Griffy

Hello!
anyone recently stayed at this hotel? I have currently booked us at the Palazza Ravizza but this hotel has a pool and being there in july I think that would be wonderful for us to have the option to sit by it. It says its about a 20-25min walk into town and just want to make sure thats true as we would want to be able to go there for dinner.
Any help is appreciated!

Holly_uncasdewar

I haven't timed that walk, as I've never stayed outside the walls. But if I recall correctly, it's a busy road heading uphill to the center, with no sidewalks. I remember thinking when I passed it, that I would never stay that far from the centro area. I can see the attraction of a pool in July, but my advice would be to stay inside the walls, and find a fountain to jump into if necessary.

Jean

Tripadvisor.com reviews mention the 20-minute walk to the center, and maps.google.com calculates it to be closer to 30 minutes (2.5 km.). If you search the walk on google and switch to 'street view,' you'll see it's generally uphill into the center and the first part from the hotel is pretty uninteresting (as is the area immediately around the hotel). You might investigate whether there is a bus between the hotel's vicinity and the center.

If your reason for staying in Siena is primarily to use it as a base for exploring the area by car, the location of Hotel Garden would be convenient for ingress/egress. But if the point is to be 'in' Siena, you should stay at the Palazzo Ravizza.

Griffy

Thanks! yah i looked it up on google and and read all the reviews on trip advisor. I would think we would just spend one day in siena and then we would be exploring the area the other days. hmm so torn.

Jean

Unless the pool is a big deal for you, I'd stick with the Palazzo Ravizza. Ingress/egress is just a couple of turns to/from the (generally) north-south road you'd likely be using to explore the area, and the hotel is a short walk to the Campo and lots of dinner options. How many nights are you staying there and where will you be exploring?

Griffy

I dont know why i feel like the pool is such a big deal? Probably b/c it will be so hot. We will be in that area from Monday until thursday. We will have been in florence the week before and will train to pisa on the sunday(to see it and get a rental car). Monday morning we will head towards siena(stopping at castello verazzano for a wine tour) and maybe san gimignano. Tuesday I figured we would just walk around siena for the day. Wednesday would like to hit the montalcino and montepulciano areas. Thursday we will get up and drive to Sorrento. So much to see and not enough time!

Griffy

so as I read my reply I even ask myself "when will you be laying by a pool". Esp since we will spend the next six days in positano relaxing at the beach/pool.

Jean

I think you've answered your question. You have a very full agenda. FWIW, I would rather have more time to see Siena than sit poolside or swim.

But are you really picking up the car on Sunday, driving back to Florence and then driving out of Florence on Monday? Where is your Florence hotel in relation to the limited/restricted traffic zone?
C

Griffy

No, we will spend the night in Pisa and rent the car Monday morning and drive to Siena from Pisa. Still need to rent the car.

Jean

Good. Have a great trip!

You didn't ask, but I can recommend Ristorante Mugolone on Via dei Pelligrini (two blocks from the Campo) in Siena. Family owned and operated. Great food and service. FWIW, we didn't like any of the restaurants recommended by Palazzo Ravizza.

Griffy

Thanks so much Jean, you have been a great help!