Hi,
My husband and I and our little 18 months old will be traveling to Siena in the middle of November. We looked into Piccolo Hotel Oliveta and Hotel Santa Caterina. Both are available. We'll have a car. We're staying 3 nights so we can go on day trips. We'd like a nice clean place with enough room for the little one to play should the weather be bad. We'll also like a place that's not so noisy at night. Which one is better? Thanks.

We stayed at the Santa Caterina 1 1/2 years ago and liked it. If you do stay there, ask for a room with a view of the hills - away from the road. It was right outside the town walls - easy walking distance in my opinion, but we don't mind walking as we are active people. The hotel offered parking too - I think you may need to make resvations in advance for parking. The breakfast was nice. Bathrooms are newer and very clean. Rooms are not glamorous but neat. It has a B&B feel. I would go there again.

We stayed at the Santa Caterina this past May and loved it. As the previous poster noted, it does have the feel of a B&B, and it also has a beautiful garden where weather permitting your little one can play outside. Interior "play area" may be limited though. We did have a room facing the garden with a high, frescoed ceiling; bathroom was newer and modern. Just 1/2 mile outside Porta Romana - very convenient and quiet. Hope this helps with your decision.

Ciao Nancy,

My wife and I just returned from 3 weeks in Italy. We stayed in Siena for 4 nights at the Pensione Palazzo Ravizza. This was by far our favorite hotel we stayed at. First they have an outstanding and friendly staff. The hotel is large with lot of room to roam if it's raining. Also, there is a large garden area to rear with nice views of the valley below. We had a garden view room that was very clean and had great views of the valley. The breakfest is a FEAST, and very good. LOTS OF FOOD TO CHOOSE FROM. Palazzo Ravizza is located inside the walls of Siena with private parking free. Very easy to drive to the hotel and back out of the city. From the hotel your only a 10 minute walk to the Piazza del Campo. We paid 140.00 euro a night with breakfest included. They have an outstanding restaurant inside the hotel.
I can tell you a little about the Piccolo Hotel Oliveta. We stayed there a year and a half ago. Great staff, very helpful and friendly. It's an old farm house with clean rooms and good breakfest. It does have an area to walk outside, but very little room inside if it rains. We found the Palazzo Ravizza to be alot nice and alot less money per night, plus free internet use. I think your little one would have plenty of room inside this hotel if the weather is bad. If you do a search for this hotel you will find that most travelers give it very high scores. I would rate it 5 out of 5 for our vist, and will return on our next visit to Siena. Hope this helps, Louie.

Hi,
I emailed Palazzo Ravizza and didn't get a response. I've since received an offer for discount from Piccolo Hotel Oliveta. Piccolo Hotel Oliveta will charge 100 Euros and Hotel Santa Caterina will charge 125 Euros a night. Is Hotel Santa Caterina worth the extra 25 Euros? Hotel Santa Caterina comfirmed that it's a room facing the hills. Piccolo Hotel Oliveta stated that it's a "large and quite double room." As you can see, I'm having a hard time deciding. Help. Thanks.

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Nancy, with a car I would pick PHO. They have more parking--we had to walk 2 blocks and park when we stayed at SC in 2001.

Definately Palazzo Ravizza. For one thing, their parking is free, which makes the cost almost the same as the hotels outside the city walls. For another they a very convenient and central. Siera is all hills and you don't want to stay far from the campo unless you want to wear yourself out walking.

Stayed at Hotel Santa Caterina in Sept. Same as the others-it feels like a B&B and the ones that work there were so nice, friendly,spoke good English and were helpful. We had room # 19, the only one with a balcony facing the most beautiful view! A little store is up the street also for cheese,crackers, wine etc. Nice walk into the main area. Enjoy