Lynnczimm

In Montalcino---- I have run across a hotel called Palazzo Cesira, but they require payment by check or wire to an contact/address in Rhode Island.
Does anyone have experience with this hotel. It looks very nice. Is that safe to do?
Or suggest other places to stay in Montalcino. We are trying to decide between San Quirico- Palazzo del Capitano, which looks wonderful, or Montalcino. Montalcino looks a bit livelier, with our 23 year old daughter along for this trip. We will be doing many day trips.
Please help!

bobthenavigator

Yes, I know the place and it is a very good value. The owner, Roberto, is American but has lived there for years.
There is more to do in Montalcino---I have stayed in both, but there are also more tourists. San Quirico is much smaller and is my favorite small village in Tuscany. Both ways you win.

kybourbon

There have been quite a few reviews of Palazzo Cesira on this board over the years. They don't show up easily in the search function. Here's a few.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-and-brodo.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...in-chianti.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...bb-decison.cfm

Neither Montalcino or San Quirico are going to be lively unless there is a festival.

For places in Montalcino, you can look at their tourism website.
http://www.prolocomontalcino.it/index.php?lang=en

What time of year is your trip?

Lynnczimm

More help deciding between hotels in Montalcino or San Quirico-!!-

Thank you bobthenavigator and kybourbon for your response.
We will be there about May 20 through May 25.
We will have a car and be touring the hill towns. San Quirico sounds lovely!
My big question is in the evening for dinner and driving back to San Quirico at night.
I am looking at die Capitani and Palazzo Cesira in Montalcino and die Capitano in San Quirico.
With our daughter with us we would like to have a bit of choice with places just walk to also...

bobthenavigator

Also look at Casa Lemmi in SQ---less $$$ and still nice.

Th evening Passagiatta in SQ is a cutural event that I love. You really experience the ambiance of small town Tuscany. There are 2 good places to eat in town--plus the hotel.

Montalcino is 3 times the size and much more active. Your call !