This was so highlighy recommended, so I'm terribly disppointed they didn't have rooms available. Any other suggestions for a 2 night stay or should I just give up and go to another town like Orvieto or Spoleto and try to find a wonderful hotel there? Suggestions please...we're there in May.

Thanks!

Hi Justburg,

Another poster already suggested La Bastiglia on your US Forum post. I would recommend it so you can still stay in Spello.

Don't feel bad. When I reserved Palazzo Bocci, I was booking 9 months out and still had to juggle the Umbria part of my trip in order to stay there - it was worth it.

Buon viaggio!

I'm just concerned because La Bastiglia doesn't get good reviews...and I don't want to spend my time thinking what could have been Do you think Montepulciano is too far away from Rome for a 3 night trip. There are more hotels available there.

Palazzo Bocci is a nice hotel, but it's not the end of the world that you weren't able to get a room there! When we stayed last year, we originally were only able to get one night there, instead of two, as we had originally planned. They later had a cancellation, so we were able to spend two days there.

Our other choice was Villa Pambuffetti, in Montefalco. We drove past it on our vacation, and it is a little further from "downtown" Montefalco than I would have liked, but the website looks good and it gets good reviews. You could see if they have rooms. Two other hotels we considered, both in or near Bevagna, were Hotel Palazzo Brunamonti and Orto Angeli.

Rather than stay all the way in Montepulciano, consider hotels in Montefalco, Bevagna or Spoleto. Montefalco and Bevagna are very close to Spello.

Hi again Just,

If it doesn't get good reviews and you are not comfortable, then don't book it. There are so many wonderful places to stay!

The Montepulciano area is great for exploring southern Tuscany. I stayed in Montalcino and did day trips from there. Worked very well. My hotel was the Il Giglio, a 3* and nice, but not as nice as Palazzo Bocci.

Or, do a search here for "Montefalco" and "Bevegna". Others have reported being very happy with their lodging in these two Umbrian towns. I would also recommend Todi or Orvieto. I liked Assisi too, very beautiful town, wonderful art in the churches.

It all depends on what towns you want to visit.....

So sorry you couldn't get the Palazzi Bocci. Like I said, when I checked out the rooms at La Bastiglia, they seemed fine, and the food was wonderful, but not having personally stayed there, I can't comment on the reviews.

Here is a link to the initaly page for Umbria. http://www.initaly.com/agri/accom/umbria.htm

We have booked through initaly, but usually use their ability to spot good hotels and then book indendently with the hotels. Our experience with every hotel we have either booked through initaly or found on their website has been very very positive.

Montepuliciano is not too far away from Rome for a three day trip, although Montepulciano is not the only place in this part of Tuscany you can stay. Check out this post for some good suggestions (also for Orvieto):
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34935402

Not sure if you have considered an apartment or will have a car, but we stayed in an absolutely delightful apartment near Bevagna called Le Case Gialle. It comes highly recommended on these boards, and with good reason. The views are incredible and we were within driving distance of tons of great towns. Spello was only 20 minutes or so away, and from Case Gialle we also visited Bevagna, Montefalco, Assisi, Trevi, Todi, Deruta, Orvieto, etc. Their website is http://www.lecasegialle.it/index_ing.htm. They quote prices for a week on their website, but I just e-mailed to inquire about a 5 night stay and they gave me a rate of 80 euro per night; quite reasonable given the quality of the accommodations and the incredible view we had from our balcony (we stayed in La Terrazza).

Good luck with whatever you decide!
Tracy

I have stayed at Le Case Gialle several times and although its a bit remote its a great place to stay. Mauro and Silvana are the salt of the earth.

However, while I have not stayed at La Bastiglia I have eaten there twice. A friend is a partner in a venture with the owner of La Bastiglia and swears that its a first class property. The hotel is at the top of Spello with great views and plenty of parking.

Another fine place is Albergo Rosati, a few km south of Orvieto. The proprietor holds forth at dinner until the grappa is gone. They may have a dozen rooms and a good kitchen.

Just a note - hunting for Albergo Rosati will find you a different place, in Tuscany. The one outside Orvieto is LOCANDA Rosati online.
www.locandarosati.orvieto.tr.it/

We just stayed a week at a wonderful new inn, GENIUS LOCI COUNTRY INN in a gorgeous location near Bevagna.

www.geniuslociumbria.com

It was great in every way and an ideal location for visiting the neat hilltowns and countryside. close to everything. We drove in minutes to Bevagna, Assisi, Montefalco, Spello, Spoleto, Trevi and did lots of wine tasting. They have their own vineyard and own wines, a GREAT pool with unbelievable views. We found it to be good value and liked the owner-manager, Michael.

Isn't this interesting!?!

"morris" has posted seven times in the past hour about Genius Loci...

Have never been to Genius Loci, but judging from the website, it's a handsome place with reasonable rates.
Anyone else know it?