With an economy based almost solely on tourism, it is no surprise that there are so many hotels in Florence that offer high standards of accommodation for people wanting to visit the city. Constraints on building space mean that the city is more a place for small boutique hotels than vast imposing buildings with hundreds of rooms, and consequently, in order to get a real budget hotel, you have to go some way outside the city. The main hotels offer a more personal service than you might get elsewhere, and many first time visitors to the city are surprised by how they are treated as individuals, rather than as customers.
Location is everything in Florence, and although the city centre itself is quite small, it is important to be as close in as you can be so that you don't have to go too far in order to see the sights. A good choice hotel that offers great value rates, and has an excellent location is the 3* Hotel Machiavelli Palace, which has remarkable views of la Duomo from some rooms.
For those looking for a higher standard of accommodation, the elegant 4* Strozzi Palace hotel is a superb choice, with a location close to the Uffizi gallery and the main square, that puts all the main attractions well within walking distance.
