Where to stay when you leave.
Budget Stays in Florence: Johanna & Johlea
4/14/2008 at 12:55 PM
Tags: Italy Hotels, Florence Hotel Guide, Budget Hotels, Monica Guy

[Antica Johlea]
We warned you that the Florence hotel scene is pricey, whatever you do and wherever you stay. Blame the tourists and the forces of economics.
Your best bet for a budget stay in style and comfort near the centre of town is probably a residenza, a B&B-style hotel run by private owners. Don't sniff - it's a great way (the only way) to get a friendly welcome, super service and a reasonable bill at the end of the trip.
One of the best, or rather five of the best, of the residenze is the Johanna & Johlea chain of mini-hotels owned by Lea Gulmanelli and Johanan Vitta, a Florentine couple who've been in the business since 1994.

[Antica Firenze]
The five houses all follow the same pattern: they're all under six rooms, all in historic, interesting buildings, they're all within walking distance of the city centre attractions, and they're all between 85 and 140 ($130 and $220) a night for the two of you.
Most of the rooms have four-poster beds and they all have a television and internet access of some sort, whether Wi-Fi or cable. But in most other ways, the five houses are different. The newish Antica Johlea has a super top-floor terrace and silk curtains around the beds. The Antica Firenze is all marble bathroom and hand-woven linen. The cheaper Johanna II has a little garden and parking area.

[Johanna II]
You get the picture. The places are dotted around the city, so you should be able to get a room pretty much anywhere you fancy staying. Like a single hotel where you can choose the location and facilities as well as everything else.
The best part of staying in one of the couple's houses is the friendly service, mentioned in all reviews. The fact that there are honesty bars and honesty fridges tells you something. And even better, if you're not a handbag-flashing fashionista, is that it's fantastically unpretentiousness.
Related Stories:
Florence Hotel Guide
Leave a Comment
Not yet a member? Click here to become a member.
Already a member? Login below: