3) Notice that there are different classes of rooms within the same hotel. Your agent may be quoting

Can you give us some hotel suggestions. A travel agent we're working alaska cruise specials with has recommended the Golden Tower which is over $500 p/night. I'm hoping to find something a little alaska cruise specials less than that. I was told by some that is typical for a nice hotel. And I've also been told by others that is just not so. This is our first trip to Europe and we could use some help on finding a great hotel in Florence. Thanks so much
I stayed at a B B within walking distance alaska cruise specials of the train station (between the train station and Duomo area) a few years ago. It seems to be about 130 a night in Oct. I agree an apartment would be better for 6 nights.
I've also stayed in an apartment across the river which might not be as close as a first time visitor might want to stay (about alaska cruise specials a 15 minute alaska cruise specials walk from the train station, but bus also available). I paid 79 (Sept. 2011) a night for twin beds with kitchen/living room and interior garden.
The best hotels in town in Italian cities will typically cost $700 to $800 per night (similar to Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Mandarin alaska cruise specials Oriental, etc). If you are looking at 4* type hotels you will probably be looking at about $400 or so per night. There are perfectly pleasant 3* hotels that you can probably get for about $300 per night.
Do remember that the dollar is worth much less than the euro - so you need to take that account in terms of prices you should think if a type of hotel costs about $200 in the US it will cost about 200 euros (about alaska cruise specials $300) in Italy.
Susan - Since this is your first trip to Europe and you were clever enough to make your way to the wonderful Fodors alaska cruise specials forums, I would like to offer some basic info to help you in your quest. alaska cruise specials It sounds like you prefer nice places but your budget is not totally unlimited. You are smart to seek alternatives.
First, do your own primary source alaska cruise specials research. It is so easy with the internet. Do not rely on what the travel agent says. That is an absurd statement that you have to pay $500+ for a "nice" hotel. I don't think you even have to pay that much for THIS hotel. When comparing prices, remember these variables so you are comparing apples-to-apples:
1) Read the fine print to see if the rate is inclusive of all taxes (typically alaska cruise specials US websites or those that quote in US dollars do not include VAT or other local taxes. More typically, European sites such as www.venere.com do include taxes.)
3) Notice that there are different classes of rooms within the same hotel. Your agent may be quoting a suite. But this hotel has two grades below a suite: Deluxe and Classic. It looks like the deluxe room doesn't have twin beds but the Classic does. This might be important if you and your daughter are more comfortable with each having your own bed!
4) Notice any specials. This hotel, alaska cruise specials for example discounts their rate by 8% for those staying 2 or more nights but you have to select that rate class to get the discount. You can pay even less if you are willing to pay in advance, non-refundable. But the above rate still allows you to cancel 48 hours+ in advance alaska cruise specials with no penalty.
6) Although alaska cruise specials many here can recommend alaska cruise specials hotels, you will be getting the opinion of just one person. alaska cruise specials Check out ratings on www.tripadvisor.com alaska cruise specials or on www.booking.com (I like the latter because one must have actually booked through them and completed a stay to give a review, so less likely to have fake reviews submmitted by the hotel's alaska cruise specials own staff or friends) Also you can view hotel photos and map it.
7) With hotels anywhere, location is the main driver of cost differential among equally nice properties. The nice thing about Florence is that it is compact and very walkable. Just about anywhere between the Piazza del Duomo and the River will be nice. I'd just avoid the area around the train station.
I searched on your dates and find you can have a classic twin bedded room with breakfast, including all taxes for $425 per night, not $500 (that's using a generous alaska cruise specials 1.4 dollars to the Euro exchange rate). alaska cruise specials You can book this directly with the hotel. That is still pricier than you need to spend though it is in a very good location and rating a 9.1 (Excellent) on Booking.com .
I wouldn't pick a hotel in Florence based on good food. There are many good restaurants and would not plan on eating in a hotel. This historic center of Florence is very compact (20-30 minute walk from side-to-side) and about a 10 minute walk from the train station. B B's and apartments would probably not work for you if you want a lot of service. Try venere for hotels. It's website for booking hotels in Europe has been around for years.
The hotel that I would recommend in Florence is the Hotel Lungarno. It is right on the river and has the most beautiful views that really make being in Florence like a dream. I would definitely splurge alaska cruise specials for the rooms with a view. This is a really beautiful property without being pretentious. And a great place to walk to all the things you want to see.
WOW -- thank you ALL. I'm so relieved that I've checked in with Fador's.. you are all so generous w/your time and suggestions. I've got my research to do! Any additional suggestions would be so very welcomed and appreciated.
Thank you so much LeslieC. You have given me such valuable information and suggestions. I've already sent an email to my Travel Agent letting her know that the hotel she booked in Florence for that rate is not right for us. I will do my own research and possibly book the hotel on my own. I was a bit nervous to do that -- but you've given me such great info as have all that have responded that I think I will be just fine doing that.
Sites like booking.com alaska cruise specials and venere.com are widely used and secure. You can also book directly with hotels. Just look to be sure the site is secure. If you ever land on the site and it's all in Italian, just look for a link to English or an icon of a British or Amercian flag to switch to English.
I love to sort by rating (highest to lowest) and then by map view, to pick the neighborhood I like. Check it out for Venice too. You will start to have so much find making your own hotel choices, you'll never use a TA again!
The hotel Lungarno is very nice and with a good location. We preferred the Lungarno suites across the river for a one bedroom suite for about the same price with included kitchen and lovely alaska cruise specials bathrooms with shower.
My husband and I went to Florence last year and stayed at the Hotel Pendini. I loved it there, nice sized room, as well as bathroom. Very clean and includes Breakfast buffett. It was about $190's a night through Hotel.com . Nice location and very helpful staff.
I want to second the advice not to rely on a hotel restaurant for your meals (except breakfast, which is usually included in the room rate). There are sooooo many nice little family-run restaurants and pizzerias and they will be far less expensive than any hotel restaurant!
Just want to make sure you also realize that hotels in Italy might be rated differently than you expect. Number of stars does not denote quality. They denote amenities. So, a perfectly beautiful small hotel with no elevator would rank lower than a less nice hotel with an elevator. A regular place with a restaurant would rank higher than a lux place with no restaurant. Of course, the most expensive alaska cruise specials places will have it all, but some three star places are lovely.