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Lodging in Florence - Please help!

Posted by (Columbus, OH) on

My family (me, wife and 12-yo son) is visiting Florence on June 16-19 after visiting Venice and before heading to Rome. I didn't know that in advance but I've just found out by many sold-out hotels and b&bs in Florence that there is a big fashion event going on the same dates. I believe it's called Pitti Imagine Uomo.

After using the information on the Rick Steves Italy guidebook and seding emails to many hotels and b&bs, I've received offers from a few of them. If anyone stayed in any of them, please help me with your comments. The rates are per night.

  1. Panella's Residence (a suite for 190 euros)

  2. Hotel dei Macchiaioli (triple room for 265 euros average - two different rooms for 3 nights)

  3. Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti (triple room for 300 euros)

  4. Relais Grand Tour (suite for 160 euros)

  5. Relais Hotel Centrale (triple room for 305 euros)

  6. Hotel del Corso (a new hotel run by B&B Emozioni Charme / triple room for 218 euros)

I'm still waiting for other hotels to reply. Or if you have other recommendations, that'll be good too.

By the way, what's the difference between hotels and b&bs in Italy? Family-run or small hotels look just same as b&b.

Posted by
11613 posts

Technically the number of rooms establishes whether a place is a hotel or a B&B, but I don't know how strictly that is enforced. I've stayed in hotels with great breakfasts, and in B&Bs where coffee was self-serve from a stale-smelling dispenser and breakfast was a pre-packaged pastry or two. Best to check reviews.

Lately I've stayed at Hotel Paris and Hotel Bigallo, both very nice in my opinion.

Posted by
1175 posts

We've stayed at La Scaletta Hotel, a couple blocks from Ponte Vecchio south of the river and within walking distance to all the famous sights. www.hotellascaletta.it. The ladies on the desk staff are delightful, very helpful, and can chat with you on their website.

Posted by
10344 posts

Are you getting to Florence by train or car? It can make a difference in where you stay.

Posted by
34 posts

We are arriving in Santa Maria Novella rail station at around 6 pm. Of course we take train.

Posted by
2455 posts

No help on lodging choice, sorry for that, but I know that the definition of what is a B & B can vary by region in Italy. One time I was told that one reg was that at a B & B, the owner must live on the premises.

Posted by
32201 posts

jw,

The only thing I can suggest is that if you can find a vacancy, take it! You can always check the reviews on Trip Advisor to see if it's the type of place that would be acceptable for your group. At this late date and considering the fact that there's an event happening at that time, you may not have much choice.

Posted by
15157 posts

B&B regulations vary depending on the region. Generally it's a family run hotel located in the same premises. Some require the owner to be available in the premises or a nearby building, in any case the owner must be available on call. The Tuscany Region does not define these lodging in a separate law, so B&B are included in the definition of "affittacamere" (Room Lessor). For this typology of accommodations the premises cannot have more than 6 rooms (12 beds in total) in the same premises. The Affittacamere that provides at least breakfast may assume the name of Bed and Breakfast.

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