"Not going to break the bank" is not really useful. Everyone has different ideas of budget. Suggest you give a specific amount in euros that you want to pay - and what you expect to get for it.

Consider Il Giglio in Motalcino.
www.gigliohotel.com/en/

http://www.laterrazzadimontepulciano.it/

There are several on this list at 100E or less.


BOB’S FAVORITE DIGS IN TUSCANY
A. RURAL LOCATIONS: All have parking and good food options nearby

1. Relais La Saracina www.lasaracina.it 230 to 300E
Fabulous country home near Montepulciano—helpful owners

2. Cretaiole Agriturismo http://www.cretaiole.it/ Good value for families
Isabella also has 2 apartments in Castelmuzio for rent—a good option.

3. Terre di Nano www.terredinano.com 100 to 155
Both rooms and apartments at rural Agriturismo near Monticchiello

4. Casanova di Pescille http://www.casanovadipescille.com/ 100E
Rural B&B 3 KM from famed San Gimignano—we loved the views of San Gim.

5. Fattoria Tregole www.fattoria-tregole.com 110E to 180E
Has both B&B and apartment accommodations. Near Castellina in Chianti

6. Agriturismo apts. near San Quirico— www.poggiolo.info/ About 110E

7. New historic B&B north of Pienza. http://www.camprena.it/index.htm
Site of filming for THE ENGLISH PATIENT About 90E for double

8. http://www.borgoargenina.it/index.html A special rural B&B in Chianti.
The lovely owner, Elena, will make you feel like family. 170E for double

B. IN-TOWN LOCATIONS: For walking convenience to shops & ristorantes.

1. Palazzo del Capitano www.palazzodelcapitano.com 170 to 210E
Very nice small hotel in center of San Quirico—perfect location to explore.

2. Vecchia Oliviera www.vecchiaoliviera.com/ 150 to 200E
Nice 4 star hotel at the gate into lovely Montalcino---has pool.

3. Palazzina Cesari www.montalcinoitaly.com 80 to 110E
Lovely small B&B in heart of Montalcino—great value—2 night stay minimum.

4. Locanda di San Francesco www.locandasanfrancesco.it 180 to 200E
New boutique B&B in a lovely location in Montepulciano—great reviews !

5. Politian apartments http://www.politian.com/ Good value apts. with
minimum stay of 3 nights in Montepulciano---helpful host---85E

6. Palazzo Ravizza www.palazzoravizza.it 170 to 250E
Very nice & popular hotel in Siena with parking.

Some of these may work for you-


http://www.santamariapienza.it/index.php?lang=ing

http://www.agriturismocasalpiano.it/index.html

http://en.agriturismo.com/farmhouse-accommodation/agriturismo-fonte-all-oppio-pienza.asp

http://www.cretaiole.it/index.en.php
(Excellent location)

http://www.terredinano.com/pages_eng/prezzi_agriturismo_toscana.aspx

http://www.lafonte.toscana.it/2006/ita/
(Excellent location)

http://www.agriturismosangallo.com/ENG/home.html

http://www.tobruk.it/agriturismo.php?lingua=en
(Incredible views and a beautiful property)

http://www.casafrati.toscana.nu/
(Well priced)

http://www.lupaia.com/location.html
(A beautiful B&B located in the valley below Montepulciano)

http://www.lafoce.com/
(Beautiful apartments/houses/villa/property- very special)

http://www.lacasadiadelina.com/index.php?page=default&id=9&lang=en
(A small, lovely B&B located within the small, lovely town of Monticchiello)

http://www.lemaribelle.it/intro.en.php
(3 apartments located in Monticchiello)

If none of the above works for you, consider searching these two websites-

http://www.cretedisiena.com/english/

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/europe/italy/tuscany/valdorcia

I'm going to check out everyone of the suggested hotels. What we really want is the atmosphere of the country, farmhouse, views, I'm not even sure how to describe it except that if we're staying in the Tuscany area we want it to feel like the country. Big rooms and upscale decorating is not a priority. Just want the feel of Tuscany/

By all means check them all out but if the rental is for this season, time is a bit of a premium. That's a great list and should cover the gamut of options and prices. Good luck.

What time of year? Do you need AC? Pool? Do you want a kitchen or just a room?

I've stayed at Bonellino Vecchio before which is budget on the road between Pienza and S. Quirico. They have rooms and apartments, but no AC. They do have a nice pool and other outdoor things (BBQ, bocce, bikes to borrow). The views are mostly good, but on the far right side is a barn. Under 100€.
http://www.agriturismobonellinovecchio.it/Agriturismo/agriturismo.html

A good website for the area around Pienza is www.portalepienza.it.
For Montalcino and Montepucliano areas, try www.prolocomontepulciano.it or www.prolocomontalcino.it

These websites give you contact to the actual properties if you click around (on portalepienza bring up the property, then location or contact and you usually get a website or e-mail).

I've also stayed at Il Giardino Segreto which is budget, but no views since it's in the middle of Pienza. I paid 45€ for an apartment (their smallest apt.)a couple of years ago. They have a nice garden area, but the apartment I stayed in had no comfortable seating (only kitchen chairs).
http://www.ilgiardinosegretopienza.it/

We want just a room, we would like a country atmosphere with a view. Don't care about air conditioning, pool or kitchen. Would like to keep it under 125 euros

Look at the Camprena B&B above---# 7 on the first half.
It is the real thing and only about 80E.

How remote are you willing to be? Somewhere like Camprena is a good distance from town and isolated (there were signs in the parking area about theft from cars). I wouldn't think all rooms would have views either unless on an upper floor so be sure to ask if you book.

Good question kybourbon, we do not want to be too isolated, also, staying in a old monk cell sounds weird, maybe I'm being too picky.

Having said that the pictures do look nice though but again, don't want to be isolated.

I'm about to book Agriturismo Nibbiano outside of Montepulciano. An apartment will run E100 per night and breakfast and dinner included is an additional 30 Euro. It looks gorgeous and has received rave reviews.

sbfrench1, you've got some great suggestions here. I'm bookmarking for future reference.

There are a lot of great tips here. We stayed in Relais Palazzo del Capitano in San Quirico d'Orcia 3 years ago and loved it. Very authentic feel; we seemed to be one of the very few tourists who stayed in town. After dinner it was fun to stroll the streets and see how the local people live.

Have a wonderful trip!

stmiami, when are you going? I looked at the pictures and it does look gorgeous. Would you mind emailing me with your experience and how the place was on your return, I would really appreciate it sbfrench1@yahoo.com

>>>I looked at the pictures and it does look gorgeous. <<<

I looked at the pictures and it doesn't seem to have what I think of as southern Tuscan views.

If you are willing to be closer to Siena you might try this one.
http://www.mulinodiquercegrossa.it/

That looks nice, there are no prices on line, do you know approximately how much a room for 2 is, also, is the area around Siena as nice as South Tuscany.

A lot of these I'm looking at require week stay, we're not spending over 4 nights in Tuscany. Guess I should have stated that in the beginning.