Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
€€€€
Rooms more than
€
150 a night
Boscolo Astoria
555
555
(Central
Palazzo Magnani Feroni
District, p. 102)
Hotel Savoy
(Oltrarno, p. 104)
55
(Central District,
p. 102)
APARTMENTS FOR RENT
As I've said, Florence currently has a glut of housing, particularly for those plan-
ning to rent an apartment, with the lowest prices going to those who rent for a
week or longer. It's a winning situation for travelers; renting an apartment can
dramatically cut lodging costs, given that a decent, centrally located two-bedroom
flat with kitchen and sitting room averages about
€
600 to
€
800 a week, a much
lower price than a similar level hotel would entail. Plus, you can stock a fridge
with breakfast and snacks, cutting down on food expenses, though you'll certainly
want to get out for dinner to sample the local cuisine. An apartment also offers a
relaxing home base, and can give you a real flavor of local Italian living.
A variety of agencies in Florence offer furnished apartment rentals to tourists
for weekly or monthly periods. Independent locals also sublet their apartments
directly, by advertising on the Internet, in school bulletin boards, or through fliers
on laundromat walls (though these can be iffy, as you never know what you're get-
ting). Instead, I'd opt for an agency that vets the properties it rents. There's some-
thing for everyone, from the palatial to the monastically simple. One thing to
keep in mind: A number of Internet-based companies consolidate listings from
private owners, so you'll often find the same apartments advertised on multiple
sites. Research carefully before you book.
Rentals Florence
(
%
055-2347206; www.rentalsflorence.com)
offers a dozen
different apartments for rent across the city, including three recently renovated
models literally a stone's throw away from the Duomo. The furnishings are basic,
but perfectly functional, and the location is unparalleled--you'll be able to climb
to the roof patio to enjoy sunset over the city. One of these two-bedroom apart-
ments rents for
2,200 a month, and can sleep up to six people.
Gabriela, the rental manager, speaks English well and works hard to make sure
people enjoy their stays. She also can give recommendations for rentals elsewhere
in Tuscany.
For a wider selection of centrally located apartments in all price ranges, look
to
Lodging in Florence
(Vicolo degli Adimari, 2;
%
055-280007; www.lodging
inflorence.com).
Lorenzo Clemente, its manager, and his team are hard workers
and know the options in Florence well. You can trust them to find an apartment
that matches your tastes and needs. The cheapest rentals are about
€
820 a week or
€
400 a week
for tiny (but centrally located) “bed-sits.” These small studio apartments have
bathroom and kitchen, and are clean and functional--but don't expect to do any
entertaining. On the higher end are cushy two-bedroom, two-bathroom refur-
bished apartments with views across the Arno to the Uffizi, for
€
1,450 a week.
The group also has a bed-and-breakfast option permitting you to rent a room in
€
