Hotel Accademia - Florence, Italy     

We stayed at this hotel in late December 2007. The desk attendants were always friendly, and always available when we returned (you leave key at front desk). I found the decor to be a little mediocre, which perhaps affects one's view of the hotel. The location was very good, and if you don't plan to spend your time in the hotel, then it is convenient both to the train station, the outdoor shopping stalls, and the other sites (all the main sites seemed to be within 5-10 minute walks). The breakfast provided was not of the same quality of other hotels we stayed in during our overall time in Italy. Each morning, there would be a place setting for about 20 people or so, consisting of a hard roll and a croissant (brioche). There were some standard choices as well, but I would skip the breakfast if you can get some discount off the room rate. Bathroom was cramped. One morning the water pressure ran out in the shower.

This hotel was recommended in Rick Steve's tour guide and we checked it out and were very pleased. The staff was excellent, spoke passable English, and very friendly. The night desk clerk even waited up for us the night we missed the last train out from Venice. Unforturnately, we had to spend the night in Venice and didn't make it back until the next morning. He said he was worried that something bad had happened to us. The room and bathroom were large and and very clean and comfortable and faced an enclosed terrace. Although we were five minutes from the train station and around the corner from the street market it was very quiet. We were so pleased that we stayed 6 days instead of 2 and took day trips from the convenient train station. Felt very safe and welcome in Florence, as opposed to Rome!