Not Just Hotels
Hotels aren't just hotels. To be called a hotel, a place must have over seven rooms. Otherwise it's an affitacamere (rooms for rent), which can be anything from a plain old B&B to the spare rooms in someone's private house.

A residenza d'epoca  is a B&B in a listed historical building. But careful: a residence is a self-catering apartment.

Mind the Tour Buses
Florence is tour bus city - they're everywhere. And of course, most tour companies unload all their guests into one hotel, and make them all get up at the same time and breakfast together.

So if you happen to be sharing a hotel with a tour group, and have the unfortunate desire to get up when they do, you'll find there's no hot water for a shower and they've eaten all the breakfast. Our top tip is therefore: avoid middle-sized hotels that look likely prey for tour companies.

Get Out of the Centre
If you're on a budget or don't like noise and crowds of people, stay away from any hotel boasting a location near Santa Maria Novella, the Duomo or the Ponto Vecchio.

The Oltrarno area south of the Arno is quieter and greener and if you like a morning stroll, stay near the Bóboli Gardens.

Final Word on the Florence Hotel Scene
Actually, there is no final word on the Florence hotel scene. It's pretty hit and miss. So if you've stayed there recently and have any good tips, please post them up here.

[Photo: Mr. G's Travels]