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Florence hotel for a week for 5 adults

Everyone has been so helpful with our Sorrento booking so I thought I would ask this:
Family of 5 adults- 2 couples, 1 single First Italy trip.

We think we want to use Florence as a base from Nov 19-26, 2023 even though we aren't big fans of spending all the time in cities.
We first will be 2 days in Rome in a VRBO , 2 days in Sorrento at il nido, and then head to Florence. Opinions please on these that I have found on searching past entries or recommendations.
Where would you stay for 1 week in Florence?
Cheaper- Novella House, Sette Angeli Rooms, B & B Santa Maria Novella
or more expensive- Hotel Rivoli or il Villino
or none of the above We need 3 bedrooms/rooms, breakfast would be nice!

Side trips will be Cinque terra, (or somewhere less busy around there to hike), Medieval towns (Siena?), Wineries
We don't want to have a car if possible.

Thanks travelers!

Posted by
5648 posts

Not sure much is open in the CT in November, nor is the weather friendly for outdoor activities.
Have a great trip!

Posted by
2418 posts

hey hey kathy
look at booking.com for apartments.
it is late to be booking during the holiday plus for 5 adults.
casarabbati.com
send them an email and ask, maybe 2 rooms to fulfill your group and wants. look for places with 2 bathrooms with your gang.
also you can do a search on this website up top for some info about accommodations for your 5.
cross-pollinate.com
they started the beehive in rome many years ago. also check out b&b’s on the site. some have a few rooms in their place that may suit you & family
airbnb.com or vrbo.com
also look at the experiences they offer with different tours, classes, activities. don’t know if they celebrate thanksgiving and what’s open/closed/ days & times opened. It will be busy and crowded since my own feeling is there is no shoulder season nowdays. remember check in is from 3-4pm and check out is 10-11am,
prepare accordingly and no waiting with luggage.
good luck and enjoy
aloha

Posted by
16133 posts

I don’t like the area near Via della Scala anymore. There is not a day when the Florence daily newspapers don’t have to report some kind of assault on tourists or residents by some of the scums that hang out in that zone. This is the latest today. As such I would avoid Novella House, B&B Santa Maria Novella, and Rivoli, simply based on location. I don’t like via Nazionale (Sette Angeli) either, mainly because of the noise, as lots of buses pass through there.

I don’t know which Villino you mean, since there are two places with such name. But either one is located in a better area. Il Villino Fiorentino is located in a quiet residential upscale area called il Romito, and right along the light rail T1 line (just 5 min ride from the city center). The Residenza il Villino on via della Pergola is also in a nice area.

Of course there are nice neighborhoods in the city center where you could find suitable accommodations, but this is my take on the choices you listed.

Posted by
11 posts

Oh boy! Is everyone in agreement on not staying in the area in the area via della scala?

It is getting close to trip!

Posted by
16133 posts

It's ultimately up to you.

I'm from Florence, visit regularly, and know the area of Via Palazzuolo/Via della Scala well, since I went to school not far from that area, and that is my take.

These are some recent (last few months) articles about the degradation of that neighborhood, and personally I'd avoid everywhere within 5 min walk from the station:
https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/cronaca/palazzuolo-protesta-droga-mkmlejh9
https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/cronaca/via-palazzuolo-risse-e-spaccio-revocata-la-licenza-al-bar-b1c2dd65
https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/cronaca/via-palazzuolo-resiste-residenti-in-strada-contro-lassalto-degli-spacciatori-1f96a3e2
https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/cronaca/via-palazzuolo-878f2627

Posted by
3513 posts

This time last year I stayed two nights at the Hotel Adler Cavalieri on Via della Scala.
That was my twelfth visit to Florence.
I didn’t feel unsafe as a single female and the hotel was lovely.
Old school decor, very clean, friendly helpful staff and a decent breakfast.
I would stay there again as I like to be fairly near the station for day trips.

That video from yesterday that Robert linked to, of the kid stealing the elderly man’s watch is concerning though.

Posted by
4105 posts