As you know, Florence is very expensive. I stay with family in Rome, so I can't help you there, but i have two favorite budget places in Florence, which, as you probably know is expensive. The first is the Pensione Alessandro.It is a modest but nice family run hotel which is only a few minutes' walk to the duomo.My double room in october ran me about 140 euros or so, and they give a good discount if you pay cash. The owners are friendly and speak decent english. They were very helpful in making reservations for us. Breakfast is included.I've stayed there 5-6 times, as has my brother, and we have always had a pleasant stay. The second place is only a block from the Duomo, the Hotel Maxim. It is slightly cheaper than the other, but the staff is not so helpful. Rooms are spartan, but clean and adequate. Both hotels have websites if you want to check into it some more.I book the Maxim when the other is unavailable.
Posts: 108 | Location: Redding, California, USA | Registered: 15 July 2003
quote:My double room in october ran me about 140 euros or so, and they give a good discount if you pay cash.
Here's another good reason for posters to say how much they're willing to spend, rather than saying they want a budget hotel or a cheap hotel. It's not everyone who would consider 140 euros to be in the "budget" range. I mean we had a poster in another discussion thread recently asking about accommodation in the 30 euro to 70 euro range.
Hotel Maxim's February rate, just out of interest, is showing up as 80 euros.
You really don't need a car in either Florence or Rome. Walking is the best way around. And there are buses or cabs if one gets too tired.
I would recommend a small, charming hotel in Florence where I stay, called Relais Il Cestello. My single in Oct. was just under $70. It's in a great area, quiet but within walking distance of all the major sights. You can reach them at info@relaisilcestello.it....ciao, Cheryl
You might try the Dei Mori B&B. It is a great little b&b in the center of Florence. My wife and I have stayed there numerous times and are now friends with the manager. If you call, ask for Suzanne.
Here are a couple of threads talking about cheap lodgings in Rome, which I will cleverly refer to as thread1 and thread2.
In Rome, a car will be more of a hindrance than anything else - both driving and parking! If you stay in the center, you'll be able to walk everywhere. If you stay outside the center, you can use the buses which run until midnight, or cabs if you prefer.
Check the ATAC web site (public trans. in Rome). There is an English version. You can click on Find Address to see where a hotel is located and zoom in and out. Route Calculation will show you how to get from one place to another.
I stayed at the Maxim in August of 2000. We had a double and it was $70 a night. Keep in mind that I booked in April for August. It was a nice enough place. Small rooms but very clean and in a great location. I would not say it was a hotel with great ambience but it does the job if your main concerns are cost, location and cleanliness.
About a year ago I stayed at Pensione Paradiso across the street from the Lepanto Metro stop. It was clean, comfortable and 32 euro per night. It is somehow affiliated with Pensione Panda, which has a website.
Posts: 465 | Location: hilton head island, SC | Registered: 16 July 2001
check out the beehive in rome, very clean and accomadating, web site beehive.com. 40 euros per person with bath and only 5 min walk from termini station.
john ulissi
Posts: 13 | Location: pennsville, nj usa | Registered: 28 September 2003
quote:Originally posted by john ulissi: check out the beehive in rome, very clean and accomadating, web site beehive.com. 40 euros per person with bath and only 5 min walk from termini station.
john ulissi
thank you i will check it out
Posts: 51 | Location: lido beach, ny | Registered: 31 December 2003
quote:Originally posted by john ulissi: check out the beehive in rome, very clean and accomadating, web site beehive.com. 40 euros per person with bath and only 5 min walk from termini station.
john ulissi
thank you i will check it out
no luck do you have another web site or interent address thanks sydney
Posts: 51 | Location: lido beach, ny | Registered: 31 December 2003
Sydney (and lurkers wondering about similar things), cheap hotels will almost never have websites, especially in Italy where websites are very expensive. If you are looking for real cheap, your best bet is to collect recommendations here and from other sources, then check them out when you're in Rome etc.
quote:Originally posted by sydney: thank you i will check it out
I am finding it hard to read your posts. I am, like some other people on this board, not English mothertongue, and the use of commas, fullstops etc. (along with capital letters) helps me a lot understanding any foreign language. Thank you.
Alice Twain -- I don’t want to take what you can’t give / I would rather starve than eat your bread I would rather run but I can’t walk / Guess I’ll lie alone just like before Pearl Jam, Corduroy
The amazing stuff I learn by sticking around; thank you John. There's always an exception to everything -- I wonder how they manage these prices; I'm very tempted to try and stay there just to report back on it.
John, thanks for the Beehive recommendation. If you've stayed there, we'd love a review for the site to help out others looking for good budget options. Just click on Submit a Review and fill out the short form.
Amy in MA "Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
Posts: 8313 | Location: Newton (outside Boston), MA | Registered: 17 June 2001
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