As arguably the second most popular city in the country, hotels in Florence Italy are not always the easiest to come by. Especially during the summer, the Florentine sun can often find poorly prepared visitors without a place to stay. The best hotels in Florence Italy are those found near the city's trademark Duomo, or just south in piazza della signoria. Being the city's main hubs of tourism, however, means ever-present crowds, and a Florence hotel in these areas can sometimes be difficult to come by. As far as views and accessibility to the many Renaissance wonders within the storied city walls, however, lodging in Florence is best here.

Hotel Savoy

It is not the cheapest though. This is a city that glitters gold and silver, and the price for Florence accommodations reflect that. Many of these hotels are converted palaces and restored buildings from the Renaissance and are worthy of a look, if not a stay. Named for the family that ruled the Florentine republic for centuries, the Hotel Savoy is located in the Piazza della Repubblica and has to be counted amongst the best hotels in Florence Italy.

The Piazza Santa Maria Novella area is home not only to the most expensive and glitzy in Florence accommodations, but also to row after row of budget hotels. The wise traveler would look for lodging in Florence here first, if possible. Near the train station is not always the best place to find a decent hotel, but luckily this piazza provides. The Grand Hotel Villa Medici is based out of an 18th century palace and includes a pool (a rare find in lodging in Florence), terraces and a private garden. These finds are easily trumped by the nearby Grand Hotel, Westin Excelsior (pictured below) and Hotel Albani Firenze, though, and have earned their reputations as the most opulent and glamorous hotels in Florence Italy. If you can afford to splurge on Florence accommodations, one these magnificent hotels in the recommended place to do it.

Florence Map

The southern side of the Arno also has some of the best hotels in Florence Italy, with the added bonus of closer access to the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens. Pensioni (budget hotels) and villas abound here; increasing in frequency the closer you get to Ponte Vecchio. Since most tourists prefer to stay on the river's opposite banks, this area is somewhat overlooked, though the general accommodations are definitely on the same level as the rest of the city's hotels. The Pitti Palace hotel is rich with medieval history and their guests are afforded the opportunity to stay in a renovated tower constructed in the 1200s. This hotel is for those looking for a wonderful combination of value and ambiance.