Seeking center city hotel/lodging recommendations for 5 days in Vienna and 5 days in Florence in mid October.
My own recommendation would be Pension Suzanne, but your tastes might be different from mine. Any feedback you get here will be small compared to the recommendations posted on the Graffiti Wall under the reader feedback page for accommodations in Austria. The link is at http://www.ricksteves.com/books/feedback/static/392_2.htm There is also a similar page for Florence.
We quite liked Hotel Austria for its location on a quiet street near the northern edge of the inner ring. It was a couple of streets from the Schwedenplatz station from which you can get anywhere in Vienna and its environs. The hotel is also about three or four streets from the landmark St. Stephens Church on the main pedestrian only/shopping street in the city. The hotel is family-owned and has a very friendly staff and front desk and good breakfast as well. We continue to receive colorful quarterly updates on how the family (weddings, graduations, etc), the hotel and Vienna are doing as well as announcements of upcoming Vienna events. Here's the website if you want to follow up: www.hotelaustria-Wien.at
It would be helpful if you could post a budget and what sort of needs you have.
It's not the cheapest but we've stayed twice at Pension Pertschy in Vienna. Great location, terrific staff, great hotel. Will always stay there in the future.
You could stay at K&T Boardinghouse, where Rick Steves used to stay. The price is the lowest and the location the best in town. K&T's rooms are very modern and nice. They have also added a second property since I was there. The subway is under the street, and restaurants and a major supermarket is across the street. You can be inside the Ringstrasse in 5 minutes.
Tina is a doll, and she's online.