Boutique Hotels

Two Boutique Hotels in Florence and Rome

By Donald Miller, Staff Writer

October 2007

The reception desk and breakfast area of the Hotel Casci are warm and inviting.

Finding a decent place to stay presents one of the most daunting challenges for the independent traveler. We want lodging that is safe, clean and affordable as well as conveniently located to transportation, restaurants and other activities in which you may be interested. In Italy (especially Florence and Rome) the decision becomes complicated by the overwhelming number of choices. Fortunately for our readers, we have stayed in small unique hotels in both cities that satisfy the above criteria.

We love the Hotel Casci Florence because of the central convenient location, the history of the street and building and the Lombardi Family who operate the hotel. Originally Via Cavour (where the hotel is located) was the swordsmith street. Later when the powerful Medici Family ruled Florence the street was lined with palaces of nobles related to the Medicis and later became the residence of Gioacchino Rossini who composed the Barber of Seville and the William Tell Overture (Long Ranger song). In 1926 the hotel distinguished itself with much fanfare as being the first hotel in Florence to have hot and cold running water.

Today the hotel sits in the middle of all the tourist action. Within a few minutes walk is the Accademia Museum (where the statue of David is located), the Duomo (the massive Florence Cathedral), the Uffizi Gallery (one of the foremost art museums in the world), and the Ponte Vecchio as well as innumberable other attractions. The Lombardi Family has operated the hotel since 1990 and they are an encyclopedia of information concerning Florence and nearby areas. More importantly, they are fantastic in assisting you in getting tickets to the more famous museums which can save you hours of waiting in line and a lot of frustration.

Inc The lobby at the Hotel Lilium was impeccably clean and beautifully decorated. luded in your room rate is an excellent buffet breakfast. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms, color television (CNN and BBC World), air conditioning, hair dryers and refrigerators. Internet is available near the reception area.

For those of you who relish traveling by train, the Hotel Casci is an easy ten minute stroll from the train station.

We read about the Hotel Lilium in Rome in National Geographic Traveler. Their photograph of the parquet purplish-green floors got our attention and sure enough the hotel looked just like the picture. The Lilium is a small hotel with only fourteen rooms. They are all light and airy, decorated in a floral motif with en suite bathrooms, satellite TV, hair dryers and free DSL on the hotel's computer.

Again the location is a major advantage to this property. Arriving at Termini train station it was an easy fifteen minute walk to the hotel. You are close to bus routes, the subway or if you enjoy hiking, most of the major sites in Rome. The Colosseum, the Forum, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon are within a thirty minute walk. Walk the city, have a gelato, enjoy a pastry and soak up the ambience of Rome while heading to your destination.

They also offer an excellent buffet breakfast as well as 24 hour concierge service. They also sell bus tickets and take most major credit cards.

We would highly recommend both of these hotels. Their locations provide visitors with easy access to most of the major attractions of both cities as well as convenience to train stations. We never felt intimidated by unsafe surroundings and the hotels and rooms were extremely clean. The staff at the Lilium was helpful but the Lombardi Family at the Casci was truly extraordinary.

**All photos by Donald Miller

If You Go

Hotel Casci Florence

Via Cavour 13,

50123 Florence, Italy

Phone 39-055-211686

Fax 39-055-2396461

www.hotelcasciflorence.com

info@hotelcasciflorence.com

Lilium Hotel

Via XX Settembre 58/A

00187 Roma, Italy

Telephone 39-06 4741133

Rome@liliumhotel.com

www.liliumhotel.it