Hotel in Florence, Italy

Ginger, I stayed at the hotel Albergo Firenze and enjoyed my stay there. It is very centrally located, just off of Via del Corso. The Duomo only a few blocks away in one direction, and the Piazza della Signoria only a few blocks the other way. The rooms were modern, clean and well kept. The service was great and the price was reasonable.

We stayed at Hotel Casci and enjoyed it very much. Have since sent 2 other sets of friends there and all have had positive experiences. It is not on a square, but is within walking distance of almost everything. How are you getting around. I do not recommend bringing a car into florence.

Hotel Accademia. Stayed there on a Rick Steve's tour. Easy access from the train station. Don't drive into Florence. Medici Chapel just around the corner. Easy stroll to the Duomo Square.

We also stayed at the Hotel Casci in March- just a long block and a half from the duomo. Very good breakfast, comfy rooms and clean. Also stayed at Hotel Dali for two nights- a little cheaper, clean, fewer rooms, it books up quickly. The owner, Marco, is great, very helpful. No breakfast but he steered us to a bar (espresso and pastry shop) near by- cheap and excellent. Also steered us to the indoor marketplace where you can get reasonably priced lunches, sandwiches, etc (along with fresh meat, produce, cheeses, etc) H Dali is also a block or two from the duomo (in another direction). Both are about a 10 minute walk from the train station. And we walked everywhere from both- including Ponte Vecchio and beyond.
Firenze is a great town to walk!

Don't have much experience with hotels in Florence, since I stay with family, however I know the Hotel La Scaletta, near my cousin's house, and I recommend it. Roof bar/restaurant to die for. I think it might be one of Rick Steves' recommended ones in his book.
http://www.hotellascaletta.it/ Regarding the square location, that doesn't make much sense to me. Nevertheless, anything in the historical center will be close to where you need to visit.

I had a wonderful stay at the Hotel Torre Guelfa in Borgo SS Apostoli 8. It's in the former Palazzo Acciaiuoli and has an adjacent 13th-Century tower that you can climb to a tiny rooftop sitting area with a 360° panoramic view. I loved the location because it was only a block from the Ponte Vecchio, and an equidistant 10- to 15-min. walk in one direction to the Duomo and everything around it, and in the other direction across the bridge to the Oltrarno, the Palazzo Pitti, and the Boboli Gardens, etc.

My vote is definately Hotel Accademia. We took it from the Rick Steves Italy guidebook and really enjoyed it. Ironically, we ran into a Rick Steves tour that was staying there when we were there. We booked a room on the top floor with a balcony facing the open square in front of the hotel. Great place, friendly and helpful staff, good price and centrally located. What more can you ask for?

Check out Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco. Great location and reasonable prices.

I stayed at the Hotel California on an RS trip and the location was perfect.
I don't know what the rates are, but they can be found on tripadvisor or a site like that. I was close to everything and I walked everywhere - both sides of the Arno.

I will vote for Hotel Accademia too. Stayed here 2 nights in Oct. 2011 with my sister and niece on a wkend trip from Rome to Florence. We had a large triple room which was perfect for us and you couldn't beat the location as we were arriving by train. Also has free wi-fi. There was a Rick Steves' tour group here at that time too but was not a problem. Have also rented an apt. in Florence and will again this summer for 5 nights but not necessary or even an option for one night.

We loved the Monna Lisa. Near the duomo. Beautiful and charming. Spectacular breakfast.