Florence hotels location question

Lulu, I can't answer the "worth it" question but we stayed a couple of blocks north and one block over (on Via Camillo Cavour) of Hotel Orto De Medici and we liked that general location. IMHO, you would not be off the historic-district grid as you'd be VERY close to the wonderful Museum San Marco, Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, and the Accademia, and easy walks for any number of other attractions. Central Florence is really quite compact, we walked ALL over from our accommodation, and you'd be even a bit closer in than we were. Then again, we don't return to our hotels from the time we leave in morning until after dinner in the evening so....

Hard to argue with the views from Hotel Santa Maria Novella... it you had a room with a view. The terrace looks great! :O)

Both of these have very good reviews so I'd be comfortable with either. Hotel Rapallo would be just a bit too far out on the edge for me.

Kathy, thank you! Just the info I was looking for! I typically reserve 2 or 3 hotels early, then cancel once I make my decision. It doesn’t take me long to decide. I’ll go ahead and do that for Hotel Orto De Medici. I imagine we will be going back to our rooms at least once a day, that was my concern about too much walking.

I also found and reserved this hotel just this afternoon. Hotel Davanzati, similar price to Orto de Medici and looks right in the thick of things. If you have time, would you mind checking to see if that is correct? I hate asking, but it’s hard when you’ve never been.

Rome was so easy to book...just went back to our same hotel. Now I have Venice to start looking at! I truly love the research part!

Yes, Hotel Davanzati would work as well and has excellent ratings. It's closer to a different set of attractions than Orto De Medici.

LOL, I just remembered that we did laundry at the Express Wash about a block up the street from the De Medici. :O)

Thanks Kathy, I really appreciate it! I’m going to reserve both and keep reading and try to be one more familiar with the area.

It would be great if some other posters chimed in too. We are BIG walkers who much prefer our feet to taxis and public transit so we only use them when having to cover a considerable distance. We didn't use any at all in Florence. It's possible that what's not at all far/much for us might be considered otherwise for someone else. Being in the very thick of things isn't always our preference either so a variety of opinions for you to work with would be nice here. :O)

You are definitely flying in the high priced life.

We love smaller boutique hotels or B&Bs that are close to the city center.
You seem to be spending from $250-$350 per night.
We found Florence to be very modest for hotels costs, especially compared to Venice and Rome.
Stayed in the Hotel Balesteri, on the Arno.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187895-d203902-Reviews-Hotel_Balestri-Florence_Tuscany.html

Cost is about $115-120 per night per room. It is in a great location and has a wonderful breakfast.

We really liked Hotel Albani Firenze on Via Fiume 12 in Florence. It is on a quiet street and an easy walk from the train station with luggage. We walked from Hotel Albani to the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi, and Accademia very easily. Room 410 was great with a balcony on an inner courtyard. The breakfast there is wonderful also. We loved the squares in Florence - Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signori. The cannoli and handheld waffles in Florence were a treat!

geovagriffith, choosing a couple random 3-night dates for Hotel Balestri in September, booking.com is showing nearly $1,000 and up for 1 room /2 people. Not sure what time of year you stayed there/how long ago? Looks like a very nice place, though!

Yes, I agree with Kathy. I put my dates in for 3 nights. One room was 950 euros without view and 1049 with view. The hotel I’ve reserved so far 767 for one room.

We last stayed in the Hotel Balesteri in 2010. I think we paid about 85 Euros per night. That was in July.

I just ran a search and picked a couple of dates (not high season) and the price was about $120 per night.

Also, I ran a three night stay in mid July on Kayak.com and it came up $532 for three nights/

I went directly to their website. September 19 through 22, 3 nights. I would think it would be cheapest on the website? It’s a great location.

I put the actual dates into Kayak for Hotel Balestri and only came up with one site (Snaptravel) offering anything under $300 a night. That one is $285 per night, and I can't view the details. It's also not a site I'm familiar with so wouldn't personally use it. The others shown were Expedia, Priceline, Travelocity, Hotwire, Kayak, Orbitz, CheapTickets, booking.com and Getaroom.

In any case, because Sept. is so far out, I'd be cautious not to land a "deal" based on a non-refundable rate. Also look closely at any fees one offer might include that another doesn't.

767/room/night sounds high for Florence. Did you look at the recommendations in Rick's Florence book?

That's $767 for one room for three nights, high season. Lulu, it's also possible that you've not reserved the lowest-priced economy room at your chosen hotel either?

Hotel Pendini is always my go-to, if you like being in the thick of it. The piazza can be great entertainment in the evening. Just sit, watch and enjoy.

Kathy, you are correct. I booked a Double Superior room, cancellable which is always more. I need to go back and see why I did that. My hotel bills for 9 nights for 2 rooms is getting up there.

Marc, I did have Hotel Pendini on my short list. But one review said there is no WiFi in the rooms, only the common area. That is a deal breaker for us. Is that true?

I don't recall having an issue with WiFi while we were there. I am confident I would have remembered as it is very important for my wife. Also, Pendini has large (by Italian hotel standards) bathrooms. That has been our experience, anyway. If you decide, contact the hotel directly and request a room with a balcony view of the piazza.

Have you checked with Booking.com, they have apartments that are really reasonable. We have booked one for the end of June first part of July in Florence.. They have the mileage from the sites and sometimes how close to the train station. No deposit can cancel close to the time you leave ours is 14 days before (just incase of sickness) with no fee. We have had great luck with them while traveling in Europe before. You do have to be careful checking to see if the apartment has a lift, if you don't like stairs. Of course you don't get the services of a hotel but they have kitchens and the best a washing machine.

hey hey Lulu
don’t know if you’re still looking at places to stay.
if interested check cross-pollinate.com they have apartments and BnB’s. Check what each one has as in amenities, read fine print, look at pictures, how many keys, etc
aloha

The last two times i was in Florence we stayed in the HD. La Maison du Sage is right across the street from Santa Croce. Very nice not expensive includes breakfast. Art Deco decor, feels like a private club.
B&B Dell'Olio is stumbling distance from the Duomo, if you can snag a few rooms. Both of these places are under 200 a night.