Rivages: Hotels and Country Inns of Character and Charm in Italy

I used this book in conjunction with information I discovered on websites, travel magazines and books. The places definately had character and charm. More upscale type places (probably not for the backpacking type)and extended lodging options available.Places listed here were difficult to find in the typical Frommer and Fodor travel books. E-mail, website address, #'s all available in the book. Trusted my instincts and booked several places from this guide and all were EXCEPTIONAL. Would use again

I have used the book on three road-trips to Italy and it never failed to be very helpful. I have stayed in about ten of the hotels mentioned in it and they were, with the exception of one, very close to the description given in the book. I think it is the best travel-related guide I know.

I'm not usually a guidebook fan, preferring instead to do tons of my own research from a variety of sources. Sometimes my friends ask if I'll plan their vacations for them, because I come across some of the most unusual and memorable places to stay that they've never heard of. This book had such special, wonderful information (and photos!) of so many charming and unusual places in Italy; it truly was a gem of a book. I stayed at several of the places recommended, and they were even better in person than in the book.

As the owner of Epiculinary, Distinctive Cooking Journeys, I often use this book as reference material to find hotels for clients travelling in Italy. In many cases, I have already visited the hotel myself but need a reminder about the property. Other times, I take the guide with me on visits to Italy to search out unique places to stay. Most of the hotel reviews are accurate.

My husband and I used this book to choose hotels for our honeymoon in Italy, and we adored every one of our selections. Not only are the descriptions thorough and accurate, the guide thoughtfully tells you how to get to each hotel and what cities and/or major attractions are nearby. In Florence, we were five minutes' walk from the Duomo; in Siena, we stayed on the top floor of a 15-century casa torre and fed sparrows from our window. In Rome, we had breakfast on the roof, overlooking the city, and luxiurated in a bath big enough for two at night. If you want hotels with history, that truly have "charm and character," look no further than this fabulous book.The contents run the gamut from bargain basement accomodations to hotels where you can expect to meet prime ministers and movie stars. There were a number of typos in my edition (it appeared to have been hurriedly translated) and as a translated work, you will find some places where no one speaks English. Most do, however, especially in the big cities and some of the hotels are run by native English speakers from England and elsewhere.A must buy for travelers, especially honeymoon and other couples!!