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Florence & Tuscany 2010

Best and worst accommodations:

Best: Residenza il Villino
Why: Such wonderful hospitality from Sergio, Elisabetta and son Lorenzo -- and the hotel itself was charming and peaceful

Marianne Kurtz in Union, KY USA 11/11/2009

Best: Bed & Breakfast Il Bargello
Why: Wonderful accommodations and hosts. Went the extra mile to help us for the two days Alitalia airlines lost our luggage. They even went out to the airport to try to retrieve it for us. Their renovations of the 14th century building will be a delight for fans of HGTVs International House Hunters. Will stay there next time we go to Florence.

Robert Masson in Milwaukee, WI USA 11/10/2009

Best: In Piazza Della Signoria
Why: Probably the best hotel in Florence. Clean & well decorated, elegant, friendly, gorgeous, views, and a great price - They have it all. I definitely recommend this hotel.

Cindy Lepzinski in Lone Tree, CO USA 10/31/2009

Best: Panella's Residence, Florence
Why: Very convenient to everything. Quiet room and Graziella a gracious and helpful hostess

lance Reynolds in alameda, ca USA 09/19/2009

Best: Bellevue House
Why: We have stayed there 4 times, and in spite of location on the 4th floor (American) with no elevator, we feel at home there. They have helped us get to the eye clinic with pinkeye on a Saturday, made reservations, been ever gracious and generous with suggestions. We feel like we have friends in Florence.

Ken and Peggy Williams in Marietta, GA USA 09/19/2009

Best: Pensione Palazzo Ravizza
Why: Beautiful, peaceful garden with vising neighbor cats and a great view

Lori in Minneapolis, MN USA 08/20/2009

Best: Residenza Il Villino
Why: We enjoyed our stay in Florence with the help of Sergio (owner) and his staff. They were very helpful and accommodating people. They do understand what tourist needs. They provided us maps, places to eat, and visit, etc. The hotel is very clean and we loved their outdoor patio. I highly recommend this hotel. It's exactly what you said in your book. BTW, our son got sick and they went out of their way to help us find a pharmacy to buy medicine. They are awesome! Thank you Sergio...

The Goodrich Family in Fairview, TX USA 08/14/2009

Best: A Durmi in Levanto
Why: The owners were friendly and accomodating and the room and courtyard were beautiful.

Worst: Hotel Dali in Florence
Why: Under no circumstances could the bath be considered "new", the bidet was broken and the shower didn't spray.

Jim Mundell in Surf City, NJ USA 08/12/2009

Best: Il Poggiolo, Florence
Why: It was a nice quiet relaxing retreat, from the big city, but close enought to drive to sights in Florence. Our hostess Graziella was very helpful for directions to museums etc. Also not too expensive considering it is 15 minutes away from Florence.

Marco in Montreal, QC Canada 07/16/2009

Best: DeiMori La Massa in Casentino Valley
Why: This countryside villa is owned by the same owners of Dei Mori (B&B) in Florence. (highly recommended in your guidebook.) Located an hour from Florence, high in the hills of the Casentino valley. After two weeks of hectic sight seeing in Rome, Venice, and Florence, being guided by Rick Steves the entire way, we arrived at DaiMori LaMassa. As you are driving, and see the turnoff for Vertelli, and begin the climb to La Massa, you are transported into a world of serenity and beauty you cannot imagine. After arriving, hot and tired, we were warmly greetd by Peter and Danny and offered refreshments. We felt we were visiting long, lost friends. Seeing the star jasmine, geraniums, lavender, te trees, and olive tees in a serene courtyard, made us realize we were in for a fabulous stay. When taken to our room, we were very pleased by the attention to detail throughout our accomodations. From the mini kitchen to the down comforter on our beds, we felt truly at home. Our typical day at LaMassa began with birds singing outside our door, delicious home-cooked breakfast on the terace, sightseeing during the day, and relaxing by the wonderful pool, dinner in a nearby village, and a night sky filled with bright stars and fireflies. We highly recommend this countryside villa, not just for the beauty of the valley, and well appointed accomodations, but for the graciousness of the hosts, Peter and Danny, who made us feel like family the entire stay. We will return. DeiMori La Massa, Peter, and Danny will remain in our hearts forever. Words cannot describe.

JoAnne Cruson/Norma Foster in Nampa/Eagle , Id USA 07/02/2009

Best: Dei Mori, Florence
Why: Thank you Rick Steves for this fabulous find in Florence. People should not let the undaunting initial climb up 3 flights of stairs disillusion them. At the top is a bed and breakfast that will make a trip to Florence memorable. After the climb, we were greeted by the smell of bread baking, fresh lilies, soft classical music, and a beautifully decorated lounge/library. We were greeted by Danny, offered a refreshing drink, and given recommendations for restaruants, and sightseeing, then shown our room. The rooms are small, very clean,, and tastefully decorated. Breakfast included fresh fruit, French pressed coffee, homemade bread, and yogurt. The advice that Peter, Danny, and Suzanne gave us on restaurants, local sights, and car rental were etrememly helpful. The location being halfway between the Duomo and Uffizi is ideal. We highly recommend this B&B for a truly comfortable, welcoming stay in Florence. Also, check out their B&B countryside villa, Dei Mori, La Massa in the Casentino

JoAnne Cruson in Nampa, Id USA 06/30/2009

Best: Hotel Centrale
Why: My husband and I traveled to Florence and Rome (25 May-01 June) with our new-college-graduate nephew. We got a triple room for the Rick Steves rate. This hotel was centrally located - easy walking distance to everything. Extremely quiet, comfortable beds, spacious bathroom, exceptional breakfast with wide variety of choices. They bring you fresh-brewed cappucino or espresso. They secured Ufizzi Gallery reservations for us when we asked via email for their help after having trouble with the reservations Web site. An overall lovely place for a very good value.

Cecilia in Dallas, Te USA 06/15/2009

Best: Hotel Dali, Alma Domus
Why: Hotel Dali is like a home away from home. Alma Domus views to DIE for great location and AC.

Maggie F in St Louis, MO USA 06/01/2009

Best: Hotel Il Bargellino
Why: During our time in Florence we stayed with Carmel and Pino at the Hotel Il Bargellino. Their hotel is in a quiet neighborhood close to the train station. They were the most caring and gracious hosts. Carmel speaks English since she is originally from Boston, until as she told us she married the love of her life Pino. During our time there my husband became sick with vertigo and could barely get out of bed for 2 days. Carmel called a doctor for us and had him come to the hotel. While waiting for the doctor, I went down to the cash machine to get cash to pay the doctor, but the machine would not accept my card. So Carmel gave me the money to pay the doctor until I went back with my husbands card. Since we could not leave the room to get dinner, Pino was friends with a man next to the hotel who owned a restaurant and brought us dinner to our room. Pino and his friend do favors for each other all the time, so we were not charged for the very nice dinner. Carmel even brought us some wine to have with our dinner. We could go on and on about Hotel Il Bargellino. We highly recommend staying with Carmel and Pino, we will on our next visit to Florence Italy. Jeff and Lynn Cross Spokane Washington USA

Jeff and Lynn Cross in Spokane Valley, WA USA 04/19/2009

Best: Albergo Etruria in Volterra
Why: great sitting room. However, their showers were really hard to negotiate for someone who isn't very limber.

Susan in Kansas City, KS USA 04/09/2009

Best: Kattie House/Soggiorno Annamaria in Florence
Why: We loved this place. It is very reasonable and located on Via Faenza just down the street from the Central Market and not far from the Duomo and the Accedemia. Maria and her family made us feel so welcomed and the accomodations are very comfortable. There is no internet access, but an internet cafe is just across the street and there are many others to choose from that are close by. Maria doesn't speak English, but does understand Spanish, which was good, because my daughter, who came with us, is fluent. So brush up on your Italian or bring your Spanish-speaking daughter and enjoy a very cozy stay.

Malissa Lakin-Watson in Savannah, Ga USA 03/25/2009

Best: Jolly Hotel Excelsior
Why: Lovely accommodations, helpful staff, conveniently located near Piazza Gramschi

Mary Ann Bernauer in Plymouth, WI USA 01/23/2009

Best: Il Bargellino
Why: It was my first experience of a hotel in which the owners lived in the same building. In these commercial times, it is refreshing how Carmel and Pino run it. We experienced their reliability and helpfulness when we had a sickness. I also found out the things about a regular hotel that I used to think were important but aren't really.

RK in San Francisco, CA USA 01/14/2009

Best: La Villetta di San Martino, Umbria Italy
Why: We just returned from a wonderful vacation in Italy. Our favorite accommodations were at this B&B in Umbria (near Cortona). The owners, Ernestina and Gisbert, could not have been friendlier and the rental home was cozy and very comfortable. They were very helpful with everything we needed to know about the area and treated us like family. Erni's breakfasts each day were lovingly prepared -- hearty, healthy, and delicious. We didn't want to leave and can't wait to go back someday!

A Martinez in Denver, CO USA 01/11/2009

Best: Il Poggiolo - Agriturismo
Why: If you want to escape the busy city life, for the peaceful Tuscan countryside, this is the place for you. The hospitality, and helpfulness of Graziella, is second to none. She picked us up at the Rifredi train station, and provided us with all the information needed to see the sights during our visit. Without us asking, she had already made reservations for Florence museums, which otherwise would have been sold out by the time of our arrival. She will provide you with a true taste of living in a small Tuscany village - homemade treats, restaurants, the market with fresh bread, meats, cheeses, and homemade wine. Without a car we were able to travel in about 30 minutes to the train station by bus. We stayed in a private outbuilding with a full kitchen, bathroom, bedroom/living area. Il Poggiolo is secluded and peaceful, with Graziella offering welcoming Italian hospitality. Visit her website www.il-poggiolo.it for pictures and reservation information.

Colleen and Tony in Avon, OH USA 01/04/2009

Best: Hotel Smeraldo - Rome
Why: My father and I stayed here Late September. It was great! The location is prime! It is a 5 minute walk to the Pantheon and less than that to Campo de Fiori. It is about a 10-15 minute walk to the Coloseum/Palentine/Forum. It is a great place to start the Rick Steves “Night Walk Across Rome”. My father is 76 years old, he as able to walk to these locations without a problem! The room itself was clean, everything worked. The bathroom had new modern fixtures and was very clean as well. The room was on the small side, but for the price and location, it cannot be beat! The staff was not overly friendly, but courteous and professional. They had internet access. I would definitely recommend it. I would definitely stay there again if I were to visit Rome Again.

Kaz in Canyon Country, CA USA 12/18/2008

Best: Hotel Il Bargellino
Why: I have stayed at Il Bargellino twice and will stay there on future visits to Florence. Bargellino is a small hotel offering personal service, convenient location, and probably the best hotel bed I've ever slept on.

The rooms are a good size and most have a private bath. There are a few rooms that share a bath down the hall, so be sure and ask about that. Many rooms open to a lovely terrace, where guests gather at the end of a day of sight seeing to exchange experiences and share a bottle of wine.

Carmel and Pino are very accommodating and helpful with anything that you need.

(There are mosquitoes in the summer, but if you let the hosts know, they can provide a device that you plug in you room to repel them. It really works.)

Sharon Benton in Copenhagen, Denmark 12/16/2008

Best: Il Bargellino
Why: Il Bargellino is friendly, charming, immaculate and reasonably priced. Carmel and Pino are excellent hosts who make their guests feel welcome and at home. It is a good choice for women traveling alone. I felt safe and comfortable there. Advance communication by email is excellent and they offer to buy advance tickets to museums. They also provide a helpful guide to navigating Firenze which includes suggestions where to grocery shop, wash laundry, find markets and more. Il Bargellino is conveniently located in the center of the city and near the train station.

Sheila in San Diego, CA USA 11/17/2008

Best: Katti House
Why: While attending a conference in Barga, I was speaking with a friend who was having difficulty finding accommodations that next day in Florence. I noticed that he had your 2008 guide book, so I perused my 2009 edition to see if there were any additional recommended accommodations. One place stood out - Katti House. When we arrived that following evening, Maria and Francesco were extremely welcoming. Maria noticed that my wife had the 2009 Florence and Tuscany guide book, and became very excited. In her broken English and our broken Italian, we managed to conclude that we were the first Rick Steve's customers they had received. Francesco proceeded to open a bottle of home-made wine while Maria brought a tray of cookies. We talked and drank for a long while, and even got to meet their daughter, Katti, for which their business is named. Maria even called ahead to our next destination to reserve a room for us. All in all, we were impressed with their hospitality as well as the cleanliness of the rooms and the proximity to sites, restaurants, and the train station.

Curt Whitmire in Corvallis, OR USA 11/03/2008

Worst: Hotel Gallileo
Why: Lost our reservation. We had a hard-copy of the confirmation, so to their credit they found us a room at the same price at another hotel, but only after we insisted.

Diane Russ in Hartsdale, NY USA 11/03/2008

Best: Hotel Il Bargellino - Florence Italy
Why: This was our second trip to Italy.....Last time we stayed in a hotel north of Florence and bussed in daily but we decided this time we decided to stay in the old section of the city iteself.....We were glad we did.......We arrived late from Pisa but Carmen and Pino were there to receive us. Il Bargellino is a small hotel a short walk from the train station. The rooms were spacious and there is a 2nd story terrace that was great for coffee in the morning. It was quite convenient to all the sites, easy walking to the Duomo, Uffizi etc. Carmen provided recommendations for restaurants to top off our days and directions as well. Though we only spent 2 nights before we moved on to Rome, we'll be back to both Florence and Il Bargellino!

Phil in Raleigh, NC USA 11/03/2008

Best: Hotel Il Bargellino
Why: This hotel is a good buy for the price. Yes, it is not a four-star hotel, but it has a lot of pluses. The owners are very nice. They booked my museum reservations in advance. I got very prompt responses to my e-mails when planning our trip. Our room opened onto the terrace. It is wonderful to sit out there in the sun to sip your wine, write postcards and meet the other guests. For animal lovers, they have a parrot who will keep you company on the terrace. Plus, the neighbor's cat will come visit you, even get on your bed if you ask. The hotel is in a great location within easy walking distance to the major sights. It is near the Mercato Centrale where you can buy wonderful fresh fruits, cheeses, and cold cuts for lunch or breakfast. We kept the food in the refrigerator in our room. We had access to the microwave. There is a nearby inexpensive cafe for breakfast with omelets and hugh bruschetta topped with flavorful tomatoes. We highly recommend this hotel for the budget minded traveler.

Doug in Las Cruces, NM USA 10/28/2008

Best: Locanda Casa Querini
Why: recommended to us by Riccardo of Corte Campana, it was delightful. Room was beautiful, location was excellent. Quiet courtyard, good breakfasts (free), helpful receptionists even though they spoke little english. Would definitely stay here again.

Worst: Ostello Santa Monica
Why: The people working there were EXTREMELY RUDE! A very small sign indicating "checkout 10 a.m." REALLY meant BE OUT by 10 a.m. for cleaning purposes. They did not tell us this. When we were not out by 2 minutes my family was locked into their room!! Until I came up and argued with the cleaning lady. Another person had their luggage on the steps and she would not let him get it, therefore he missed his connections to his next destination. They then spoke about us in Italian, laughing, pointing, and shaking their heads. It was deathly hot - no a/c which is okay, but no cross ventilation of any kind either. We called it the "Sauna". It was extremely noisy with people slamming doors all night, loud talking, yelling. Nobody enforced quiet and respect for the other guests who wanted to sleep. I would NOT recommend this hostel to anyone!!! And I would highly recommend that you remove it from your book. Also, their directions were difficult to follow, making it difficult to find in the first place. This is by far the worst hostel that I have ever stayed in.

Wendy Shaw in McHenry, il USA 07/24/2008

Best: Hotel IL Bargellino Florence
Why: We found Carmel and Pino to be extremely helpful. The patio rooms were very clean and we enjoyed being able to take our wine out on the patio and converse with other guest. We did not find the rooms that opened to the patio to be loud at night. We were there in early May. They recommended many of the same restaurants that were in Richs' book.

Michael de la Pena in Shingle Springs, CA USA 06/22/2008

Best: Il Giardino Secreto, Pienza
Why: Beautifully restored rooms, nicely run, beautiful garden, peaceful and restful.

Worst: Il Bargellino in Florence
Why: Actually, Carmel was very helpful and the room was nice....but do NOT take one which opens onto the patio...We got no sleep until we put in earplugs because the hotel was full of Americans,and they sat out on the patio until all hours of the night discussing things like where they were from in America and which airports there were the worst..... no Florence info to be gained there even if you did feel like you wanted to eavesdrop. So if you stay there and really just want to spend your day seeing the wonderful art and other sights, get a room OFF the patio. With no air conditioning, it was tough to have to close those patio doors and use ear plugs in order to be able to sleep.

Barbara Prickett in Tucson, Az USA 06/16/2008

Best: Da Elisa alle Sette Arti, Lucca and Hotel Moderno, Pisa
Why: Very inexpensive (96euro a double for 3 nights in March). Shared bathrooms & kitchen. Good location within the walls. Helpful staff. Hotel Moderno is an easy walk to city center, train station and airport. Friendly staff. 50euro for a double.

Ann Prentice in Plymouth, MA USA 06/05/2008

Best: Hotel Enza
Why: Very friendly and helpful with everything, great value. Breakfast (additional $) worth it. Great location. AC worked. Great recommendation.

Nancy Casey in Olean, NY USA 06/04/2008

Best: Florence Dream Domus
Why: It was just wonderful. Perla was a delightful person with great recommendation in restaurants. Internet access 24/7, very accommodating!!! Put back in your book for 2009!!!! Just remember to mention that it's on the second floor.

Ana Miner in Novato, CZ USA 06/04/2008

Best: Palazzo Bruchi; Hotel Dali; B&B Valentina
Why: Palazzo Bruchi in Siena is perfection. Fantastic location; lovely room; clean; great view; every travel need has been thought of, from the snacks in the room to the clothesline in the bath. Lovely hostess was very sweet and helpful!

Hotel Dali in Firenze has a great location; clean room; Samanta and Marco are delightful. Samanta made all of our museum reservations. Coin laundry nearby, great markets, internet point was convenient.

B& B Valentina was lovely, clean room, great location, Valentina is very sweet.

Worst: Albergo Bernini Siena
Why: Can't comment on the actual room because they gave our reserved room away even though we were forced to mail a US dollar money order to hold the room. Fortunatly we found a really nice place but I would be cautious booking here. I've had to file for a refund of the money order which has a fee involved so basically I'm out the cost of the money order, the cost of the refund fee and of course the funds tied up for two months.

We were curtly informed by email the morning we were catching the bus to Siena that our reservation was cancelled--- how fortunate that we were early to the station and checked email.

I've received no appology from the owner just a bunch of attitude filled emails about how they are "world famous" HUH???? and have thousands of people that want their rooms --- so they really don't need me. YIKES.

A nightmare at the time but actually kind of funny now.

Maggie Flynn in Florissant, MO USA 05/29/2008

Best: Hotel Alex
Why: I don't believe it is listed in Rick's book but a great place to stay. A short walk outside the city wall, so convenient but affordable. the view from their patio is lovely. The owners, a family, are extremely friendly and helpful. A worker even stopped what he was doing and helped us drive our car out of the hotel garage that had a very steep driveway. And a nice breakfast room with a good breakfast.

Melanie in Houston, TX USA 05/13/2008

Best: Hotel Centrale
Why: Friendly staff, large airy room, great breakfast, central location. This hotel was wonderful. We thoroughly enjoyed our 3 nights there. It was a home away from home and we would recommend it highly.

Eileen in Apex, NC USA 04/26/2008

Best: Hotel (Soggiorno) Magliani
Why: I am a PhD Student and attended a conference for my first international paper. Cristina and her mother were very helpful; they booked me for the Academia ( I was there in May /June 2007). I had a street room, and the Americans outside were the worst! The hotel was as spare as any one star, very clean and the Americans who booked, courtesy of Rick Steves, were very friendly. The bookings are mostly American so I was able to talk with others about their visit. I visited Pisa with a colleague and we picked up an American exchange student on the way to Pisa while on the train. The Florence Tuscany guidebook gave us the amount of detail we needed to navigate as well as enjoying the surroundings. Had a nice pizza at a place in Pisa with a French cook who'd learned English in an Irish restaurant. I would recommend Magliano to those who are open enough to experience to share a bath with cool marble tile. So good in the mornings! I lucked out and picked up Internet access from somewhere too. The Espresso place just down the street opened before I hopped the bus to the conference. The bus system is easy, more or less. We were at the Villa donated to the UNY.

Linda in McAllen, TX USA 04/18/2008

Best: Il Poggiolo - Agriturismo just North of Florence
Why: www.il-poggiolo.it/index_en.html. Graziella rents two private apartments - we were in the large one which was very roomy for our family of 4 with a nice size bathroom, refrigerator, and microwave, dining and living areas. She will provide breakfast everyday if requested. Graziella picked us up at the Rifredi train station when we arrived and made sure we had all of the information that we needed for our activities each day. She always made sure we had plans for dinner and arranged some wonderful meals for us with friends of hers. She would even drive us to dinner and pick us up in her car if we needed it since we didn't have one. It took us about a half hour by bus to get into Florence and the bus stop was just at the bottom of her driveway. Her property was so peaceful and beautiful. In most cases, if you can book directly with the owners rather than going through an agency, you will get a much better price. We booked directly through her and received a great deal - so be sure to contact her directly. info@il-poggiolo.it

Julie in Shoreline, WA USA 04/15/2008

Best: Residenza d'epocha in piazza della signoria
Why: Our family of four stayed for a week in an apartment on the top floor-Apartment Giulio- it was well-run, centrally-located, smart, clean and had the "flavor of florence"

Lisa Drage in Rochester, MN USA 04/09/2008

Best: Florence Dream Domus
Why: More than a B&B. Marbles and antiques in a very comfortable and relaxing setting. Service excellent at reception and perfect breakfasts with fresh products. The perfect stay in Florence. Extreemly helpful in booking events and museum. Great wine tour.

GD Megighian in London, UK 02/14/2008

Best: Albergo Bernini (Siena)
Why: A warm welcome, a great location between the main sights and the bus hub, and the view both from my room and the breakfast terrace were stunning.

Brian Gulledge in Woodbridge, VA USA 02/11/2008

Best: Villa Romantica Lucca
Why: Perfect small hotel. The breakfast was relaxing-delicious. The house is beautiful but the Favilla family made our stay truly special.

Ian Turner in Oakes Denver, CO USA 01/16/2008

Best: Hotel Alessandra
Why: We had a superior room for 5 nights. The room was clean & comfortable. With the windows closed it was really quiet, even though it was on the street. The staff went out of their way to make our stay comfortable. Cappucino in the mornings was GREAT!!

Susan in Port Orchard, WA USA 01/13/2008

Best: Apartment of Lucia Freda
Why: The offer made by them was very good, they offered a deal of staying the 3rd night free and paying for 2 nights. We ultimately ended up staying for 4 nights! The apartment was completely at our disposal, the family lived 2 minutes down the same street. The family is very nice. We were there in Nov 20-23rd. We didn't know how to turn the radiator on. It was quite late when we had returned, even then Claudio, who runs the place, came and switched it on. His mother Lucia every morning would come and clean the apartment and make it spick and span again. On the last day we discovered that our travel alarm clock was not functioning, Claudio lent us his own clock radio for our benefit.

Kakoli Dutta in Sterling, VA USA 12/08/2007

Best: Hotel IL Bargellino
Why: My boyfriend and I stayed there for 2 nights. We loved it so much we came back for another night after visiting Rome. Caramel and Pino just make you feel at home. Pino walks around singing in Italian. Its just the cutest place, beautifully decorated and comfortable. The terrace from our room was so nice, too bad it was too cold to hang out on it. But we will be back in warm weather. And you will definitely find us there. Rates were just unbeatable!!

Anat Peri in New York, NY USA 11/24/2007

Worst: Residenza Dei Pucci
Why: This is a B&B, not a hotel, which was not indicated in the guidebook. A B&B does not have 24 hour staff at the front office/desk, like a hotel does. This is important to know for your arrival day, if you need to come in late. This place was VERY noisy, mostly from street noise. The only ventilation comes from open windows, but if you do that, you can't sleep for the noise. The breakfast spot was tiny- a narrow table in a hallway allowed 4 or 5 to squeeze in for a meager continental breakfast. A very disappointing recommendation. We found a much better accomodation nearby for 30 fewer Euros/night.

jody in seattle, wa USA 11/12/2007

Best: Il Bargellino
Why: Great value. Great location. Friendly and helpful hosts. We had no trouble sleeping. It was quiet in our room. Loved the resident cat!

Kathy Crandall in Colorado Springs, Co United States 11/03/2007

Best: Re: Hotels in Tuscany - please include city
Why: We are doing a Backroads cycling trip next May from Siena to Cortona and need some help. Could your feedback posters please add the name of the city next to the Hotel? This would help streamline our search, although they can be cross-referenced using Rick's books. Thanks - love your trip stories!

Don in Dallas, Te USA 11/02/2007

Best: Residenza il Villino
Why: Best room, best breakfast and best rate in our two week trip. Owner/staff very friendly and helpful.

Michael Sherwood in Prescott Valley, AZ USA 10/29/2007

Best: Hotel Dali
Why: Marco of the Hotel Dali is excellent! We communicated with him by email in advance of our trip. He and his staff made all the museum reservations for us at the times we had requested. The room was ready and clean upon our early afternoon arrival. He was very helpful with directions and suggestions about sights to visit around Florence. Also, Hotel Dali is very conveniently located to the major sights of Florence.

Joe Hartman in Raleigh, NC USA 10/27/2007

Best: Residentia Dei Pucci, Florence
Why: BIG ROOM! Lots of help from the staff there. They had a problem with hot water when we were there, so some may compain that there is no hot water. They got it fixed tho, and it was fine.

Barbara Powell in Lakewood, CO USA 10/21/2007

Best: Residenza il Villino, Florence, Italy
Why: From their warmest welcome to our sad farewell, we spent 7 days in August at this delightful B&B situated on a quiet street within walking distance of the major historical sites. Sergio, his wife Elisabetta and their son Lorenzo were excellent hosts who made us feel so much at home and provided us with unbelievably dedicated assistance in whatever we needed. They showed genuine concern and caring. We were thrilled with the very clean spacious accommodation, efficient air conditioning, delicious healthy breakfasts in the courtyard, and free internet access! We will never forget this B & B. We look forward to returning soon. It was a beautiful way to end a three week vacation.

Maurice & Joan Denis in Vancourver, BC, Canada 10/09/2007

Best: La Crociona Agriturismo in Montalcino and Hotel Santa Caterina in Siena
Why: It was great to be in rural surroundings at La Crociona. Fiorella and Roberto were very helpful with local directions, and Barbara helped us do our laundry in her laundry room. Lisa is the most delightful wine-tasting host you will ever encounter, and our 70 euro apartment was the most spacious facility we had in Europe.

The staff at Hotel Santa Caterina answered our every question, got our laundry done, and recommended a fantastic local restaurant. The terrace is an irresistable place for a before dinner drink, and is surely the calmest locale in Siena. In our opinion it is not worth paying for a larger room, as the one we had involved climbing stairs to a bedroom loft, while the bathroom and armoire remained on the lower floor.

Jim & Megan Taylor in Seattle, WA USA 10/09/2007

Best: Albergo Bernini - Siena
Why: This was the most charming hotel of my trip, I felt like I was staying in someone’s home! The family is really helpful in answering questions, and Mauro will play his accordion for you if you ask. The rooftop terrace and 7 euro breakfast were the absolute best (cappuccino, orange juice, croissant, pastry, and toast). It is SO beautiful up there, I spent an entire afternoon on the terrace just reading and looking at the view! I really enjoyed my stay here, and feel as though it really correlated with what I was seeking in a hotel, a more personal experience.

Jenny in Camas, WA USA 09/25/2007

Best: Hotel Il Bargellino – Florence
Why: I loved everything about this hotel. It a 5 minute walk from the train station (no need for a taxi when you arrive), and super close to all of the sites. I didn’t get much of a chance to talk to Caramel, but Pino was so kind and always friendly and smiling, asking if I had a good day. The hotel epitomizes attention to detail. Beautiful paintings and statues decorate the interior, and each room is equip with a little book they put together full of useful Florence information, including recommended eateries. With beautiful facilities and warm, welcoming hosts (and unbeatable rates!), I will definitely return to Hotel Il Bargellino.

Jenny in Camas, WA USA 09/25/2007

Best: Residenza il Villino
Why: This is a charming and comfortable B&B on a quiet residential street in the center of Florence within 10 minutes walking distance of major cultural and historical sites.

Sergio and his wife Elisabeth are gracious hosts who greeted us at breakfast in the patio in the morning and attended the front desk in the morning and afternoon. Roberto, a helpful evening attendant, managed the front desk until 10:00 p.m. We felt welcomed by Sergio, Elizabeth and Roberto as they were eager to help us with whatever we needed: directions, sightseeing information, looking up bus and train schedules on the Internet and assistance using the two computers (free Web access) in the lobby available to guests. When one of us one not feeling well, Sergio wrote, in Italian, the name of a medication to request at the pharmacy. Sergio shared personal stories about himself and family that gave us a better understanding of Italian culture.

Our room was clean, spacious and quiet. Besides the bed, there were two luggage racks, an armoire with lots of hangars, a small sofa, a small refrigerator, desk with a chair and shelf, television and user controlled air conditioning and heating. Nightstand tables and lights were conveniently located. Floors are covered in tile. Our large stained glass window opened to overlook the tiled rooftop and shaded courtyard. We didn’t have a safe in the room, but Sergio stored our valuables in the hotel’s safe. The building is secure. Suggestion: add a wastebasket to the main part of the room.

The spacious bathroom had a nice size sink with a wide rim to store items. There is also a small shelf. The shower stall was a standard cylindrical style found in European hotels with sliding plastic doors (fine), but we wished there had been a shelf in the shower to store shampoo and soap. Soft bath towels and super high-quality cotton hand towels were provided. The bottled shampoo and package soap also were of good quality. Lighting in the bathroom was fine.

Breakfast is served in the lovely courtyard, which is covered with a canopy. Trees and flowers surround the area. Breakfast included coffee and tea, juice, milk, yogurt, cereal, croissants, rolls, luncheon meat, and fresh fruit. Sergio offers espresso and cappuccino, as well. Complimentary English language newspapers are available.

We suggest taking a taxi from the train or bus station to Residenza il Villino. The sidewalks are narrow on busy streets and it’s about a 15-minute walk towing luggage.

Victoria Watkins in NEW YORK, NY USA 09/15/2007

Best: Palazzo Ravizza
Why: The room, breakfast, location... Everything abou this hotel was more than we could have asked for. We would stay here again 100 times over for the comfortable bed and constant smiles and help from the staff.

Allison Hardin in Atlanta, GA USA 09/13/2007

Best: Hotel delle Arti
Why: A wonderful place to stay, good location for exploring Florence, and a friendly staff. My wife and I stayed at this hotel a few weeks ago and we enjoyed our stay very much. Two weeks later, we came back through Firenze and we went back to the Hotel delle Arti, asking if they could store our luggage for a few hours. They were happy to and that meant a great deal to us. We will certainly be back!

Danielle & Jean Claude in Montreal, Canada 09/09/2007

Best: Residenza il Villino
Why: WOW WOW WOW! Sergio is amazing - makes you sort of feel like an old friend from the moment you arrive! The accomodations are very nice, but the warmth and welcoming attitude of Sergio and his wife, other staff is what makes this place absolutely unbeatable. The location is also pretty nice - a quiet area yet a short walk to Duomo, Accademia - nothing is very far in Florence anyway. The breakfast was delightful, also. I just cannot say enough about how welcomed we felt.

Tiphanie in Benoit, MI USA 09/08/2007

Best: Residenza Il Vilino and Meuble Il Riccio
Why: Kudos to the fine folks responsible for these superb accommodations. The Vilino, located near the Accademia ("David") in Florence, is a top-notch, great-value-for-money place, featuring tidy rooms, free internet, air-con, tasty cappucinos, and the kind of helpful, friendly service that makes travelers feel right at home. The il Riccio, meanwhile, located in lovely Montepulciano, is another place to seek-out. Gio is the embodiment of the helpful, caring host, and his place is very attractive, with a great central location, air-con, and smashing views of the Tuscan countryside. Plus, a big round of applause for his tasty homemade baked goods on offer at breakfast. Yum! Don't miss these two places should you be looking to hang your rucksack in either Firenze or Montepulciano. And thanks for the accommodation tips, Rick.

David Dillon in Westford, MA USA 09/01/2007

Best: Pensione Bencista, Fiesole
Why: This place was like living in a Jane Austen novel. We loved the family and the dogs and our lifestyle while staying there for 5 nights. The views from the terrace of Florence were fantastic. We loved everything!

Amy Scherer in Menlo Park, CA USA 08/13/2007

Best: casa rabatti, albergo bernini, ostello san frediano
Why: they were all affordable and clean. marcella at casa rabatti was so warm and friendly. she would speak mostly in italian but we understood her! she let us use her phone to call the calling card 800 number.

Paige Woodman in los altos, CA USA 08/11/2007

Best: Hotel Casci-not in book
Why: Very nice and friendly place, conveniently located.

Devin in Olympia, WA USA 08/06/2007

Best: Soggiorno Battistero
Why: Location. Views. Great owners. Clean. I'll be back!

Kathy Arcangeli in Oak Ridge, TN USA 08/05/2007

Best: Hotel Enza
Why: The room was immaculate, the staff exceptionally helpful and was an incredible value which included air conditioning and Internet.

Worst: Hotel Il Bargellino
Why: The room was overpriced with a lack of amenities. The shower tiles were cracked, the floor was dirty, the room was exceptionally hot and near the street with noise throughout the night. Towels were hard. Owners were nice, but the room was awful.

Mary Jo in Centreville, VA USA 08/03/2007

Best: Hotel Il Bargellino
Why: What a fantastic small hotel with a great location. Just a short walk from the train station and close to most sights. Pino was wonderful from the moment he greeted us we felt right at home. (Carmel was back in the states during our stay). The terrace is a beautiful oasis where you can relax with other guest and share a bottle of wine and your adventures of the day.I can't wait to go back to Florence and will definitely be staying at Hotel Il Bargellino. We contacted Carmel via email and booking and payment could not haver been easier!

Kathy Hermes in Everett, WA USA 07/21/2007

Best: Hotel Il Bargellino
Why: It was just lovely. The room had great antique furniture and an "Italian" feel to it, it was close to both the train station and the sights, and the information packet left in the room by the owners made Florence the easiest city to navigate.

Carly Bean in Moscow, ID USA 07/14/2007

Worst: Florence Dream Domus
Why: I don't really mean to categorize this little B&B as the worst, but that's the way this page is set up (best and worst). But I WAS disappointed.

We stayed three nights, arriving midday. I had asked the management to arrange reservations at both the Accademia and Uffizi Gallery. Well, the reservations for the Accademia were made for about the day and time we were arriving. Luckily--and with instructions from the clerk at Dream Duomo, we were able to use them the following day. We were told by the clerk that our reservations for Uffize Gallery were at 4:30 the following day. When we got there, we found that the gallery was closing. We then called the owner of the B&B, who spent most of the conversation making an excuse for our not getting into the museum and suggesting--as was done for the other reservation--that we try to get in the next day. That was not an option. it was a disappointment and we did not see the Uffizi.

And I also thought that the breakfast at this B&B was no more than average or pedestrian: not much choice, and the pastries weren't very fresh.

And finally, there was supposedly multiple channel cable TV in the rooms. Ours work the afternoon we arrived and the morning we left. In between it didn't.

In neither case (museum reservations or TV) did the owner make any offer to make things better--only excuses for our not getting to the Uffizi.

We spent our last night in Florece at a hotel nearer the train station. The price was lower, the accommodations were relatively the same, the staff was more helpful and pleasant, and the breakfast was more plentiful and of greater variety.

Joe Gawel in Saint Augustine, FL USA 07/11/2007

Best: Hotel Ungherese
Why: Sabina is the best. She really takes care of her guests. Sabina was always available to answer all questions. She should conduct classes in hotel management. Beautiful backyard garden. Rooms very nice and the neighborhood quiet with easy access to busses to Florence city center and Fiesole. Cappucino is excellent.

Craig in Salt Lake City, Ut USA 07/11/2007

Best: Hotel Davanzati
Why: This hotel is amazing -- from the lovely clean rooms filled with amenities (laptop computer, mini bar, sound machine if needed for noise, DVD player) to the incredibly welcoming, attentive staff, to the excellent cappuccino at breakfast and happy hour to the excellent location. My room was in the back and with the double paned windows I had no problems with noise (and I'm a light sleeper). The only thing Rick needs to emphasize in his book is the steep flight of steps (about 20) to get to the landing to then reach the elevator to reception and the floors. The staff will help with luggage but if you have mobility issues you will have problems.

Shelley Wood in New York, NY USA 07/04/2007

Worst: Hotel Pendini in Florence
Why: It is 4 flights(2 sets of stairs for each floor) up from ground with a tiny, tiny elevator. We walked most of time and it was agony. Rooms are worn down and staff is pleasant, but not very accomodating.

csw TX USA 06/28/2007

Best: Hotel Davanzati
Why: Great location, lovely people, spacious rooms, modern conveniences, delicious breakfast and terrific advice on where to eat and what to do. Couldn't be better.

Rose Ann in Cupertino, CA USA 06/18/2007

Best: Hotel Ungherese
Why: We stayed at Hotel Ungherese in May for four nights. It was delightful. Sabina and Leonardo were wonderful hosts and made our stay in Florence very memorable. It was really nice staying outside the hustle and bustle of Florence. Once we learned the bus system, it was a simple 10-minute ride into Florence. We caught the bus around the corner from Hotel Ungherese in a safe, quiet residential area. We purchased a 3-day bus pass and it worked out perfectly for getting around. Sabina made reservations for us ahead of time at the Accademia and Ufizzi Gallery which made our entrances into those two sites very easy. She was also great at giving us good advice on places to visit and where to eat and how to get there by bus. We took buses to Fiesole, Piazza Michelangelo, and to Settignano -- all had wonderful views of the City. Breakfast was a real treat - great pastries and awesome capaccinos. We will definitely stay here again on our next trip to Italy.

Al & Joyce Morgan in Seattle, WA USA 06/16/2007

Best: Hotel Enza
Why: Was located away from noise and traffic on a side street. Staff was most helpful with anything we asked about and the breakfast was good. Only drawback was they have to turn A/C off from 12 AM-7 AM and it did get hot one night. You could leave windows open, but beware of mosquitos. They can give you a candle to burn in the room to keep them away.

Dan Bertellotti in Foster City, Ca USA 06/12/2007

Best: Il Bargellino Hotel in Florence
Why: We enjoyed our stay in th8is clean, well-run small hotel. Carmel & Pino, the owners, made us feel more like family than tourists--she grew up in Boston, and they both seemed to take a personal interest in our comfort and enjoyment during our stay!

Paul A. Ellis in Tacoma, WA USA 06/07/2007

Best: Palazzo Bruchi
Why: Our hostess was so kind and warm. The room was lovely and felt like an authentic part of the neighborhood. The little kitchen and its Italian coffee pots were a great comfort to us! We also loved Stella the cat! J&K of Boston

Kathrine Douthit and John M. Anderson in Boston, MA USA 06/07/2007

Best: La Boheme B & B (Lucca)
Why: Ranieri is as gracious as you mentioned in your description. The rooms are clean and comfortable. My husband and I have been annual visitors for a few years now.

Christine G. in Chicago, IL USA 05/31/2007

Best: Soggiorno Battistero
Why: A great view, super fair price, and gracious hosts, English speaking and helpful in all respects. If you can get a room looking over the Duomo courtyard, as many do, you need no TV. Stairs need to be climbed but that is part of the exercise you need anyway. I really liked this place.

Tim in Johnson, GA USA 05/30/2007

Best: HOTEL ALESSANDRA
Why: A comfortable home away from home. Andrea and his mom go out of their way to make you feel welcome. He makes a special cappuccino with a chocolate smile. Their rates were more than reasonable included a good breakfast. The other Andrea and the staff were warm,friendly and accomodating.This is the best place I have stayed at in all of my trips to Europe. I definately will return.

Joseph Hilton in Los Angeles, CA USA 05/28/2007

Best: Hotel Centrale
Why: This place went out of their way to make our stay great. They made Uffuzi reservations, had a great breakfast, and were as the name implies...central! The rooms seemed like they should cost more, a real bargin here for everything you get.

Rob in Tampa, FL USA 05/23/2007

Best: HOTEL IL BARGELLINO
Why: I was traveling on my own and wanted to see as much as I could. I just came from Rome where I stayed in a hotel far away from the centre, and it made me very happy to see that Il Bargellino was so close to everything! I loved the single room that I stayed in. I admired all the paintings that were there, and this giganting mirror - just perfect to see if I looked ok, hehe. Caramel was very helpfull with what's where and how to get there, and Pino - well he made me smile :-) I wasn't there for a long time, so I could not relax on their great patio, but when I go back to Florence I definitely will, because this place is just like home!

Monika England 05/18/2007

Best: Il Bargellino
Why: What a great location and wonderful accommodations! After arriving by train to Florence, it's just a short walk to this small hotel. We were pleasantly surprised to find our room opened onto a large patio shared by all the guests where we had a wonderful time playing cards with Carmel and some other guests. Carmel and Pino's restaurant recommendations were terrific and where we found some of our best meals in Italy. The cost of this place can't be beat. It was the least expensive place we stayed and our favorite!

Sara Roman in Saint Louis, MO USA 05/17/2007

Best: El Marsam, Umbertide, Italy
Why: This bed and breakfast owned and run by Mike and Ginda Simpson was a lovely restful, relaxing haven. We enjoyed the countryside views from atop the hill where the B & B is located. We opted to dine in every evening as the food was great. Tastefully prepared and hearty meals. The Simpsons are knowledgeable on several area tourist sights and handed us printed directions with hints/tips of where to dine and what to look for. Most helpful when you do not know the area. The B & B is situated in an area which is a perfect starting point for many day trips in and around Umbria and Tuscany - our highlight being Assisi.

Sally A Acomb in Dundee, NY USA 05/13/2007

Best: Hotel Relais-Bosquet in Paris
Why: Great personal service, pleasant rooms, good location.

Linda Woodall in Gainesville, Ga USA 05/12/2007

Best: Hotel IL Bargellino
Why: Carmel and Pino are friendly and helpful. I appreciated all the information they have available for local eateries, internet cafes, and laundromats.The accommodations were spacious even for a triple. The terrace is a lovely place to relax.

Bobbi Jensen in Edmonds, WA USA 05/10/2007

Worst: Casa Santo Nome di Gesu convent
Why: This is the only place that we stayed in this book. They were nice enough and the view from our room was good. But the towels that they supplied (one set for three days) looked and felt like cloth table-cloths. Also the breakfast wasn't much to wait around for.

Craig Caldwell in Kaysville, UT USA 05/09/2007

Best: HOTEL IL BARGELLINO
Why: Great place to get a real taste of Italy. Convenient location. Clean and spacious room. Roof terrace a nice extra bonus. Friendly Carmel and Pino make the place a home away from home. Great help with signts reservation. Highly recommended.

CC in Lexington, Ky USA 04/21/2007

Best: Hotel Alma Domus in Sienna
Why: Location, comfort, value, helpful hosts and great view!

Worst: Affitacamere Lucia Freda in Florence
Why: No toilet paper, no working shower, other guests were extremely loud all night. Owner not on site but down the street, (actually he was in Milan and his mother was useless). No phone to contact her or anyone else. A terrible night was spent there, so in the morning we went to see Mama Marcella at Casa Rabatti who spent about 30 minutes calling other hotels to find us a room. She hooked us up with her friend Maria at Katti House where we stayed two nights and it was very nice. These two women were very kind to us.

Rachele Hemphill in Napa, Ca USA 04/12/2007

Best: Hotel Ungherese, Florence
Why: Clean, quiet, and in a neighborhood with no other hotels and not other tourists. If you've been to Italy, you'll know that there are tourists almost every. Staying here gives you an opportunity to see neighborhoods that few other tourists ever take the time to see. It's not near the sights, but that didn't matter to us as we were in Florence for five nights. We walked to the center. There are services like ATMs, tabbachi, an internet cafe, and a post office along the way to the old wall. You walk through time along the way. From places that are 200 years old you go back in time. The streets get narrower and the buildings older as you approach the center. Good value, clean. The proprietor is warm and friendly. We'd stay there again.

phil burger in seattle, wa USA 04/01/2007

Best: Soggiorno Battistero
Why: An incredible location - we opened our window and looked out at the Baptistery and Duomo - a wonderful view (one evening we could even listen to the madrigal choir singing by the Baptiatery), and when we closed the double pane window, nice and quiet. Kelly & Luca were excellent hosts, making all our museum reservations, recommending some excellent restaurants, giving great shopping tips (i.e., leather goods, pottery). They were always available, friendly, breakfast was good, and our entire stay quite reasonable and wonderful. Thank you Rick Steves!

Janet Caille in Roswell, Ga USA 04/01/2007

Best: Hotel Davanzati
Why: Everything! Amazing location, accommodations were excellent, service was amazing, the breakfast and evening "happy hour" terrific. Fabrizio went out of his way to make us feel at home. This was my mother's favorite hotel because of she felt like she was staying in a palazzo and my 13 year old daughter loved all the little extra's like the movie lending library after a long day of siteseeing. I loved the breakfast and the Chianti for happy hour was delicious!

Maria in Long Valley, NJ USA 03/19/2007

Best: casa portagioia
Why: casa portagioia is a fabulous place to stay. the rooms and apts are big, beautiful and so clean. the entire setting is breathtaking with a grand pool and beautiful gardens. the food is too die for and the owners couldn't be nicer or more helpful with our adventures.

tierney danehy in chicago, il USA 03/12/2007

Best: Hotel Ungherese
Why: Warm welcome and easy stay in nicely appointed room. Friendly proprietors tried to assist us in every way requested. Very quiet neighborhood, free parking, and easy access by bus to central Florence. Arguably the best cappuccino in Florence served with breakfast. Highly recommend!

Shari in Poulsbo, WA USA 02/16/2007

Best: Hotel Davazanti
Why: Delightful place to stay. Small but with all the appointments and run by a great family. Great central location - we virtually walked to everything.

Kathy Mooney in Ashland, OR USA 02/07/2007

Best: Novecento B&B Florence
Why: I took my neice to Italy for her first overseas trip and we loved this B&B. It is situated around the corner from the Duamo and when you sit on the terrac you feel you can almost touch it. The owner Franco is very helpful and the rooms are beautiful and maintained well. It is well worth what you pay being so central.

Pauline Dixon in Perth, WA Western Australia 01/28/2007

Best: Dream Domus
Why: Perla Mineo of the Florence Dream Domus was teriffic. We asked her to make reservations at no less than 7 museums and she arranged everything for us. Because of her kind help we were able to see several sites in the two days that we were there. The hotel was great and located in a very convenient area.

Nancy Otto in Austin, TX USA 01/24/2007

Best: Cas Portagioia (www.tuscanbreaks.com)
Why: The friendliest, most home-like place we've ever stayed. Exceptional rooms/apartments. Wonderful food. Top-flight recreation. Read Rick's recommendation in 2003 and we've gone back every year since. The finest "battery recharger" we've found. Do not miss this place!!

Dr. Michael Banks in New York, NY USA 01/24/2007

Best: Hotel Ungherese- Florence
Why: The owners were simply magnificent. Immaculate rooms,romantic garden. We ha a wonderful Christmas at Hotel Ungherese. Sabina was so nice and helpful with directions, tips and all suggestions she gave us.We higly recommend!!!Thanks to Rick again!!

Karin Baker in Dallas, TX USA 01/09/2007

Best: Alma Domas of Siena
Why: The Alma Domus was a great value at 60 EUR for a double room with a shower. The views of Siena from our balcony were absolutely stunning (and how often do you get a fabulous view and balcony with French Doors for that price?) The entry/lobby area had a stained glass window where you could peek into the beautiful Sanctuary of St. Catherine, that the Alma Domus was attached to. We normally take public transportation, but this time we took a taxi from the bus station to the hotel...I don't think we would have EVER found it on our own. It was totally worth the small 7 EUR charge...so convenient that we used the taxi to return to the train station, too. The rooms were very plain, but the location and views were incredible. The nuns disn't speak English, but different men worked the front desk in the evenings and were able to answer our questions. I would recommend this place to anyone...it was a very memorable experience.

Terry Miller in Bend, OR USA 01/06/2007

Worst: Hotel Ungherese
Why: Walls are paper thin and right in the lobby, you have to shower OVER the toilet and the owners are not as nice and accomodating as they seem. I was seriously disappointed!

Stacy in Atlanta, GA USA 01/05/2007