We are in the early stages of planning trip, and I need help selecting hotels for Venice, Florence, Sorrento, and Rome. We have used his suggestions for our trip to France and England. We liked the Hotel Relais Bosquet in Paris. I am tring to find hotels in these cities like the Relais Bosquet. I just bought the Italy book and I am having a hard time deciding between hotels. Thanks
Posted by
Lebanon
711 posts
We just returned from a month in Italy and were in Venice, Tuscany, Umbria, and the Cinque Terre. In Venice we loved the Campiello. It is close to everything, including the boat docks, yet down a quiet calle away from the maddening crowd. In May it was very, very crowdwd in Venice ( actually everywhere ). The hotel has an elevator, air-conditioning, a wonderful buffet breakfast which will last you until dinner, very modern bathrooms, and helpful staff. Also, there is a computer in the lobby for all to use. It was nice to be able to send and receive one's email. The rooms are not huge, but nice. The is a Rick's discount only if you mention it at the time of booking and pay cash. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Posted by
Henson, Florida, USA
466 posts
Traci:
Instead of a hotel, why not try a B&B. Give this website a try www.cross-pollinate.com. The B&B's are usually much cheaper than a hotel and you get to live among the natives. I'll always stay at B&B's and have met the nicest people. Check it out. Have a great trip
Posted by
Tampa, Florida
11 posts
We just returned from two weeks in Italy. In Venice we stayed at Hotel Riva. It is literally around the corner from St Mark's Square. We had the corner room with a view. The gondalas were right outside our room. It was great with two windows to add a breeze.
In Florence we stayed in Hotel Enza and found it wonderful. There is free internet in the lobby and the front desk happily helped to make dinner reservations. Rick calls it "basic and quirky" in his book, but I am not sure why. We stayed for 3 nights and found it very well located.
Hope those help.
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
I've had success finding hotels at www.venere.com. In Florence I stayed at Hotel Enza in April and was very satisfied. Last fall I stayed a few nights at Hotel Tivoli in Venice. It was inexpensive and nice, even tho not on a canal.
Posted by
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
705 posts
I stayed at the Pens. Accademia in Venice and it was great. best breaky and they had a terrace at the front overlooking the canal and a glimse of the Grand Canal and also a beautiful garden at the back. Almost unheard of in Venice. Well priced too. 2 minute walk to the vaporetto.
In Florence I stayed at the Pitti Palace hotel just at the end of Ponte Vecchio. Clean and great breaky too. They have a roof top terrace that looks out across to the Duomo. Central to everything and in a really nice area with great food shops and cosy bars.
In Rome I stayed in a B & B and it was good to live like a local but I've decided I'm a hotel type of girl. I like my room done each day, towels changed, bar to have a drink in etc. Personal preference.
Posted by
Florida
65 posts
I have stayed at many different places in Venice, I just got back a few weeks ago. We stayed at www.hotelsangallo.com Excellent location!! Nice accomodations, reasonable priced (esp. for location), they have a rough top deck area (serve breakfast there too). They have internet site (costs a couple of euros), although there is no elevator.
In sorrento-http://www.hotelsettimocielo.com/
We stayed here two years ago, great views, nice balcony! Clean. Reasonable price
Posted by
Falls Church, VA
20 posts
I recommend looking at the follwing sites:
www.venere.com
www.italyby.com
or www.tripadvisor.com (for traveler's ratings)
I've booked through both venere.com and italyby.com and have had good luck.
In terms of Venice, my favorite hotel is La Panada. It's very close to St. Mark's Square with nice rooms and a good breakfast.