Originally Posted by JMN57

Would be curious to learn what you found so please post any further info.

While I don't believe that lists are good at defining ne plus ultra, it is interesting to see where T&L ranks the Lungarno.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/slid...best-hotels/10

Of course, a lot of this depends on ones priorities and tastes but I'm sure any of the hotels that made this list beats out the average Best Western.

Originally Posted by PWMTrav

I sent some emails to some friends to see what they could dig up for a low key New Years. The thing is, most folks wanting that are likely to do it at home - maybe go out to dinner, then go home with family/friends and some snacks and drinks. What we're essentially looking for is a restaurant or wine bar that might be open late and serving drinks and snacks, but nothing bigger than that. I'm sure it's doable, but it's not really something that they'd advertise since it's by definition not a big new years event.

I love Hotel Lungarno. It deserves its place in the rankings. For a special occasion, I can't think of a better place to stay in Florence (I was there on my honeymoon).

However, for the second year in a row we're staying at Granduomo. I'd prefer to be in Oltrarno, but it's really hard to beat what's essentially a 1 BR apartment (with kitchen) with housekeeping services and breakfast delivered. In December, we booked a Superior Apt for ~$150 a night. And it's not as though the place is run down or anything, it's recently renovated and very modern (maybe a little too modern) in decor. Not saying one is better than the other, it's just a matter of whether you prefer a true hotel, with lobby, bar, restaurant, 24 hr service, etc, or an apartment with some basic hotel-type services.

Big tangent, but I see the Inn at Little Washington at #30 on that T+L list. FWIW, I found the restaurant to be very good, but a little bit overrated. Nice to have done it once, but dinner for two all in was in the neighborhood of $800. In my absolute unbiased opinion, as I made the direct comparison before moving to Maine (and was still living in the DC area) was even on our radar, I think a chef's menu at Hugo's in Portland, Maine, is a superior experience - and $800 would probably cover airfare for two in addition to the ~$400 dinner. And while I get that the ranking is based on the IALW and not specifically the restaurant, it's honestly the restaurant that draws people there in the first place.

Originally Posted by JMN57

Thanks for the update. Looks like a great deal at the Granduomo. As I've gotten older and experienced enough expensive dinners, my tastes have gravitated towards well executed but more casual/traditional dining. Having dropped >$500 for two many times, I have come to the conclusion I can eat just as well at under $300 for two and be quite happy.

Good luck on finding the right place for NYE.

Originally Posted by PWMTrav

I'm just helping OP find something for NYE - we'll be there before Christmas for a week. Gotta get back to the US to visit family and all after that

I'm with you on expensive dinners. I could do just fine for $20 or $50. I do occasionally enjoy going out for something super creative, but I'm noticing the interval between my desire to do those sorts of things increasing over the years.