a block or two from the main sights.