Milan, Florence, Rome hotel recommendations?

I stayed at the http://www.hoteldesartistes.com/ in Rome, and it was fantastic; I'll definitely stay there if I have the opportunity to return. We loved it because the price was low enough that we, as students, were able to afford it - and we were pleasantly surprised by how luxurious the rooms were. Also check out the pictures of the rooftop commons area! Have a great trip!

I really recommend http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/italy_menu.htm! I"m giving you the link for his web site, but really, you want the books. They are in every library and bookstore. His recommendations for accomodations are typically economical and in great convenient locations. Also, make sure you check out his reader's recommendations on the http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graffiti_menu.htm. Oh, and in Rome, DON'T stay in the Campo di Fiori. It's a great place during the day (flower and produce market) and in the evening (gorgeous piazzas with hidden little restaurants to die for). I'd been there on my first trip to Rome, but when you sleep there, it's NOISY!! It becomes party central a few hours after dark.

I've never stayed here, but in a former life used to book college students and faculty groups at the http://www.romeby.com/tiziano/ in Rome. The college still has people stay there, more than 15 years later - it's a 4 star, centrally located, and the management is very nice.

The http://www.hotelsavoy.it/ in Florence is lovely, centrally located, and quite expensive. The http://www.spadarihotel.com/english/frames.htm in Milan is cool, centrally located, and slightly less expensive. I recommend them both if someone else is paying... You should eat at Pepò (Via Rosina, tel 055 28.32.59) in Florence.

Funny that there are two Italy accomodations questions on the same day. I'll repost what I said in the other one: [repost] In 2003 [in Rome] I stayed at a really nice little B&B "Regina 157," which is at Viale Regina Margherita, 157. http://www.regina157.com/ is their Web site, though I am having trouble getting it to load right now. I seem to recall it being something like 60-70 Euros per night... It has nice high ceilings and is fairly spacious. I really liked the balcony in our room, the ancient elevator, and the giant Roman keys. [/repost] Anyway, this place is a little bit away from the historical center of Rome, so you'll need to take the bus or a cab to find the major attractions. But it is much more "Italian" than the large hotels and other places you'll find in the center. That's because you'll be in a real neighborhood, not much frequented by tourists. I'll take the liberty of suggesting a couple of restaurants too: "Il Ditirambo" at (I think) 77 Piazza della Cancelleria, near Sant'Andrea della Valle, and its sister restaurant, right across the street. Hope you enjoy your stay. I wish I was going myself.

My wife and I have just returned from Italy and stayed two nights at the http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187895-d237516-Reviews-Albion-Florence_Tuscany.html in Florence, at Il Prato 22r, ph (055)214171. It's handy to the train station but far enough away to be out of that touristy area. About a 10 minute walk to the Uffizi etc, just enough to work up an appetite for dinner, and walk off the after-effects afterwards. Our room was a good size, though the bathroom fairly small, as is often the case. The staff couldn't be more helpful and the hotel itself is full of paintings on every wall, on the staircases, on the landings etc. There's free fast internet access for guests too, and car parking in a private garage. Cost us €120 per night including breakfast, which was about average for a city that size we thought. And if you're looking for a great restaurant try "Le Botteghe di Donatello" right by the Duomo on the east (quiet) side. We were starving and were sceptical of finding a good value-for-money place right by such a major tourist attraction, but it was superb. The pasta is made fresh on the premises each day - none of that pre-cooked microwaved pap you often find in the tourist zones. Lovely to sit outside and gaze at the Duomo while sipping Chianti. The only detraction (or bonus depending on your point of view) was the hollow-eyed youth who came round at about 10pm laying a crack pipe on everyone's table. *Sigh* In the shadow of the Duomo.

I'd recommend pretty much anything available through http://www.cross-pollinate.com/, which is affiliated with the folks who run http://www.the-beehive.com/english.html in Rome. Most everyplace hooked into their mini-network fits your requirements: older, nicely kept, and affordable (but not cheap). This website saved my ass more than once while gallivanting around Italy last June, thanks to the relative ease of booking a good room with little to no notice. They're limited to Rome, Florence, and Venice, however. Grab the Rick Steves Italy guide, if only for the restaurant recommendations, which are pretty damned good...as long as you go after 8pm. There's a tiny old hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop in Florence that simply cannot be missed, though I can't remember the name of it offhand. Also in Florence--avoid staying anyplace that overlooks the Straw Market, unless street noise at all hours doesn't bother you. ...man, I wanna go back to Italy...

I second Rick Steve's books. If you don't want to buy them try the library.

I would recommend http://www.tripadvisor.com/ for this kind of question, there are stacks of user-contributed reviews for popular destinations like Rome. At least check it out before you book.