San Gimignano where to stay?

While I have not stayed at either hotel, I did see both properties when I was there 4 months ago. The Hotel Leon Bianco seemed more central, in the middle of San Gimignano, than the other L'Antico Pozzo. That is good if you found their prices more reasonable too!

We stayed at Leon Bianco and had a limited view. It was nice enough there, and they were so good about parking our car in the garage and getting it out (by juggling all the cars each morning). But we decided if we had to do it over again we would have pushed for La Cisterna -- right across the piazza. We ate there and knew the views from the rooms were magnificent. I couldn't get them to answer my emails when booking, though.

I am looking for San G accomodations and contacted some of the properties listed on this forum.
I have sort of given up, since there are really 4-5 properties in the town itself (inside the walls) - and naturally they are more expensive than what you can find similar hotels in other Tuscan towns including Sienna.
I am reconsidering overnighting in San G and look for accomodation in say Volterra or Lucca, which are an hour or so away from San G (I have a car). I figured that most people come to San G as a day trip anyway

We stayed at La Cisterna and the views out the back are wonderful. My parents had a view of the piazza, which they didn't enjoy as much because of the noise. We would stay there again and would definitely get rooms on the back overlooking the rolling hillside.

Juliebudd, I stayed at L'Antico Pozzo 2 years ago, and stopped in to look around this past November. L'Antico Pozzo is a delightful small hotel, and my room was spacious and attractive. The view, however, is of a small street - not one of the central squares, if that is important to you. San Giminao is such a small town you won't care that L'Antico Pozzo is not at the absolute center. Two of my friends who travel to Italy more frequently than I do call L'Antico Pozzo their favorite hotel. I haven't stayed at Leon Bianco, so no basis for a comparison. Enjoy!

A friend and I visited San Gimignano for the first time last fall. We stayed at Tenuta Quadrifoglio, a gorgeous property with two pools, lovely gardens, children's small playground, vineyards and a beautiful valley view. An easy ten minute drive outside of San Gi, and E70 for a large twin bed room with a bathroom do die for. We had one of the best meals of our trip a scant two minute drive down the road.

Cheers,
Linda

La Cisterna is my favorite hotel of any I've stayed in. Ask for a room with a balcony and a view of the valley.

No, a day trip is not the same as staying in S.G. The best time is the early evening after most of the tourists have gone.

We usually stay there for two or three days and then a day or two in the countryside in an agriturismo with a vineyard. These make a great base for sight seeing in Tuscany.

pg, you've found the exact reason it is "worth it" to stay right in San Gimignano. Most people DO come there as a day trip and the place is overrun during the day. Use it as a base and leave during the day, and you have the place to yourselves at night when all those day trippers leave. San Gimignano is at its best from about 5 PM until midnight, and again early in the morning.

Tries2PakLite, I apologize for all that noise outside your parents room at La Cisterna. That was the guys moving all the cars out of the little garage at Leon Bianco to get ours out.

An additional voice... we stayed outside of the city but would drive in at about 3 pm, tour a bit, eat and drink a bit, walk about some more, and leave about 10'ish.

Thanks for all the help! I emailed La Cisterna and they have a double with a view (no balcony) for 102E. Guess I will book that if nothing more is added.

julie -- the room probably has large windows that open to the view. I think that is what we had -- and it was nice.

Patrick -- I will pass your apologies along to my Mom and St. David.

My husband, son and I stayed at Antico Pozzo in 2000 and loved it. It is on the main street that runs from one end of town to the other. While it does not have a view of the main piazza, it is just a 2 minute walk to the piazza. The rooms were very nice.

You will enjoy staying at La Cisterna. If you can get a room with a balcony and a view of the valley, that is our preferred first choice, but the other rooms are nice, too. We have also stayed in a room there that looks out onto the piazza and one with a window instead of a balcony.

The dining room has a very spectacular view of the valley, too. You can tell this is one of my favorite views in the world- a lovely combination of nature and landscaping.

La Cisterna was the setting for a fairly recent World War Two movie- I can't remember the name of it right now.

My current wife, then my girlfriend, and I stayed at a charming apartment in San Gimingnano in June 2002. It's perfect for two people, is inside the city walls, right off the main street (tourists never seem to venture off the main drag so it's like you're in "Old Italy") and best of all, it was only 60 euro a night!!! Here's the Web site:

http://www.aladinas.it/

Click on "apartment." The only things you sacrifice are a view -- there is none from the apartment (actually there is a view, but of a side street) but there are gorgeous views everywhere you walk -- and hotel service. San Gimignano is tiny so anywhere inside the old city walls should be considered central. I also agree with Sally, Patrick et al -- base yourself in San G and take day trips to Volterra and other points in the countryside (we rented a scooter for a day) during the day, when the main drag of San G is overrun with busloads of day-trippers. Then come back in the evening and you'll practically have the whole place to yourself.

My wife and I stayed at La Cisterna a year ago for three nights. We had a room in the back with great views and the food in the dining room was excellent.

Sally,
It is "Tea With Mussolini". Great movie loosely based on fact - credits explain at the end. Great town and Great hotel, La Cisterna!
Brahmama