I just found out that my sister is coming in September, and at the top of her list is a few days in Florence....which is fine with me!! so now the search begins...for a hotel that has 3 things:
availability
BUDGET rates and
a central location
I've just started my search, and we're not sure what days we'll be going, but it will be in the period of Sept 12-21.
I found The Ester Hotel, which looks like a possibility. Does anyone know this hotel. or have other recommendations?
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,
There is the question of What is Budget? and What is Central? Have you checked out hotels at Venere.com? They have customer ratings and Comments that are very helpful. Sometimes if Venere.com says that there are no rooms for that date, you can contact the hotel yourself to get a room. The rate might be higher or lower (off-season) than the venere.com rate. Here is the URL for Florence http://en.venere.com/hotels_florence/?ref=34990 Here is a Url for a florence hotel that I thought was both cheap and central, but I haven't been there aty least yet. http://en.venere.com/hotels_florence/palazzo_strozzi/ho...lcony.html?ref=34990 Balcony Hotel had a customer satisfaction rating of 8.3 and when I read the comments, I thought that it might be OK.
Posts: 3679 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
When I say BUDGET, I mean BUDGET! as cheap as I can get but still have a safe location and a clean room. Ambience is not a top priority, nor ar amenities. Is that possible for under €100 in florence in Sept?
thanks for the links....I'll check them out. I'm just sooooo excited about my sister coming that I just wanted to DO something!!
We are staying at the Residenza Il Carmine, in Ottobre and it is $95 a night. They are located in Ultra Arno near Santo Spirito not far from the Piti Palace.
Well, some people call it the Oltr'arno (as in "other side of the Arno") but I prefer your version, JB. The Residenza Il Carmine is certainly "ultra". I'll be returning there myself at the very end of October, so maybe we will overlap. (BTW, I love the location, but I wouldn't exactly call it close to the Pitti Palace; it's very close to the Santa Maria del Carmine church.)
Barb --- this place is small and gets booked very far in advance, but you could give them a try.
Barb: here is one from my files but I have never booked a room - Tourist House Il Porcellino. It is not far from Piazza della Signoria.
"I am a Southerner. I like the feel of these words. I could no more be otherwise than I could shed my outer skin or change the color of my eyes." Willie Morris
Posts: 1440 | Location: on the Alabama River | Registered: 22 July 2002
I always put in a plug for Hotel Palazzo Vecchio near the train station. Just got reservations for October for 100 euros a night. Very clean. They have rooms with balconies and some have views. They just added a third floor with very good views for the price. If you arrive by train, just cross the street, walk a short block and dump your bags. You are ready to go!
Barb, I recently saw the Pensione Scoti featured on a Travel Channel show on Tuscany. The website doesn't do much for it, but they have excellent reviews on Trip Advisor. I have not stayed there myself, but the location looks great.
I also have Il Bargellino bookmarked as a result of a recent thread here on Slow Travel.
OK, checked with friend that gave me Il Porcellino and she said it was clean, fine for a couple of nights but no a/c and could get noisy.
Here is another: Relais Cavalcanti, also near Piazza della Signoria.
"I am a Southerner. I like the feel of these words. I could no more be otherwise than I could shed my outer skin or change the color of my eyes." Willie Morris
Posts: 1440 | Location: on the Alabama River | Registered: 22 July 2002
Try the Hotel Casci. We have stayed there; my sister stayed there this year; and friends have stayed there. Central location. Very friendly, helpful staff. Good breakfast options. Website: http://www.hotelcasci.com/
Peter L
Posts: 31 | Location: Seattle | Registered: 27 January 2006
My sister and I stayed at lovely little Hotel Dali , Via Oriuolo, right near the Duomo.
Here is one of the previous times I have recommended it.
Marco and Samantha are great hosts, there's an elevator, and you book a quiet room overlooking the courtyard with the 400 year old magnolia tree. The Duomo is in view when you walk out the front door, there is a nearby supermarket and my little restaurant is a few meters away.
I have stayed at both of the above and still am alive to tell the tale. At the time, they were both clean, cheap, and centrally located near the Ponte Vecchio.
Posts: 776 | Location: Birch Bay, WA | Registered: 02 December 2002
I would suggest you see if www.bnb.it/beb is available for your dates. This place is a b&B for women only, immaculately clean, 75 euro per night, and has a magnificent view.
I stayed here with my daughter and two granddaughters and even though it is a 69 step climb (feels like you climbed to heaven after seeing the view), I would go there again.
The apt. is located on the Borgo Pio.
Leone Fixed url
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Marta,
If its truly economical you're looking for you might take a look at Ninna Nanna Bed & Breakfast. They have single rooms as low as 29 euro and doubles for 24.50 euro per person. It is about a 2 minute walk to the San Lorenzo market.
There is also The Hotel Giada in the central market in front of the Medici Chapel. Single rooms start at 45 euro and doubles at 65. It can be noisy - especially in the early morning when the vendors start rolling their carts out. You could request a room on the back of the building which is a tad quieter.
If your sister is like me - a room that is clean and safe is enough. I prefer to spend my time and money on things outside the hotel so, as long as it's clean I'm content.
Posts: 690 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 14 January 2005
I've stayed at Albergo Sole which is walking distance from the train station, East of S. Maria Novella Perfumery (on same street). Rooms were clean and very tidy. Family run, has 8 rooms. I had a shared bathroom my last stay but my room had a sink & mirror in it. I'm staying there again this year at the end of September.
Albergo Sole Via del Sole 8 email: htlsole@tiscali.it phone/fax: 055-239-6094
Topic Closed
The Residenza Il Carmine is certainly "ultra". I'll be returning there myself at the very end of October, so maybe we will overlap. (BTW, I love the location, but I wouldn't exactly call it close to the Pitti Palace; it's very close to the Santa Maria del Carmine church.)
