La Saracina, Villa Poggiano, Il Chiostro di Pienza or Locanda dell Amorosa
Jul 11th, 2007, 09:59 AM
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La Saracina, Villa Poggiano, Il Chiostro di Pienza or Locanda dell Amorosa
Ok.. need some help from those who have stayed in any of these places. Looking for a quiet place with a view, to relax, hopefully from the room or with a private terrace. These all seem to have nice grounds, which i like. I like the first two since they are small, just 6 and 9 rooms. I've read the reviews, but hoped for more feedback.
La Saracina- looks lovely, but i can't tell if the rooms have views or what the villa looks like. The site has lovely pics, but seem a little 'staged'.... the reviews are good though.
Villa Poggiano- Any one know which rooms have the best views... it sound like it's the more expensive suites in the "guest house"
Il Chiostro di Pienze- (25rms)I kind of like that this place is supposed to have beautiful views and it's also in Pienza, so you can walk to town at night. Also the rates are MUCH less... though it looks just as nice...thinking i might be disappointed. Is it of the same 'caliber' as the others??
Locanda dell Amorosa- a bit larger as well(25rms)and pricier, but looks to be the nicest. does anyone know if the standard rooms have a view?
One more question... I'm thinking we'd spend three nights in one of these places, (more to the south) and three nights up near florence maybe?, in the same type of place.. but haven't found any up there that are as nice as these. Anyone have recommendations to great similar type small villa hotels up near Florence area??
thanks so very much!
dee
La Saracina- looks lovely, but i can't tell if the rooms have views or what the villa looks like. The site has lovely pics, but seem a little 'staged'.... the reviews are good though.
Villa Poggiano- Any one know which rooms have the best views... it sound like it's the more expensive suites in the "guest house"
Il Chiostro di Pienze- (25rms)I kind of like that this place is supposed to have beautiful views and it's also in Pienza, so you can walk to town at night. Also the rates are MUCH less... though it looks just as nice...thinking i might be disappointed. Is it of the same 'caliber' as the others??
Locanda dell Amorosa- a bit larger as well(25rms)and pricier, but looks to be the nicest. does anyone know if the standard rooms have a view?
One more question... I'm thinking we'd spend three nights in one of these places, (more to the south) and three nights up near florence maybe?, in the same type of place.. but haven't found any up there that are as nice as these. Anyone have recommendations to great similar type small villa hotels up near Florence area??
thanks so very much!
dee
Jul 11th, 2007, 10:20 AM
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I can't comment on how Il Chiostro di Pienza compares to the others you mention, having never been to the others, but I was surprised how nice it was.
I think it's the only one of the four that's in a town. Keep in mind the historic section of Pienza is very small, felt more like a village to me.
I think it's the only one of the four that's in a town. Keep in mind the historic section of Pienza is very small, felt more like a village to me.
Jul 11th, 2007, 10:33 AM
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Thanks,LA.. good to know Il Chiostro was nice, as it's the least expensive! Though the other places look wonderful, after doing alot of driving during the day it would be nice to walk into town at night for dinner or even for an afternoon... or is there really not much to do there as it's small?
Jul 11th, 2007, 10:49 AM
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There are lots of neat little shops and restaurants just doors away, dosu. And a fabulous view of the Val d'Orca. It's busy during the day but quite peaceful in the evening. We really liked it and it's a central location for touring Montepulciano, Montalcino, Sant’ Antimo Abbey, etc.
The one disadvantage is parking - there are no cars allowed in the town center. The hotel will park for you for a charge, or you can park yourself a few blocks away. We had no trouble finding a place in the morning or evening but during the day there are lots of day trippers. Don't imagine parking is a problem at the more rural places you're interested in.
I like the concept of a lovely, quiet place off by itself in the countryside in theory, but in practice I need a little more distraction around me. You may be different!
The one disadvantage is parking - there are no cars allowed in the town center. The hotel will park for you for a charge, or you can park yourself a few blocks away. We had no trouble finding a place in the morning or evening but during the day there are lots of day trippers. Don't imagine parking is a problem at the more rural places you're interested in.
I like the concept of a lovely, quiet place off by itself in the countryside in theory, but in practice I need a little more distraction around me. You may be different!
Jul 11th, 2007, 11:02 AM
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Hi Dosu
We haven't stayed at any of the hotels but have been to all three - we have eaten at Il Chiostro di Pienza and the food was excellent. The view IMO is one of the best in the world - totally bias I'm afriad because I'm in love with the Val D'Orcia.
In terms of location Penzia, in the evening once the crowds have gone, is magical.
I would go for Il Chiostro di Pienza.
We haven't stayed at any of the hotels but have been to all three - we have eaten at Il Chiostro di Pienza and the food was excellent. The view IMO is one of the best in the world - totally bias I'm afriad because I'm in love with the Val D'Orcia.
In terms of location Penzia, in the evening once the crowds have gone, is magical.
I would go for Il Chiostro di Pienza.
Jul 11th, 2007, 11:06 AM
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I agree, the remote places might be lovely, but impractical having to drive to go somewhere every night, after driving all day.
Are there any rooms at chiostro that have views from the rooms? terraces? or is it just from the hotel grounds?
Hmm... parking, DH won't be happy.
Are there any rooms at chiostro that have views from the rooms? terraces? or is it just from the hotel grounds?
Hmm... parking, DH won't be happy.
Jul 11th, 2007, 11:22 AM
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I don't think they have individual rooms with terraces or balconies but you can ask. There are plenty of public areas and terraces with views of the countryside. It used to be a convent, there are inner rooms and outer rooms, if you decide to stay there ask for a room with a view of Val d'Orcia.
Jul 11th, 2007, 11:35 AM
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I had lunch twice at Il Chiostro di Pienza. Lovely outdoor setting. It is right in the heart of Pienza. Keep in mind that Pienza is very small. You can walk from one end to the other in ten minutes, and that's probably walking slowly. Here are some photos I took in Pienza, including our lunch table at Il Chiostro di Pienza.
http://www.travelswithdiane.homestea...17Tuscany.html
http://www.travelswithdiane.homestea...17Tuscany.html
Jul 11th, 2007, 04:55 PM
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Locanda dell Amorosa is a lovely place to stay, especially relaxing by the pool in the afternoon after a long day of sightseeing. The grounds are very nice, but I do not remember great views. We had one of their more expensive suites, but it did not come with a patio. The only patio I saw was one next to the pool. I did not see any balconies either. They have an excellent restaurant, but it is very gourmet and I would have been very hard pressed to eat there every night. They have a very nice Bistro that serves breakfast and lunch and on nice days it is wonderful to eat in the garden.
Jul 11th, 2007, 07:16 PM
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Agree with PMB re: Locanda dell'Amorosa. You may want to check out La Collegiata. Although it's address is San Gimignano, it's outside of the city walls and it is set away by itself with pleasant grounds.
http://www.lacollegiata.it/pages/english/index.htm
http://www.lacollegiata.it/pages/english/index.htm
Jul 11th, 2007, 07:25 PM
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Hello dosu!
We have stayed at La Saracina and Locanda dell Amorosa. We prefer to stay out of the towns - more in the countryside - but within easy drive to the various towns. Parking is easier as well. I can't speak, then, to Villa Poggiano or Il Chiostro di Pienze but can answer your questions about La Saracina & Locanda dell Amorosa. Both are lovely, beautiful, well-appointed relais to which I would return tomorrow. We have, actually, stayed at La Saracina on two vacations. We stayed at each 5 nights. Locanda is a larger place, all the way around. We had a "superior" room - it was glorious. The grounds were immaculate. We enjoyed walking amongst the vineyards (we were there in September), sitting outside reading before dinner. They brought us drinks & a cheese sampler as we sat outside soaking up the views of their chapel & flower decked vista. They had an herb garden. Each evening before dinner the chefs from the restaurant would run over to pick fresh herbs for whatever they were preparing that evening. Service was superb as they helped each day with reservations & driving directions. I loved our stay there. That said, the location (right outside of Sinalunga) was not as convenient as the location of La Saracina.
Here's the scoop on La Saracina - it is my favorite place to stay in the world! While it has fewer rooms, it makes up for in the personalized service Simonetta, the charming owner, provides. The rooms are romantic, beautifully decorated, and when you step out of your room (or even leave the door & windows open), the views are unbelievable. Our room overlooked green rolling hills,sheep grazing, with Montepulciano in the distance. Each afternoon, we would enjoy wine poolside, with Pienza in the distance. Simonetta showed us every room as we were the only guests that week. Each room was more beautiful than the last. We have stayed in 2 of her rooms. The decor was similar to that of Locanda dell Amorosa. We could drive to Pienza, Montichiello, or Montepulciano in about 10 minutes.
Have I helped at all? I hope so...happy planning!
We have stayed at La Saracina and Locanda dell Amorosa. We prefer to stay out of the towns - more in the countryside - but within easy drive to the various towns. Parking is easier as well. I can't speak, then, to Villa Poggiano or Il Chiostro di Pienze but can answer your questions about La Saracina & Locanda dell Amorosa. Both are lovely, beautiful, well-appointed relais to which I would return tomorrow. We have, actually, stayed at La Saracina on two vacations. We stayed at each 5 nights. Locanda is a larger place, all the way around. We had a "superior" room - it was glorious. The grounds were immaculate. We enjoyed walking amongst the vineyards (we were there in September), sitting outside reading before dinner. They brought us drinks & a cheese sampler as we sat outside soaking up the views of their chapel & flower decked vista. They had an herb garden. Each evening before dinner the chefs from the restaurant would run over to pick fresh herbs for whatever they were preparing that evening. Service was superb as they helped each day with reservations & driving directions. I loved our stay there. That said, the location (right outside of Sinalunga) was not as convenient as the location of La Saracina.
Here's the scoop on La Saracina - it is my favorite place to stay in the world! While it has fewer rooms, it makes up for in the personalized service Simonetta, the charming owner, provides. The rooms are romantic, beautifully decorated, and when you step out of your room (or even leave the door & windows open), the views are unbelievable. Our room overlooked green rolling hills,sheep grazing, with Montepulciano in the distance. Each afternoon, we would enjoy wine poolside, with Pienza in the distance. Simonetta showed us every room as we were the only guests that week. Each room was more beautiful than the last. We have stayed in 2 of her rooms. The decor was similar to that of Locanda dell Amorosa. We could drive to Pienza, Montichiello, or Montepulciano in about 10 minutes.
Have I helped at all? I hope so...happy planning!
Jul 11th, 2007, 08:21 PM
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You have all helped tremendously! Thanks so much.
LA, probably a good idea to just ask if the Chiostro rooms themselves offer views.
luvtotravel, great pics. Makes me feel better about Il Chiostro..
PMB/Lori,I looked at Amorosa's site again.. it is beautiful, but you're right, it doesn't seem to have the beautiful rolling hill views that the others have. Might take it off the list.Thanks for the Collegiata link, it looks very nice.. i will check TA for reviews.
DFMom...VERY helpful.... I'm leaning toward La Saracina as it is smaller. Do they have pretty grounds to walk? This will be the beginning of November... Might be a bit cool? Which rooms did you stay in? which do you recommend? The Canaiolo is the least expensive at 230Eur. Would you remember the view? Looks lovely.
You've all been a great help... thanks
Need a place up in Northern Tuscany too... All this planning takes so much time!!
dee
LA, probably a good idea to just ask if the Chiostro rooms themselves offer views.
luvtotravel, great pics. Makes me feel better about Il Chiostro..
PMB/Lori,I looked at Amorosa's site again.. it is beautiful, but you're right, it doesn't seem to have the beautiful rolling hill views that the others have. Might take it off the list.Thanks for the Collegiata link, it looks very nice.. i will check TA for reviews.
DFMom...VERY helpful.... I'm leaning toward La Saracina as it is smaller. Do they have pretty grounds to walk? This will be the beginning of November... Might be a bit cool? Which rooms did you stay in? which do you recommend? The Canaiolo is the least expensive at 230Eur. Would you remember the view? Looks lovely.
You've all been a great help... thanks
Need a place up in Northern Tuscany too... All this planning takes so much time!!
dee
Jul 11th, 2007, 09:13 PM
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Hi Dosu:
We stayed at La Saracina, in the Prugnolo Suite, in October of 2004 and have not stopped talking about it since. I agree with dorkforcemom that La Saracina is a lovely place. There are very nice grounds to stroll, swimming pool, tennis court, several hammocks, and a farm house dog--or two-
-to keep one company while strolling. Of course, swimming pool may be a non-issue in November and it may be quite cool altogether by then. The breakfast room and breakfast are divine.
We are returning to Tuscany this (early)October but, unfortunately, the rooms which we would have liked to stay in at La Saracina (Malvasia, Trebbiano or Prugnolo) are not available. So, we reserved a lovely suite at Villa Poggiano and I will let you all know how it compares with the beloved La Saracina upon our return.
BTW, there was no view from the Prugnolo Suite and I do not believe that there is a view from the rest of the bedrooms either. There is a lovely view from the breakfast room though.
Anna
We stayed at La Saracina, in the Prugnolo Suite, in October of 2004 and have not stopped talking about it since. I agree with dorkforcemom that La Saracina is a lovely place. There are very nice grounds to stroll, swimming pool, tennis court, several hammocks, and a farm house dog--or two-
-to keep one company while strolling. Of course, swimming pool may be a non-issue in November and it may be quite cool altogether by then. The breakfast room and breakfast are divine.
We are returning to Tuscany this (early)October but, unfortunately, the rooms which we would have liked to stay in at La Saracina (Malvasia, Trebbiano or Prugnolo) are not available. So, we reserved a lovely suite at Villa Poggiano and I will let you all know how it compares with the beloved La Saracina upon our return.
BTW, there was no view from the Prugnolo Suite and I do not believe that there is a view from the rest of the bedrooms either. There is a lovely view from the breakfast room though.
Anna
Jul 11th, 2007, 09:32 PM
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Thanks Anna, la Saracina sounds perfect. Please let me know how Villa Poggiano is when you return. Do you know which suite you have reserved there? So many great places, we will just have to keep going back..
Jul 11th, 2007, 10:00 PM
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Hi Dosu:
By the time I made up my mind about Villa Poggiano, the more reasonably priced rooms were sold out and we reserved the Standard Suite for four (4) nights. However, if you reserve for a minimum of four (4) nights, you get an upgrade and so we were upgraded to a Superior Suite. I have no idea where it is situated, whether in the main villa or in one of the guesthouses and, frankly, I do not care. I just want to get there!
BTW, there are wonderful reviews on TripAdvisor re Villa Poggiano with a new review just posted a few days ago.
Anna
By the time I made up my mind about Villa Poggiano, the more reasonably priced rooms were sold out and we reserved the Standard Suite for four (4) nights. However, if you reserve for a minimum of four (4) nights, you get an upgrade and so we were upgraded to a Superior Suite. I have no idea where it is situated, whether in the main villa or in one of the guesthouses and, frankly, I do not care. I just want to get there!
BTW, there are wonderful reviews on TripAdvisor re Villa Poggiano with a new review just posted a few days ago.
Anna
Jul 12th, 2007, 06:17 AM
#16
I stayed at Il Chiostro in May 2005 and had a glorious view of the valley. I would get up early each morning, throw open the shutters and watch the sun come up and dissolve the fog that had settled in the valley overnight. Heavenly.
Jul 12th, 2007, 06:32 AM
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Not to confuse the issue but we just returned from Tuscany and stayed at Locanda di San Francesco in Montepulciano. The view from our room (number 1) could not have been more beautiful. The town is lovely and fun to stroll in the evenings and the view from the deck of the hotel's wine bar is gorgeous at sunset.
Jul 12th, 2007, 07:30 AM
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We stayed in Canaiolo and Saragiolo at La Saracina. Saragiolo was actually a small apartment. We didn't utilize the kitchen facilities so I wouldn't necessarily stay there again (we love to eat out!). Each of the rooms has a refrigerator so cold goodies can be kept. I imagine the pool will be covered for the winter when you're there - perhaps I'm wrong. Each room opens to the beautiful outdoors. The two we stayed in are next door to each other. The gorgeous breakfast room (with glass windows all around) is also on the same side - opening towards Montepulciano. There are plenty of scenic places to sit outside (to sip Brunello, perhaps?). The other rooms are on the opposite side facing Pienza. Simonetta's apartment is upstairs. She gave us a tour of her living quarters. The breakfast is delicious and relaxing (more so than Locanda dell Amorosa because there are fewer people to serve). Each day we were pleasantly surprised with different linens & place settings - just adding to the ambience. Over breakfast, we told Simonetta what we were in the mood for with regard to dinner and she'd place the call then for reservations. We also mapped out our day with her advice then as well. Again, hope I'm helping.
Jul 12th, 2007, 01:18 PM
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thanks Anna, have a great trip.
Amyb, Il Chiostro seems to have those great views, it's hard to choose!
Rbnwdln..I had seen Locanda San Francisco as well..very nice, but I've GOT to start narrowing down my list!
DFMom.. love your beautiful descriptions... I had sent off an email to Simonetta.. she said since the rooms are all on the ground floor, you need to go outside for the views, but there is a private sitting area outside the room which sounds perfect, so it's number 1 on my list. Bit pricier than Il Chiostro, but I like that it is small. Will be our final stay before heading back to Rome for two nights, so will be our 'splurge' place!thx again.
Any ideas for same types of small places up in northern Tuscany would be much appreciated!
thx
dee
Amyb, Il Chiostro seems to have those great views, it's hard to choose!
Rbnwdln..I had seen Locanda San Francisco as well..very nice, but I've GOT to start narrowing down my list!
DFMom.. love your beautiful descriptions... I had sent off an email to Simonetta.. she said since the rooms are all on the ground floor, you need to go outside for the views, but there is a private sitting area outside the room which sounds perfect, so it's number 1 on my list. Bit pricier than Il Chiostro, but I like that it is small. Will be our final stay before heading back to Rome for two nights, so will be our 'splurge' place!thx again.
Any ideas for same types of small places up in northern Tuscany would be much appreciated!
thx
dee
