We are going to Florence in September. We have made reservations at the Hotel Bretagna. near Ponte Vecchio. This was recommended by a close friend. It's not in RS guidebook. I am considering moving to the Hotel Cardinal because it is 20 euro cheaper. They both get good reviews. We want to go to the Uffizi and the Accademia and some of the other major sites. We will be in Florence for 3 nights. Does anyone have any opinions about which would be a better location? We want to also be near good but cheap restaurants.
Thanks, Cynthia
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, United States
174 posts
I don't know either hotel, but everything you want to see in Florence is so compact and close together that if t both hotels are "in centro" it doesn't matter. The only things that are harder to walk to are Piazzale Michelangelo and San Mineato al Monte, both of which are great but are a bit farther. You can walk to the Duomo, the Uffizzi, and the Accademia from almost anywhere "in centro" within 10 or 15 minutes. Restaurants are all over the place too. Have a wonderful time in a terrific city.
Posted by
Goffstown, NH, USA
7 posts
Lamost all of the tourist attractions (Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi, Acadmeia, etc..) are within a 10-15 minute walk of each other, so anywhere you stay should be fine. We stayed at the Hotel Enza (in the guidebook) and even though ti was in a sketchy neighborhood, it was a quick walk out to all of the galleries and we had a nice room, cheap.
Posted by
Martinez, CA, USA
1512 posts
Two years ago we stayed at Hotel Bretagna and we loved it, but we got one of the least costly rooms in the hotel as we don't spend much time in the room. We understand your wish to move for 20 euro a night - we'd do the same. Not familiar with Hotel Cardinal but if you decide to stay at the Bretagna we think you will like the location. Everything is within walking distance and you can cross the Ponte Vecchio to take the bus to Piazzale Michaelangelo and San Mineato. We found a good but cheap restaurant near the Mercato San Lorenzo but don't remember the name. We asked a vendor at the mercato for a recommendation as locals usually eat at inexpensive restaurants and he was right; it was good, cheap, and busy which is a good sign. Good luck with your decision and enjoy Florence!
Posted by
Lewisburg, PA, USA
346 posts
We stayed at il Bargello, right across from the Bargello and it was not a bad walk across the river and up to San Miniato and Piazzale Michelangelo. Energetic, yes! Take in the 5:30 PM mass (you can just observe and listen) at San Miniato and the amazing Gregorian chanting.
Posted by
OP
Oak Hill, VA, USA
113 posts
Jeff, We tried to get reservations at the il Bargello, but they were booked.
I am leaning toward staying closer to the bridge just so it will be easier to go across the bridge in the evening.