ITALY - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1194

$HotelDalí has10cheapandcheeryroomswithnewbathsandfloorsinanicelocation
for a great price. Samanta and Marco, who run this guesthouse with a charming passion and
idealism,areadelighttoknow(S-€40,D-€70,Db-€85,extrabed-€25,nobreakfast,fansbut
noair-con,requestquietroomwhenyoubook,noelevator,freeWi-Fi,freeparking,2blocks
behind the Duomo at Via dell'Oriuolo 17 on the second floor, tel. & fax [phone],
www.hoteldali.com , [e-mail] ).
$ Oblate Sisters of the Assumption run an institutional 30-room hotel in a Renaissance
buildingwithadreamygarden,greatpublicspaces,appropriately simplerooms,andaquiet,
prayerful ambience (€45/person in single, double, triple, or quad rooms with bathrooms,
€38/person with shared bathrooms, cash only, single beds only, air-con, elevator, Wi-Fi with
suggested donation, €10/day limited parking—request when you book, Borgo Pinti 15, tel.
055-248-0582, fax [phone], [e-mail] , sisters are likely to speak
French but not English, Sister Theresa is very helpful).
$ Locanda de' Ciompi, overlooking the inviting Piazza dei Ciompi antiques market in
ayoungandlivelyneighborhood,isjustrightfortravelers whowanttofeellikeapartofthe
town. Alessio and Lisa run a minimalist place—just five quiet, clean, tasteful rooms along
a thin hallway (Db-€100, Tb-€115, discount with this topic if you book direct and pay cash,
includes breakfast at nearby bar, air-con, free Wi-Fi, 8 blocks behind the Duomo at Via Pi-
etrapiana 28, tel. [phone], www.locandadeciompi.it , [e-mail] ).
$ Hotel Il Duca —a big, bright place on a quiet street a few blocks behind the
Duomo—seems like a basic building wearing a fancy coat. Its 13 pleasant rooms are a
great value, but don't expect a warm welcome or personal service (Sb-€85, Db-€90, third
bed-€25, air-con, free Wi-Fi, Via della Pergola 34, tel. [phone], www.hotelilduca.it ,
[e-mail] , Angela).
South of the Duomo
Between the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria
These are the most central of my accommodations recommendations (and therefore a little
overpriced). While worth the extra cost for many, given Florence's walkable, essentially
traffic-free core, nearly every hotel I recommend can be considered central.
$$$ In Piazza della Signoria B&B, overlooking Piazza della Signoria, is peaceful, re-
fined, and homey at the same time. Fit for a honeymoon, the 10 rooms come with all the
special touches and little extras you'd expect in a top-end American B&B. However, the
rates are high, and the “partial view” rooms require craning your neck to see anything—not
worth the extra euros (viewless Db-€250, partial-view Db-€280, full-view “deluxe” Db-
€300, Tb-€280, partial-view Tb-€300, ask for discount when you book direct with this
book, family apartments, lavish bathrooms, air-con, tiny elevator, free Internet access and