Florence Accommodations

I would recommend checking out Hotel David. It's on the "other" side of the Arno, near Piazzale Michelangelo (phenomenal views of the city from the top), so it's a 15-20 minute walk, along (then across) the Arno, to the historical section. But, it's a wonderful place to stay. Check it out on Tripadvisor for dozens of glowing reviews.

Also, if you happen to have a car (I'm one of those advocates of having a car, not for use while in the cities, but for travelling between them), they have a private car park. And, they're outside the dreaded ZTL, so we never got a ticket.

I'd recommend this place, not on the other side of the Arno. It's more centrally located, affordable, and run by a friendly couple (the wife is from Boston)

HOTEL IL BARGELLINO

VIA GUELFA 87

50129 FLORENCE, ITALY

TEL. 39 055 238 2658

www.ilbargellino.com

Thanks, I'll check them out :)

Not sure of your budget or other preferences but this convent stay was recommended by RS and is clean and charming
http://www.fmmfirenze.it/Personally, we always stay at Hotel Dali near the Duomo. Great location delightful owners clean charming very reasonably priced rooms close to cafes., markets and a nice coin laundry.They also have a free parking for guests in the courtyard. Marco and Samanta will make your museum reservations as well, with no additional charge.

We had a beautiful apartment for five nights in the Oltrano section of Florence about three blocks from Ponte Vecchio and adjacent to the piazza in front of the Santo Spirito church. We found it through Lori Heatherington at the Pitcher and Flaccomio real estate company. Lori is an American who has lived there for years and knows her way around. You can email her at: http://www.pitcherflaccomio.com/new/index.php?lang=en

Once there, go to "Rentals" and click on "Florence Centre". There are many listings and Lori will take excellent care of you. On the second page you will see one called "Lucy" which is the apartment we had. In ours we went down to the piazza every morning and bought fresh fruits, vegatables and flowers.

From this base, in addition to being able to walk to all of the old city attractions, we took day trips to Siena and San Gimignano and even the CT by train.

Hope this helps. If you talk to Lori, please tell her Jim and Melinda from New Orleans said hello.

I'll check them all out today and let you know - thanks - Lucky

We've stayed inat Casa Rovai last September, and we love it... Our room has private bathroom, but outside the room. Nice Breaksfast, very cozy, super friendly owners, What else can we ask for???
Room rates very affordable. And location, we love it. It's maybe 5 minutes walking from the Doumo, 15 from the train station. We've walked everywhere form this place. Florence is such a lovely city, you wouldn't mind walkin and walking around...
Here's their website:

http://www.casarovai.it/
Good luck!!!

They mean the historic center of the town, the part with the Piazza della Signoria, as opposed to the Oltrarno (meaning "other side of the Arno").

I have stayed twice at the Il Salotto di Firenze. It is right in front of the Baptistry and the Duomo. Alessandro runs a very nice B & B. The rooms are great. Although the A/C did not work for us this last time. You may not need that in September anyway.

We stayed at the Allessandra for 3 nights as recommended in RS's guidebook. We thought it was great and a fantastic location.

www.hotelalessandra.com

I also would recommend checking into renting an apartment for your stay. We love renting apartments for our Europe trips! Just returned from a 3-week Italy trip the end of July and spent 5 nights in an apartment in Florence. It was great! Rented apartment #9714 through www.vrbo.com. It is located on Via Toscanella and you can check it out on the website. It is located just across the Ponte Vecchio and down from the Pitti Palace. The restaurant Quatro Leoni was just steps away from the apartment along with a cafe. We had 5 people in our group and had lots of space as the apt. had 3 bedrooms.

We were in Florence this summer and enjoyed our stay at the Casa dei Tintori. It was a dye factory many centuries ago and was beautifully updated by its architect/owner about 4 years ago.Check out their website, the pictures accurately represent the interiors. There are only 5 rooms and each one has its own appeal. The location was excellent about 1/2 block off the Arno on a quiet side street. From the outside it is almost invisible, but cross the threshold and you will see what I mean.It is located on the same block as Il Fagioli restaurant where I also would suggest having a tasty meal.(be sure to reserve as its popular with locals)

Firenze Rentals has some great apartments in a palazzo right on Piazza Signoria:
http://firenzerentals.com/blog/

We stayed at Hotel Aldobrandini. It's featured in one of Rick's videos (he talks about the shower over the toilet). My wife hated it. I thought it was the street noise, the paper thin walls, the toilet/shower combination and/or the threadbare sheets and towels.

It wasn't any of those things. Her main objection was the cloud of cigarette smoke coming under the door from the chain smoking owners down the hall.

I've drug her to a lot of budget accomodations (a lot of really nice hotels too). This was the only one she nearly revolted over.

I would recommend that you stay at Casa dei Tintori. It is a lovely bed and breakfast about a block from the Duomo on the historic side of the river. I have stayed there twice. The owners are lovely, couldn't be more accomodating. The rooms are airy, clean with very comfortable beds and fine linen. The hostess meakes a mean cup of capuccino to order in teh morning and even went out to buy my husband gluten free rolls when she saw he wasn't eating the pastries. I would stay there again in a heartbeat.

I would second Casa dei Tintori - have had friends stay there and they loved it. After seeing the other comments on here, I'm even more convinced. They have a nice website too (http://www.casadeitintori.it/).

Also would recommend Palazzo Uguccioni (www.palazzouguccioni.it) if you are looking for a more "self-catering" experience. Really great location (in Piazza della Signoria) and beautiful apartments.

I know you have already left for Florenc, but this may help some other travelers on here. Where did you end up staying? Let us know.