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You’ve decided to see the Palio so everything else is secondary, right? Wrong. This page helps you make an informed decision about where you should stay in Siena because different people want different things. But first, some general information about Siena and its hotels.
| It's hilly. |
| Like many medieval towns, Siena was constructed on higher ground to make it easier to defend. The city is perched on three separate hills so you should expect to do a fair bit of walking between the Duomo, Piazza del Campo and Citadel. Siena may be hilly but it's small with a population of just 50,000. We estimate that an average person can walk from one side of the city to the other in less than 20 minutes. |
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| Parking is an Italian contact sport. |
| If you plan to arrive in Siena with a rental car, get ready for a battle. Like most Italian cities (Rome and Florence for example), Siena requires a parking pass to access the old town. We can arrange for a parking pass in advance. Hotels also charge between $15-$30/day for parking and it can be very difficult to find hotels in Siena's winding streets. This is why we recommend taking the train to Siena so that our guides can drive you directly to your hotel. Or you can park your car outside of Siena and we'll shuttle you to the hotel. |
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| The Palio is noisy. |
| The Palio isn't Mardi Gras in New Orleans but you should expect to hear a fair share of clapping, singing, and street music during your stay. In general, we recommend hotels that are in quiet areas but if you're in the winning district, you'll get caught up in the euphoria. |
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[Map this hotel]
Price Rating : $$$
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Chiusarelli Hotel
Rooms :49
Location :Northeast of the Piazza del Campo square near the Piazza Domenico. Within walking distance of the old town and most major sights. A manor-home style hotel with classic Italian common areas, terrace and restaurant but standard airport-style rooms
Recommend :Recommended for: Anyone traveling on a budget but wants to be close to the action
Pros :Newly renovated rooms. Good service
Cons :Rooms a little drab (despite recent renovations) and streetside rooms can be noisy
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[Map this hotel]
Price Rating : $$$$$
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Continental Hotel Siena
Rooms :51
Location :Unbeatable. Just 4 blocks from the Piazza del Campo. Within walking distance of most major sights (Duomo, Campo, etc). Museum-quality rooms with frescoes and antiques. Well-managed with great service
Recommend :Recommended for: 35+ travelers or seniors where price is not an issue
Pros :service, quiet, excellent restaurant, location
Cons :Breakfast is standard to mediocre, valet parking is $60 day
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[Map this hotel]
Price Rating : $$$
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Palazzo Ravizza
Rooms :40
Location :Siena city center just west of the Piazza del Campo but it’s an uphill climb to “il Campo” so bring your shoes. Traditional Tuscany villa-style hotel with a fairly good sized parking lot (a must when staying in crowded Siena) and the standard amenties
Recommend :Recommended for: 35+ travelers who want to do a lot of walking
Pros :quiet, price & very good service
Cons :Standard breakfast, no restaurant, and weak air conditioning
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[Map this hotel]
Price Rating : $$
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Villa Elda
Rooms :11
Location :: In a residential neighborhood near the citadel (the upper part of town). Small family-run hotel located on a leafy street outside of the old city. Standard rooms but perfect for those who don’t plan to spend much time in them. Modern, clean, with excellent service on the level of a small inn or large B&B. The owner, Giorgia is charming and really makes your stay memorable. The Palio and Piazza del Campo are a 15 minute walk downhill but you’ll have to walk back uphill to the hotel
Recommend :Recommended for: Cost-conscious travelers who want to see the Palio and don’t plan to spend much time around the hotel
Pros :price, location, family-style service
Cons :little to no parking, few amenities, no wifi
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[Map this hotel]
Price Rating : $$$
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Santa Caterina Hotel
Rooms :22
Location :The most central of the hotels reviewed here. Just a few blocks north of the Piazza del Campo (Siena’s main square where the Palio is held). The hotel is located on the busy street so there may be some noise depending on your room’s location
Recommend :Recommended for: Younger travelers or families traveling on a budget
Pros :Central location, comfortable rooms, parking (a necessity in Siena), clean and good service
Cons :Not all rooms have air conditioning, street noise, and narrow hotel stairwells often difficult to navigate.
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