Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Hotel Alba-- Convent in Siena

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Hotel Alba-- Convent in Siena

Has anyone stayed here? Need opinions please. It's the convent right in Siena. Thanks, Cricket

Do you mean Alma Domus? That is the convent right in central Siena. I did stay there 2 years ago in April and had a lovely experience; would stay there again. Rooms very basic, yet clean; bathroomn down the hall. I felt the bathroom was all mine as I never saw anyone else in there. Very inexpensive; I think about $35 for a single. Be sure to ask for a room with balcony. The entire back wall is all window, with a magnificent view of the Duomo, stunning when lit in the evening. They do have a curfew, which was quite reasonable. 11:30 pm? Be sure to call ahead if you're going in the spring/summer; they can get pretty full.

Thanks. I think I stayed at a Hotel Alba somewhere and got that stuck in my brain! I thought it would be an interesting thing to do. We have a 2 year old, so the 11:30pm curfew is no problem at all. We're going to try and head over there for a couple nights in a few weeks. It will be sometime in late February or sometime in March, so it might be as empty as it was for you in April. I'll ask for a balcony too. Nice escape from the little one while she's sleeping. It drives us crazy when we travel and we have to sit in silence in the room while she's trying to get to sleep. Sounds perfect! Cricket

Hi Cricket. I want to clarify; the convent was actually quite full and booked with guests in April. According to 'Lodging in Italy's Monasteries', which I just got from the library, it indicates that doubles and triples have private bath, which explains why my in the hall bathroom was all mine! Here's contact info if you decide to go that way: Tel 0577/44177; Fax 0577/47601. Definitely request a balcony! It's a bit small, yet the view is stunning! Have a great trip.

Hey Cricket, If you want to get more info on Siena or just hook up with another expat mom, drop me an email at [email protected] Cristina

Of course as you know with Carnivale going on, the kids are having a blast running around in costumes so if you have one for your little one, bring it along and don't forget to eat stop off at the stand in Piazza del Campo to get some wonderful frittelle.

Fraterna Domus > Via Monte Brianzo, 62 > 00186 Roma > > tel. 06 68 80 2727 > fax. 06 68 32 691 > e-mail: [email protected] I thought you might like this convent alternative in Rome, too. I believe you posted about a cheap hotel in Rome recently. We stayed here in December. It cost us $78 per night including bath ensuite and breakfast. There were several families with toddlers staying there. It is in a great location- 3 minutes from Piazza Navona and 8 minute walk from the Pantheon. The nuns really seemed to enjoy having small children stay there; they made a big fuss over them.

My wife and I stayed at the Alma Domus last June for 4 nights. The location is outstanding, our room had a spectacular balcony view of the Duomo. Private toilet was the largest of all the convents we stayed in in Italy. No breakfast served. Good parking (if you have a car) at the soccer Stadio about a block away. Free if you enter after 8 PM. Couple of the staff spoke some English, but all were very helpful. I had two significant complaints though, and both center around noise: We had two of the squeekiest beds I have ever slept on. I am a restless sleeper and kept my wife awake tossing and turning. The other complaint was that unlike the other convents we stayed in, the Alma Domus was pretty noisy late at night. The interior halls echoed noise from one end of the convent to the other, and people returning late at night seemed to spend the next 15 minutes recapping the days activities by talking outside their doors, then the next 15 by repeatedly opening and slamming the doors. We had to leave the convent at 4:30 to return to Rome for a flight and I can tell you that by that time I didn't care if we made a little noise. I think if I have been able to sleep a little better the noise might not have effected me quite so much. There is a great little tratoria a short distance away called Hosteria le Chiaccerre (the Chatterbox). Ask at the Alma Domus they can direct you. Get there early or make reservations. Great Tuscan peasant food!!

Sorry you had an unpleasant experience at Alma Domus, Jim. I'm a very light sleeper and ws thrilled it was so quiet there. As with any lodging, it relly depends on who's staying there and when.

We just got back Friday night from the hotel (we stayed Wed. and Thurs.) nights and it was great. The view and price (70 Euro for a triple)made the somewhat uncomfortable twin beds (uncomfortable for my tall, broad shouldered husband) worth it. We had a spectacular view of the Duomo from our balcony. Walls were a little thin, but I'm a heavy sleeper, especially after walking all day long. If we go back to Siena, I'll definitly try to stay there again!

I'm wondering if any unmarried couples have stayed here or at another convent. Is there any problem with sharing a room or do you need to get separate rooms?

HI!!!

We would LOVE to stay in a convent in Siena, and we called the Alma Domus convent at 057744177 and the person who picked up the phone did not speak English. Please help!! How can we reserve a room for one night????

I would call them back. I can't remember the name of the guy who speaks English, but he's there almost every day. If someone answers in Italian, say "Parla inglese?"- "Do you speak English?". They'll go get him if he's there. If not, send them a fax in English and he'll take care of it when he works next. Just ask for a reply via fax, email or phone. I would try getting ahold of him a few more times anyway.

And another thing, we did stay there in March and we had a nice time. We had a triple room (only one left with a view), and the view was amazing. I think we payed around Euro 70 each night. Definitly ask for a view. We had a little balcony... it was perfect.

I think every room has one, two or three single beds. No double beds that I know of.