Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
everything needed for a convenient stay. It's a good place for meeting other trav-
elers, too, especially backpackers who can afford something better than basic hos-
tel accommodations. There are also a handful of classier hotels, of which I'll
recommend a few. The Santa Maria Novella District is centered on the Via
Faenza-Via Nazionale intersection.
- €€ The one-stop shop for budget lodging in this area is 56 Via Faenza.
That four-story building contains no fewer than six hotels/hostels. The most sur-
prising perhaps is Hotel Anna's
(Via Faenza, 56; % 055-2302714; hotelannas.
com), an extremely pleasant place tucked into the third floor of what appears from
the street to be only a low-end backpacker flophouse (it's not). The newly refur-
bished rooms here are spotlessly clean, with the type of classy, functional furniture
you'd expect to see at a three-star business hotel. It's also a friendly place with a
helpful staff. Continental breakfast is served in a little frescoed alcove, or in your
room upon request, adding 5 to the 70-to- 90 room rate. The ground floor
is home to Azzi
5
( % 055-213806; www.hotelazzi.it), a quirky, bohemian hotel
comprising 16 rooms, which range in price from 70 for a smallish double with
fan, to
5
70 and
110. Rooms are brightly decorated, and most feature an antique piece here and
a colorfully painted wall there to add a bit of ambience. The manager, Valentino,
and his partners run a number of hotels, apartments, and B&Bs in town, offer-
ing what he calls “a total housing solution”; they'll find something for you even if
the Azzi is booked.
130 for a suite during high season. Most doubles cost between
The friendly, older Italian couple who own and run Soggiorno Burchi (Via
Faenza, 20; % 055-268481; www.soggiornoburchi.com) don't speak much
English, but they'll cheerfully yell at you until you get your luggage and room
sorted. They have about the cheapest decent private rooms in town, at 45 for a
clean, extremely plain but spotless double without bathroom. Plus, they offer a
great deal on parking at 10 per day in a hidden garage next door. The 13 rooms
on three separate floors offer a mishmash of furnishings and views of the neigh-
bors through interior courtyards.
555
(Via
Faenza, 26; % 055-268430; www.hotel-nuovaitalia.com) is “just ask.” And they
mean it. Owned by Luciano Vito and his affable Canadian wife, Eileen (they met
3 decades ago when she was a tourist, and his family's hotel was recommended in
Arthur Frommer's Europe on $5 a Day ), it's a labor of love and the hotel has been
steadily improving over the years. Recently, the couple added double-paned glass,
air-conditioning, new carpeting, and re-tiled bathrooms (and even more changes
are in the works). In addition, Luciano and Eileen will do anything they can to
help you out during your stay in Florence, with honest recommendations for
sightseeing, shopping, and area travel. High-season rates are 119, but if that's
too pricey for you, you may be able to bargain them down. As they say, “just ask.”
The proud motto of the service-oriented Hotel Nuova Italia
€€
(Via Sant'Antonino, 18; % 055-
295451; www.hotelcity.net) looks like all the other undistinguished offerings in
this part of town. Inside, however, this highly recommended place is another
5
€€ - €€€
From the outside, Hotel City
Search WWH ::




Custom Search