I would like to post a recommendation for the Hotel Locanda de' Ciompi in Florence, Italy.
We picked this hotel for a three night stay out of the Rick Steves Florence and Tuscany guide book because it was a little cheaper than others and because of it's location in an interesting neighborhood. We had a little trouble finding it. It does not have a big sign out front, rather it has a little brass plaque by the seriously heavy iron door. It is located just before the Piazza de Ciompi (pronounced Chiompee) as you walk down the Via Pietrapiana away from the Duomo. Entrance is by code on a number pad. You need to check that on your email before you try to get in. The room (as well as the bathroom) was perfectly clean and comfortable. The owners, Mira and Francesco, handle everything from cleaning to bookkeeping. They live out of town and come in everyday to manage the place. My wife and I thought very highly of them. More than accommodating they were humorous and friendly and gave great advice, down to the best Gelato in town. Mira had a great connection with a leather shop a couple of blocks away which gave us nice discounts because of her. The "breakfast at a bar" does not do justice to the busy, happy, high quality pastry shop down the street. The people there know exactly what to do when you show up with no Italian and your Locanda voucher. They had great food in a friendly if frenetic shop. Don't be afraid. Dive right in and show your voucher.
The half hour walk from the train station is doable, but dragging suitcases on the cobblestones and uneven slate walkways and through the crowds around the Duoma was a pain. For twelve Euros we took a cab back to the station when we left.
The neighborhood is safe and friendly and a short walk from a pedestrian shopping street that leads to the Duomo and beyond. It's really a great place to stay in Firenze.
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