Affordable accomations in Venezia, Florence.

1st question - what time of year are you going? Very soon, or do you have awhile...summer prices are more $$ of course. Check out airbnb.com - I've been researching for our trip to Florence in Sept and am seeing some nice places for good prices in great locations - only thing is a lot require a 2 night stay...in Venice, we stay at Al Campaniel B&B...77euro a night...room has sep but private locked bathroom (some have attached ones for more $$)...lovely breakfast, very handy - right off San Toma stop...but he could be booked, and I'm sure the cost is more if staying in the summer. We've stayed 2 times, and booked them again for this Sept.

Venice might be a tough one. In Florence the best value place we found in your price range was the Relais Tiffany, not far from the station. It was one of the nicer places we stayed at during our two weeks in Italy. http://relais-tiffany-firenze.com As for Venice, I think you may have to accept that it is somewhere a little special and pay a little more for it.

Hi Marjorie and Jeremy, If you mention Rick's book to hotels (if they are in the book) they will oftentimes be happy to give you a discount. Just a thought . . . I have read some traveler's reports that staying in convents is a great option -- they are safe (albeit they have a curfew) and often very reasonable. Best wishes and happy travels!
Ruth

Hi, We've stayed in both, and were looking for just what you've suggested. In Venezia, we stayed at the Hotel Dolcetti. A really easy bus ride in, wonderful hosts, and a great breakfast. It's in the RS book. In Firenze, we stayed in a convent. Fantastic place, really wonderful nuns, great breakfast. If you need details on that, send me a private message, Cheers!

Hi. Last year I used Monastery stays in both cities. I can't recall the exact $$ as I stayed with them also in Rome. I spent between 45 &. 75 euro/nite. I was very pleased with all. Pm me for more deets; i could look up the exact places I chose in each city. I would definately use them again.

You might try Hostel Archi Rossi in Florence. They have an "annex" that includes private rooms with en suite.

We love staying at Hotel Dali which is also in Rick's book. Marco and Samanta are so friendly and the location a few blocks behind the Duomo is wonderful. We had a double room with shared bath for under 70 euros a night.

When are you going? High season will be very expensive. We were there in March 2011 and got a great rate at Hotel San Giorgio on booking.com. We booked in Oct. 2010 for March 2011. The downside was that we had to pay up front and there was no refund. The upside was that it was about 50% less expensive. We booked the smallest room since we only sleep there. If you're checking too far in advance many hotels don't have their reservations open and will show that they're fully booked when they really haven't opened reservations yet.

If you can cope with a curfew and little/no English, convents are a great option. In Florence, I stayed at Istituto Oblate dell'Assunzione, 15 Borgo Pinti, for 45E/night, including breakfast (early Oct last year). Clean, safe, lovely garden, and about 3-4 blocks from the Duomo. It's listed in teh RS guide; I don't have their e-mail address any more(computer crash). In Venice, I stayed in a convent 100 yards from S Maria della Salute for 50E/night, including breakfast (last Sept). Amazing location. Don't have their e-mail any more (same computer crash). However, you can find good convent/monastery deals by searching the internet and sending e-mail in Italian (Google translate). Alternatively, for a few dollars surcharge per night, you can book through MonasteryStays website and they'll deal with the language barrier in booking.

I just realized where I could find the contact info for the convents I just mentioned in Florence and Venice. Please keep in mind that these are religious houses, so if that or the quiet or the curfew would be a problem, they aren't good choices. Istituto Suore Salesie Catecumeni 108 Dorsoduro, Venezia,30123, [email protected] Suore Oblate dell'Assunzione Borgo Pinti 15, Firenze
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