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There are many different types of accommodations in Italy: hotels, hostels, private B&Bs, apartments, guesthouses, and agriturismo.
This tip is about the most popular choice among tourists: hotels.
Hotels are ranked from one to five stars, but in Italy, the ranking is rather obscure and causes North American tourists much confusion.
A one-star hotel is very basic: a private bed in a private room, with a shared bathroom. If the hotel is on an upper floor, the chance of having a functional lift is slim. Breakfast is not offered in one-star hotels.
Two-star hotels give you a bit more: a TV and a choice of a private or shared bathroom. The room sizes are varied among these hotels. Breakfast typically consists of a cornetto and a cup of coffee. I've stayed in two-star hotels that lent me the iron, gave me extra pillows, and sent a clerk walking up two flights of stairs at 5:00AM to knock on my door (their version of a wake-up call). I've also stayed in two-star hotels where I couldn't ask for anything but the key to the room.
Three-star hotels are all over the board in quality, but a good one would have satellite TV, a telephone, a bathroom with bidet, and a shower with a deep bottom so water wouldn't be all over the floor. In smaller towns, we've found three-star hotels with very large rooms, beautiful antique furniture, sumptuous breakfast, and the cost is about the same as a two-star hotel in large cities.
Rooms in four-star hotels are large, with telephone, satellite TV, and large bathroom. Guests also enjoy a good breakfast, afternoon drinks in their on-site bar, free ADSL, and full service from a professional desk staff.
We have yet to stay in a five-star hotel in Italy, so I can't tell you whether it's comparable to five-star hotels in other parts of the world. Leave a Comment Theme: Hotel
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Hotel Leon D'oro is a four star tourist class hotel with approximately 60 well-furnished rooms spread over five floors. It is located within a stone's throw from the castle and several museums in the city of Rovererto. Among its well equipped facilities are conference rooms, high speed internet access, pets allowed, wheelchair accessible, restaurant, bar and lounge and mini bar, tv and safe depost box in every room.
It is a small hotel with impeccable service and exceptionally good food. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$80-120 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Via Tacchi 2, RoveretoDirections: Located within a stone's throw from the castle and the various museums, approximately 200 metres from the Central Railway Station in the heart of Rovereto.
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We liked the Hotel Continental in Sorrento so much that we stayed in it on two different visits. It was reasonably priced and in a perfect location. The rooms are large, well appointed, and the attached bathrooms are wonderful. This hotel has quite a few luxuries for such a modest price. The big fluffy white terrycloth robes were decadent.
The view from our balcony was spectacular. Its an ideal tourist center for a seaside visit.
The hotel is located at the edge of a bluff overlooking the sea. There is a small park that is lined with Palm Trees between the hotel and the edge.
We had direct dial phone, TV, Mini Bar, Hair dryer, safe, and a firm, comfortable Queen-sized bed.
This four star hotel has terraces, a solarium, a lovely outdoor pool, and fantastic views of the sea, and it is about half the price of the surrounding hotels. There is also a restaurant, a rooftop eating area, and beautiful art in the public rooms.
The service is excellent, and the staff speaks English and is quite efficient and friendly. What more could one want?
The photo was taken by my husband Allan of his sister Jayne and me on the balacony of our room. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$40-80 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Piazza della Vittoria 80067 SorrentoPhone: (081) 8781476
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B & H Hotel Bifi's is located at Sabbionetana kilometer 36 at Casalmaggiore in Northern Italy. It is situated between three provinces of Cremona, Parma and Mantua. The hotel has approximately 80 rooms spread over four floors. This is a modern four star hotel with a very beautiful lobby area.
Among its modern up-to-date facilities are LCD tv in every room, bar/lounge, restaurant, high speed internet access, elevators, health center, nightclub, 24 hour front desk, wheelchair accessible, free parking, business center with meeing and conference rooms and pets allowed.
Conveniently located near major shopping center just across the road and very close to Sabbionetana's historic area. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$80-120 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Strada Statale 420, Sabbionetana km 36, Casalmaggiore
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Grand Hotel Terme is located in a pine park at Piazza Italia, the main square of the new town in Chianciano Terme. The hotel has approximately 70 well-furnished rooms inclufing several suites spread over six floors. This is a four star hotel with spa. The hotel was constructed in 1988. It looks a little old from outside but it has modern interior with sophisticated up-to-date facilities.
Among its impressive facilities are bar/lounge, restaurants, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, health center with spa, massage, sauna, gym and fitness center, business center with modern meeting and conference rooms, high speed internet access, safe deposit boxes, 24 hour front desk, elevators, currency exchange, and pets allowed.
Impressive spa and health center with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, gym, sauna and solarium. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$120-180 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Piazza Italia 8, Chianciano TermePhone: +39 0583 081088Directions: Located at Piazza Italia, the main square of the newtown in Chianciano Terme.
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The first time that we were in Florence (1997), we took the advice of my friend, Jill Martin, who told us about the Plaza Hotel Lucchesi, which overlooks the Fiumo Arno [Arno River].
The hotel is about two blocks from the Uffizi Gallery, an extraordinary art museum.
Our room looked out over the River Arno. It was a medium-sized room with elegant furniture, a beautiful chandelier, and a wonderful private bathroom.
As we had a car, it was great that the hotel provided a garage, which we certainly took advantage of. We parked the car, and we did not use it while we were there. It's not a good idea to drive in Florence.
The room included breakfast, which was buffet style that was quite abundant and so delicious. We stayed for two nights, and we did enjoy breakfast each morning.
The hotel room included a hair dryer, plenty of closet space, a chair for reading, marvelous shampoo and conditioner [which we still have a sample of today!] The towels were of luxury quality and gigantic in size.
On the same block as the hotel, there were lovely shops. One that I recall was a stationery shop that had wonderful papers, pens, post cards, photographs of Florence, and appropriate gifts for the home. I purchased stationery with images of David on them, pens, and post cards.
All-in-all, we enjoyed our stay at the Plaza Hotel Lucchesi in Florence, and I would highly recommend it.
Note: The price indicates per person. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$40-80 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageDirections: It was 1997, and I do not have the address, but it overlooked the Arno River and was 2 blocks from the Uffizi Museum
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While in Florence for the second time, we stayed in the perfect location at the Hotel Della Signoria in the historical center between Della Signoria square and the famed Ponte Vecchio.
It has a very small lobby, but the desk attentant is helpful, efficient, and friendly. Our room was immaculate. It had a large window, queen bed, one chair, desk, centra air conditioning, and a beautiful en-suite bathroom.
The room itself was not very large, but it was sufficient. I remember that we did a good deal of hand washing in the sink and had our clothing hanging on the window ledge (inside the room) to dry so it looked cluttered most of the time.
There is a terrace for eating breakfast or a room just off the terrace.. The breakfast was included in the price of the hotel room, and it was quite nice.
The management was friendly and quite willing to help in any way possible. They were always answering our many questions.
The location is this hotel's greatest feature. We walked to everything. Being so close to Piazza Signoria is the best!
The photo is the statue of Poseidon [Neptune} found in Piazza Signoria. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$80-120 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 50123 Firenze, Via delle Terme, 1
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Although Assisi is inspiring, spiritual, and beautiful, it still lacks the simplicity that I had expected from the town of St. Francis's church and burial spot. But, after all the day trippers left, it was more of what I had imagined. Thank goodness, we were able to be there overnight, and thank goodness we stayed in The Umbra Hotel right off the main piazza [Piazza del Comune]. Note that this hotel is closed mid January until mid March].
Hotel Umbra is housed in an old palazzo and has lots of antique furniture, renovated bathrooms [ours was quite small], balconies, and the Umbra Restaurant. It also has a small but lovely garden in the front. The hotel is very hidden and could be difficult to find.
It has firm beds, English-speaking channels on TV, excellent showers with strong pressure, the perfect location, and, best of all, it is across from Temple of Minerva [a temple honoring the Roman goddess Minerva. She is goddess of wisdom and of war. Her Greek name is Athena]. Torre Tower stands beside the temple. [see photo]
I feel that the location and the garden were the outstanding positives of Hotel Umbra. One has to walk down an alleyway [by down I mean incline going down] to reach the entrance. The first thing that you see is the garden. I imagine that when it is very hot, this garden would be even more of a plus.
Hotel Umbra is family owned and run, and the service is excellent. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$80-120 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Via of Archi, 6 o6o81 Assisi (PG)Phone: 075812240Directions: Located in Piazza del Comune
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When Allan and I visited Sicily, we wanted to see Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, and the best place to stay was at the 4-star Colleverde Park Hotel. This hotel has a panoramic view of the ruins as you can see if you click the photo to see the fabulous view of the Valley of the Temples from our 3rd floor hotel room!
The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, free parking, and English, French, German, Spanish, & Italian are spoken here.
There are 3 single rooms and 45 double rooms. A double room ranges from 130-175 Euro. At the time that we were there in 1997, it was much less expensive.
Colleverde Park Hotel is set in a huge park-like area with tropical vegetation, olive and almond trees, and panoramic views of the ruins.
They have a large, well-equipped solarium, a restaurant with regional and national cuisine, luggage storage, hair dryer, and air-conditioning.
They also have a great TV in the room with several English-speaking channels. They allow small pets.
We were on the third floor and had views of the Valley of the Temples.
Each room had an en-suite bathroom with bath or shower.
I cannot say enough nice comments about this fabulous Colleverde Park Hotel...it has it all: location, beauty, and service. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$80-120 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Via Dei TempliPhone: (0922)29555Other Contact: FAX (0922)29012
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While staying in Cortona for two nights, we stayed in a lovely family-owned and run hotel called Hotel Italia.
There is no parking/driving in Cortona, so to speak; thus, we had to park in one of the public parking lots outside the town walls, and then we walked up,up,up the hill to the town center. Hotel Italia is located in the center of the ancient city. It was a palace from the 1600's and offers a quiet, tranquil place to stay. There are 27 rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. The building has an elevator, a lovely breakfast room, a restaurant, and a small entry room.
Our room was great. It had tile floors, beamed ceiling, beautiful antique furniture, and a brand new modern bathroom. Our room was located on the 3rd floor, and the windows looked out over the inclined lane and other beautiful Cortona buildings. On the floor above us, there was a large roof terrace room from which you can admire the fertile plains and a distant view of Trasimeno Lake. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$80-120 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: Via Ghibellina, 5-52044 Cortona (AR)Phone: 0575 630254
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on June 2, 2005
on February 12, 2009
on April 22, 2005
