Good location to stay in Florence? ..or Venice?

By location do you mean actual hotel/apartment, or area of the city? For Florence as long as you are inside the old city walls, what is now the ring road or viale, you pretty much are okay - but I would say in general closer to the river is better. You have to choose between what you want to be closest too really - Santa Croce, Santo Spirito (across the river), around the station and the Mercato Centrale, or more near the center around Piazzas Signoria and Repubblica.

All are good - it just depends on what you are looking for.

Thanks,

I am trying to figure out what neighborhoods are good to stay in. Looking at travel websites it is hard to know that a nice place to be is.

Thanks again

"Good location" differs according to the traveler's interests. Share what you're looking for and you'll get better responses. Do you want a quiet neighborhood or a lively one? Do you plan on doing a lot of walking or will you be dependent on public transportation? What's your price range? What do you enjoy doing/seeing? Have you been to any of these cities before? etc.

Thanks Michael,

I actually have the books..and somehow thought a quick check on this site might help.

I have never been to Italy but, I travel a lot. I am a city girl so I am used to walking and I would like to see the sites, be able to walk to them, my budget is around $150 a night.

Thanks again!
Jeri

For Florence, Bellevue House ( in Rick Steves book) was great. We had a room in the back- away from the street; price was good; and owner was wonderfu!! Antonio was helpful; made reservations for us; and gave us all sorts of tips...I would stay there again in a minute:)
Happy Travels!

PS I just got back, so this is up-to-date info..

Venice is another story...be careful!! they pulled a "bait 'n switch " on us.....I would only book hotel in RS book...

I can't say enough good things about Hotel Dali in Florence. The rooms are quite reasonable - 65 Euros for a room with a shared bath in the hall, on the back of the hotel facing a courtyard. No A/C but extremely helpful hosts. Excellent location, you can see the Duomo from the hotel, plus a grocery store about 1.5 blocks away. I highly recommend this place.
We also used cross-pollinate.com to help us find a place in Venice. We stayed in the Rachele apt.(55 Euros pp/night). You can search by your price range, see all the amenities listed and their cancellation policy is great, even offering cancellation ins. if you wish.

I highly recommend Sogiorno Battistero, across from the Duomo. RS recommended.

http://www.soggiornobattistero.it/

We just got back and stayed at a great hotel very clean called Hotel Belle Arti in Venice (recommended by Rick Steves)it's a block from Accademia - very nice neighborhood with shops, cafes restaurants, etc. In Florence, we rented a beautiful apartment from homeaway property # 420459. Everything was within walking distance.

Nothing creative here, but Hotel Maxim is in the middle of everything that is Florence. Get a Court Yard Room.

I can also highly recommend Soggiorno Battistero right across from the Baptistry in Florence. Another good place right around the corner from there is Residenza Giotto.

Jeri,

I like Mario's Hotel on Via Faenza 2 streets over from the Stazione Santa Maria Novella or Hotel Desiree on Via Fiume 1 street over from the same station. I found Mario's in Frommer's and Michelin. I found Desiree through a friend. I liked both. You might also look at venere,com.

In Venice, last year we stayed at Hotel Abbazia near Stazione Santa Lucia on a quiet calle (alley) off of La Lista di Spagna. The place is a former carmelite Monastery. I also found this place in Frommer's and venere.com. Keep in mind that Venice, while beautiful, is expensive.

Buon viaggio,

RN

When visiting Venice, we stayed in Mestre, 200 metres from the train into Venice, Hotel Ambasciata. Beautiful, clean, and comfortable rooms. I think €80? They were friendly, and after walking around Venice, I was glad we didn't stay there, I wouldn't want the in and out of water taxis or Vaporettas with my luggage. Just not my thing.

Florence, we stayed at "Bed Florence" no sign anywhere, but it was the first floor of Hotel Aurora, but different owners (I believe) Our room was very clean, the bed had a little sag in the middle, but for €60, it was well worth the money, right beside the bus station, for ease of getting around Florence. The reception was very helpful in information, and the internet was free.

In Venice I recommend the Dorsoduro district. The Academia is there, and a couple of other "top 10" sights, is on the Grand Canal so easy access to the vaporetto. I found it to be better priced than across the canal nearer San Marco, and quieter with a definite residential atmosphere. If you use the search feature on Trip Advisor, the eastern end of the Dorsoduro is near the Academia and closest to San Marco, the western end is near the Rialto bridge, also a good location for sight-seeing.

Venice is so small that almost any neighborhood is good. If you want quiet, stay farther away from San Marco. We've stayed near the non-San Marco end of the Rialto bridge twice and enjoyed it (at Pensione Guerrato). I've heard good things about Cannaregio near the train station, if you want more of a neighborhood feel.

We just got back from Venice and stayed at the Dimora Marciana for 3 nights which is near St. Mark's square. It was a lovely, quiet hotel and 150 euros/night.

In Florence we loved Casa dei Tintori. Great location half block off the Arno River on a quiet street.It is an old fabric dye house from the 1400's. Only 5 rooms. but beautifully remodeled by the restoration architect/owner. Check out their website. Reasonable prices.

In Venice, I would recommend the Dorsoduro area. Its a short stroll to the more crowded areas, but calm and quiet.We stayed at La Calcina which overlooks the Guardeca (spelling?)Canal because I wanted a room with a view, but there are other cheaper places nearby.

Liz means the Giudecca, an island across a major canal from the bulk of Venice.

My husband and I did the exact same trip this time last year. We stayed in ARS. hotel in Rome. It's a lovely B&B. I forgot the location, but it was in the residential area far from the main metro station. As much as we love to be with the locals, figuring out what bus line to take was a hassel. We did not like the hotel in Florence, so let's not mention that. But we LOVE the hotel we stayed in Venice called "Hotel Gardena". http://www.hotelgardenavenice.it/en/index.htm

It's in Venice (not the in mainland) a very short walk across the bridge from the train station if you take Europstar fro Florence to Venice. And if you fly back to states from Venice, Hotel Gardena is close to the bus station that takes you to the airport. We love our stay there - clean, quiet, friendly and has lovely decor the rooms. The room we stayed has wall painting and Venician glass lamps. They serve breakfast too. Good luck.

Liz - I am so glad you liked La Calcina. I have a reservation for February (Carnevale) and am getting excited already!

In Venice, I would recommend Al Ponte Mocenigo. It is in Rick's book, is rated in the top 5 hotels in Venice on Trip Advisor and is away from the crowds. You are about a 10 minute walk to Rialto and 20 to San Marcos. The hotel staff is wonderful and it is a short walk from a vaporetto stop. I would definitely recommend staying in Venice itself. After the tourists leave you can walk around and really feel the magic of this marvelous place.

Campo di Fiori - that's a great area! In Florence, it's nice to stay a stone's throw from the Duomo, you're right in the middle of everything. If I remember correctly, the Santo Spirito area is nice and peaceful but as it's farther from the centre and the bus/train stations, some might find it a bit inconvenient. Dorsoduro in Venice is quiet and not overcrowded with tourists, interesting area to wander in. The San Marco district puts you at the heart of the city. I think that further north up Cannaregio is fine too. Venice's streets can be very confusing, and getting to your hotel from the train or bus station might involve a vaporetto plus some walking, so make sure your hotel gives you detailed instructions on how to get there. Once in Venice, practically everything is within walking distance. If you're looking for attractive locations to stay in, it's best to avoid the streets nearest the train stations - these areas can look (and smell) a bit dodgy.

We stayed at the Hotel Maxim in Florence. It is in Ricks book. It is a block from the Duomo, has a great breakfast included and is close to everything. Has free internet access also. I would recommend it to anyone.

We stayed at Loggiato dei Serviti in Florence-
My review on trip advisor:
I stayed at the hotel from Sep 5 through Sep 8 - 3 nights at 120 euro a piece. All the other trip advisor reviews were spot on and is indeed a hidden gem as Rick Steves had pointed out. The location cannot be beat. It is on a very interesting square which has street vendor occupying most of the day. There is a very beautiful church right on the square. Duomo can be seen from the square and is 5 minutes away. Uffizi gallery and Ponte Vichheo bridge is 10-15 minute walk. All the good restaurants are in the Palazzio Signoria square- near the Uffizi gallery- Il Fratellini, Che Che and Vino- all Rick Steves recommended were spot on and very good. Academia gallery is a stone throw away from the hotel- but found it too be very disappointing - the only highlight is David and nothing else. Uffizi gallery was just awesome and mind blowing in comparison. Duomo museum has more interesting art pieces compared to Academia gallery.

The hotel is walking distance from the Firenze rail station- walk through San Lorenzo market, Via Dei Pucci and then onto Dia Servi. It took us 15 minutes with luggage. The taxi we took charged us 8 euro - seemed a rip off for the distance.

The breakfast ( 7 to 10 am) is decent with the coffee being the best part.

In Venice we stayed at Hotel Vila Igea:
My trip advisor review:
We stayed here for 1 nights Sep 1- Sep 2 the room was clean smallish size, with a OK sized, fully fitted bathroom for $180. The location of this hotel is great, just a couple of minutes walk to San Marco Square, and from San Zaccharia Vaporetto (the water bus stop on the Ali Laguna line if you are coming from the airport.). It is just off the main walk path along the Grand Canal. There is a beautiful water spout right across the hotel – very good place to get your drinking water.

The breakfast was very good. The hotel staff is excellent – special mention for Tommasco – a very friendly Italian guy- who kept our luggage even after we checked out from the hotel. In all a very decent hotel in an ideal location.

Hotel Tritone- venice mestre
1/1 found this review helpful
I stayed at Tritone hotel for 1 night Sep 11- Sep 12 for $154

Plus :
--Location - right across Venice Mestre train station. Very ideal to get to Marco Polo airport using the 3euro shuttle bus that runs every half hour right across the street circle which is to the left of the hotel.
--Breakfast is the best- a lot of options with eggs, croissant, cereals, juices and coffee.
--Room and bathroom are very clean and fresh
--English speaking staff are very courteous and helping.
--Free wifi
--In all a very good hotel.
--Only negative is getting to Venice can get to be pricy being 15 euro a person- 2 euro train ride - RT and water bus 6.50 RT, but still deserves a five star

MUST STAY IN VENICE - 3 C Bed and Breakfast. We just returned 10/9/09 and stayed two nights here. We wished we could move in.

Price is very reasonable for a newly, renovated modern room. Cozy, extremely clean. Awesome owner, Enrico, and serves huge breakfast, included in price. WiFi for a small fee.

The location is perfect! A very quick walk from the San Marco stop, literally five minutes tops.

I booked directly through website: http://www.venice3c.com

Best to you!!