Hotel Davanzati, nice family run hotel, great location. We walked to everything.

http://hoteldavanzati.it

The Savoy

http://www.hotelsavoy.it/

http://www.hermitagehotel.com/

Great location, wonderful breakfast, clean, reasonable.

We stayed here years ago

http://www.laresidenzahotel.com/rooms.htm

The "years ago" means a lot could have changed, but the fact that I remember it so fondly should tell you something, too.

The rooms at the top were quainter and thus, to me, more charming. You could climb out a window and have your own private terrace.

Check outnthe fodors forum. Rick steves is a bastion of medicroty.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have had good luck with Rick Steves' recommendations. Good locations overall, and realistic descriptions.

Oh Gawd!!! Rick Steves is a cult. I kid you not, when DH and visited Italy, we followed Rick Steves recommendations, after the 2nd night of restaurant recommendations and everyone at the restaurants sporting a RS book, we determined it was a cult and never took another recommendation of his.

Agree with this. Our IL's did the same thing and followed his advice religiously the first week. They kept complaining how crowded and touristy the sites they visited were and asked us how we found our stuff - research online, tripadvisor, there is a slow italy forum with lots of good local information that is FAR better then Rick Steves.

Anonymous wrote:Have had good luck with Rick Steves' recommendations. Good locations overall, and realistic descriptions.

Oh Gawd!!! Rick Steves is a cult. I kid you not, when DH and visited Italy, we followed Rick Steves recommendations, after the 2nd night of restaurant recommendations and everyone at the restaurants sporting a RS book, we determined it was a cult and never took another recommendation of his.

I stayed at Hotel Malaspina (http://www.malaspinahotel.it/) 10 minute walk to the Duomo, within the old city walls, we walked everywhere. It's on the Piazza Indipendenza, and the two times I needed a cab, they were plentiful and easy to find. I'd stay there again without hesitation.

Thanks for the tips. We do use use Tripadvisor but really like to hear personal recommendations.

Have had good luck with Rick Steves' recommendations. Good locations overall, and realistic descriptions.

http://www.webhoteleuropa.com/
Nice hotel, great location. You can also use tripadvisor for traveler feedback on hotels

Recommend looking at airbnb.com for options. We've used it for planning trips to Europes in the past, and have been pleased.

DH and I will be there for 4 days.