Rome • Florence • Bologna • Venice • Cinque Terre

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Rome

The Lancelot
Moderate - Splurge

The Lancelot is a lovely boutique hotel. They have a family room able to accommodate five up just one flight of stairs -- they also have a very small elevator. It has three singles and one double all in the same room and a full bathroom with hairdryer. There is a nice sized balcony off the bedroom with table, chairs and potted plants. We spent most of our time on the balcony when we were in the hotel as it was so pleasant. The hotel has a well appointed waiting area and breakfast room. The staff members were extremely friendly and helpful. The quiet leafy neighborhood is within walking distance of the Coliseum, the Roman Forum and other ancient ruins. Because our children are older we were able to walk all the way in to the city, but when we traveled the greater distance to the Vatican we easily caught a city bus just a few blocks away.

Please note: the family room is also wheel chair accessible.

Caesar House Residenze Romane
Moderate - Splurge

The Caesar House has two apartments; one that will sleep four and one that will sleep up to six. The Apartment Colosseo which sleeps six has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It is located near the Colliseum. Babysitting services are available.

Hotel Hiberia
Splurge

Hotel Hiberia is centrally located. They do not have a room that will fit a family of five with grown children, but they do have a quad and can add a baby crib at no extra charge. Contact the hotel directly asking for the best rate and explaining your family's size and children's ages. Breakfast is included in their rates.

Nardizzi Americana Hotel
Moderate - Splurge

Situated between Trevi Fountain and Tirmini Station, this hotel has a Quintuple room with air conditioning and tv. Breakfast is included.

Hotel Viennese Roma
Budget

Near Station Termini, this hotel has a quintuple room. Breakfast is included, and the room has free internet access with a computer. There are also movies to borrow for free.

Borgo Pio 2000 Apartments
Moderate - Splurge

These apartments were recommended to us by another parent with three older kids. The are located near the Sistine chapel on a quiet street. The apartments vary in size sleeping as few as two and as many as eight. The "Romolo" will sleep five with an extra bed included at 20 eros a night. The "Augusto" and two "Cesars" are already set up to accomodate five or more. I found the best deals on Expedia. Each apartment had a kitchen, hair dryer and toiletries.

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Florence (Tuscany area)

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Castello di Montegufoni Check out deals for Montegufoni on Hotwire
Budget - Moderate - Splurge (depends largely on choice of apartment)

The Castello is located about 25 minutes from Florence. It sits on top of the small hill town of Montegufoni, an easy jumping off point for visiting other towns in Tuscany. The Castello has a long and varied history starting in the 1100’s. A synopsis of that history and photographs of the Castello and its rooms can be found on their website. Our family stayed there for one week in the summer of 2004 and 2006. It is an extended stay establishment in that small apartments or villas are rented out in week long increments. It is not a hotel, but has many amenities like a swimming pool, front desk, small store (that makes the best lattes) and restaurant. The apartments in the castle all come complete with a kitchen and bathroom. There is also a laundry room on site for your use. There are many different bedroom configurations which will accommodate small to large families. Although there is some bus service, it would be necessary to have a car in order to visit the surrounding countryside and hill towns.  We found the staff to be extremely friendly and tolerant of children. There is a pay phone in the courtyard. View from the Castello

Castello di Montegufoni Castello courtyard Castello knot garden

Hotel Silla

This three-star, moderately priced, hotel has a family room that can accommodate a family of five. It is located on the left bank facing the Arno in a quieter leafy area about five minutes walk from the Ponte Vecchio. Piazza Michaelangelo and San Miniato are within walking distance but up hill. As with most hotels contact them directly through email regarding accommodations for a family of five. Rates include breakfast.

Lungarno Apartment
Splurge

Next door to the elegant Lungarno Hotel is the affiliated Lungarno Apartments. The hotel does not have a room that can accommodate five people but the Apartments with double rooms does. A double room apartment consists of one room with twin beds and the other with one large bed, and an extra bed can be set up in the family room. There also is a fully equipped kitchen and two bathrooms. These are not inexpensive but would be comparable to having to rent two rooms separately in a more moderate hotel. The Lungarno Apartments are centrally located very near the Ponte Vecchio.

Hotel Minerva
Splurge

This centrally located, four star hotel has a suite with two bedrooms and two bathrooms that can sleep five people. The rates include breakfast. It is not inexpensive but would be comparable to paying for two rooms in a more moderate establishment. The hotel caters to its younger guests with sweets and a drawing kit upon arrival, maps of kid friendly destinations and by helping to locate reliable nannies. There is also an outdoor, roof top pool.

Hotel Aprile Palazzo del Borgo
Moderate to Splurge

Located 300 meters from the Medici Chapel, this luxury hotel inhabits a restored 15th century building, and is an historic monument. There are quad rooms with a double bed and two singles that can accommodate an extra bed for a child up to age 3. There is also a suite that can sleep 5 people. Included in the room rate is breakfast, internet access, and evening lectures on the art and history of Florence. The 24 hour concierge can arrange car rental and baby sitting.

Hotel Azzi
Budget - Moderate

Hotel Azzi is located within a short walking distance from the train station and about five minutes by foot to the Duomo and other attractions. It is a two star moderately priced hotel that can accommodate a family of five. There is a library with travel books in many languages and a quiet terrace available to patrons.

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Bologna

Statue in city of Bologna

The Sheraton Bologna  
Moderate

This business person's type hotel is conveniently located next to the airport. When we initially requested a room for our family of five they offered two rooms, but after we inquired whether we could all stay in one room they allowed it. Our room was a junior suite with two double beds and a cot. We understood a cot to be a "cot" in American terms that is a fold out camping type bed. It was in fact a portable baby crib. Our eleven year old daughter is rather petite and a good sport. She actually slept in that crib since it was only one night. The room could not have accommodated an extra bed of normal size. So, if you are a family of five, and one of your five family members is an infant or toddler, this hotel could work for you. We chose to be near the airport because our flight left at 6:00am and we were only staying one night. There is a complimentary shuttle bus that takes you downtown or to the airport. The hotel restaurant is pricey but downtown Bologna had numerous reasonably priced places to eat.

Venice

Venice with gondolas

Palazzo Guardi
Moderate

Two buildings comprise the Palazzo Guardi; the main hotel and the annex which is only steps away. They are centrally located on an obscure street. The outside facade belies the pleasant decorating inside. The Palazzo Guardi has two four bedded rooms that can accommodate 4-5 and one five bedded room that can accommodate 5-6 people. A basic continental breakfast is included. The furnishings are ornate old-fashioned venetian style.

Hotel all Salute "da Cici"
Moderate

The Hotel Salute has suites that can sleep 5 and family rooms that can sleep 4. It is located in a quiet central area of Venice -- five minutes walk to Piazza San Marco. It is comprised of two 16th century palazzos. Rates include a very basic continental breakfast. The annex has been newly refurbished.

San Marco Hotels
Splurge

The above website actually consists of a collection of hotels. The three listed here all indicate have accommodations for families. They are all centrally located near the Piazza San Marco. The San Marco Palace and the Torre dell 'Orologio are comparably priced the Best Western Albergo San Marco is the least expensive.

San Marco Palace has family suites that will accommodate 5 and an executive suite that sleeps up to 6. There are floor plans listed on the website.

Torre dell'Orologio has juinior suites that will accommodate 4 people and executive suites that will sleep up to 6. It also has floor plans listed on the website.

Best Western Albergo San Marco is a three star hotel with family rooms that will sleep 4 and possibly five if all you need is a crib.

Hotel Agli Alboretti
Splurge

Located in the Sestiere neighborhood, a few minutes to St. Mark's Square and Rialto Bridge, this hotel has family rooms that can accommodate 5 people, some on the top floor with a common terrace. There is a restaurant and bar, and personal tours are offered. Internet access is available.

Cinque Terre (Manarola)

Manarola, in Cinque Terre

Ostello 5 Terre Youth Hostel
Budget

This Youth Hostel comes with family rooms that can sleep as many as six some with bathrooms included. Sheets and showers are Free. Some rooms have beautiful views. There is a restaurant on location. Breakfast is 4.50 Euros. The hostel located in Manarola, which is one of the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre.

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