ITALY - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1185

North of the Arno River
Between the Duomo and the Train Station
$$$ Hotel Centrale is indeed central, just a short walk from the Duomo. The 31 spacious
but slightly overpriced rooms—with a tasteful mix of old and new decor—are over a busi-
nesslike conference center (Db-€170, bigger superior Db-€212, Tb-€210, suites available,
discount with this topic, ask for Rick Steves rate when you reserve, additional discount
if booked 3 months in advance, air-con, elevator, free Internet access and Wi-Fi, Via dei
Conti 3, check in at big front desk on ground floor, tel. [phone], fax [phone],
www.hotelcentralefirenze.it , [e-mail] , Margherita and Roberto).
$$ Hotel Accademia, which comes with marble stairs, parquet floors, and attractive
public areas, has 21 pleasant rooms and a floor plan that defies logic (Db-€145, Tb-€170,
discount with this topic if you book direct and pay cash, air-con, free Internet access and
Wi-Fi, Via Faenza 7, tel. [phone], fax [phone], www.hotelaccademiafirenze.com ,
[e-mail] , Tea and Paolo).
$ Hotel Lorena, just across from the Medici Chapels, has 19 rooms (six of which have
shared bathrooms) and a tiny lobby. Though it's a bit like a youth hostel, it's cheap and con-
venientlylocated.ChattyRobertospeakslittleEnglish,butiseagertoplease(S-€35,Sb-€50,
D-€60, Db-€75, Tb-€95, very flexible rates, breakfast-€5, air-con, free Wi-Fi, Via Faenza 1,
tel. [phone], fax [phone], www.hotellorena.com , [e-mail] ) .
Sleep Code
(€1 = about $1.30, country code: 39)
S = Single, D = Double/Twin, T = Triple, Q = Quad, b = bathroom, s = shower only.
You can assume a hotel takes credit cards unless you see “cash only” in the listing.
Unless otherwise noted, hotel staff speak basic English and breakfast is included.
Florence charges a hotel tax of €1 per star (according to the hotel's official star
rating), per person, per night. So a couple staying at a three-star hotel would pay €3
each, or €6 total, per night. This tax is generally not included in the prices I've listed
here.
To help you easily sort through these listings, I've divided the accommodations
into three categories based on the price for a standard double room with bath during
high season:
$$$ Higher Priced —Most rooms €160 or more.