scrb

In the city proper, preferably between the Duomo and Signoria, north of the Arno (unless there is really something special about the Oltrearno which makes up for having to walk across to many of the attractions).

scrb

Forgot to add, already checked out slowtrav.com. Fairly slim pickings there. Plus a lot of villas away from town are listed as apartments.

Neopolitan

Look at www.sleepinitaly.com then click for Florence apartments. They show a number of them in Central Florence or with more specific central locations. Many of us use SleepinItaly for Rome, but I haven't seen too many recommendations here for them in Florence -- maybe because fewer people are looking for apartments in Florence than they are in Rome?

btewalt

Not sure if this is in the area you want to stay, but we enjoyed our stay in the San Lorenzo apts. at www.sleepinginflorence.com

Jean

Look at www.florenceflat.com for an apartment owned by the Alessandra Hotel and located just on the Oltrarno side. Although the website would seem to indicate that the flat is available only on a weekly basis, it was offered to us for five days in October. Although we ended up not accepting their offer (now staying with friends), the location is pretty good for most of the main sights. Also, the bus route from the train station runs through the piazza the apartment faces.

worldinabag

Hi

When? How long do you want the apartment? What is your budget? How many people? All these issues are important otherwise how long is a piece of string!

Cheers

Statia

I can also highly recommend the San Lorenzo apartments. www.sleepinginflorence.com. We were very pleased with the accomodation, service, pricing, location, etc. The apartments are located right between the Duomo and the Church of San Lorenzo.

scrb

OK, here's one that I found is available for my time. 798 euros complete for 6 days. It's the I Medici apartment listed in this link:

http://www.florenceby.com/firstofflo...ages/apart.htm

Price seems okay (includes all taxes and cleaning fees) but it's north of the Duomo and near the Piazza Santissima Annunziata. My preference would be to be closer to the river.

Any experiences with that area?

Jean

We haven't stayed in that area, but Florence is rather compact.

Annika_22

Ah. Bella Firenze!
It's a really small city, you can walk across it in an hour if you hurry, our tall Florentine rental agent did it in 30 minutes. The thing to keep in mind about the North bank of the river is that it's noisier and more crowded with tourists. The Oltrarno is a much more Italian place, slower paced (relatively), and you are closer to the Boboli Gardens, Palazzo Pitti and Piazza Michelangelo, which are beautiful. Walking across the river to get to the other attractions is very pleasant, and worth it just for the sunsets (unless you will be there in winter, when the wind absolutely howls over the bridges). The Santo Spirito neighborhood is a great area, though I may be biased having lived there for 5 months in '05. It's got a good market every morning where you can get fresh veggies, nifty stuff, new clothes, old clothes, bed linens, accessories, toiletries, anything.
My parents came to visit for two weeks and stayed in a beautiful apartment near Santa Trinita on the North bank, but it was very noisy at 4 am when all the vendors for the tourist market roll their metal wheeled mechanical carts along the streets to set up.
If you really want to be in the middle of all the action an apartment overlooking Piazza Della Republica, or with a few blocks of it in any direction will give you an excellent location with plenty of nice places to eat and plenty of sights to see, but remember it's gonna be noisy. Don't get a place near the San Lorenzo Market. If you haven't already got one get a tour guide, Florence is full of broke art history students who will enrich your experience tenfold. I'd guide you myself but you probably don't want me sleeping on your couch.
Check out:
http://www.housinginflorence.com/index.asp

AllisonK

I agree with Annika that it can be very noisy in the area you want. I've stayed in that area before and never again. I had to sleep with earplugs and still could hear the revelry until the wee hours of the morning. The last time I was there (last year) I stayed in the Oltrarno in a wonderful apartment not far from Ponte Vecchio. We slept soundly. And loved the location. http://www.vrbo.com/9714

fishee

Check out this great apartment. I didn't actually get to stay here but I love these wood beamed ceilings and the rooftop terrace -- the landlady seemed quite nice. I had to flake out on her at the last minute and she didn't have my deposit yet, so I feel like it's good karma to pass this along...

http://www.perfectplaces.com/vacation-rentals/7606.htm

Scarlett

fishee, very good idea, keeping your kharma healthy It is a darling apartment..I love the little area on the roof..and those ceilings.

Emiliana

You may want to take a look at www.florencedirecthotels.com There are a few selected properties and you can contact the hotel/apartments directly. I would suggest the Oltrarno area which is just across the river Arno, a few steps away from all main attractions and it's probably the real Florence, ina quiet area just a short walk from the city center and all its tourists.

scrb

Good suggestions but unfortunately, those are not available for the week I'm going.

I may have to do a hotel or one of the smaller B&B.

scrb

Someone recommends this place. Only 15-minute walk to center of town and well-served by buses.

http://www.casacimabue.it/en/Dove.asp

Seems too far out.