We will be arriving in late afternoon in Chiusi and spending the night there. Should we pick up our rental car that day or the next morning and if that is the case are there hotels and restaurants within walking distance to Chiusi train station?
thank you

Chiusi has a lower town and an upper town. There are hotels in both. The train station is in the lower town. The upper town is FAR more attractive, with better shops, restaurants, etc. I would choose a hotel in the upper town and either take a taxi from the train station to the hotel and then come back to retrieve the car the next day, or just eat the extra day rental fee and pick up the car and drive to the upper town for the night. Walking between the two parts of town isn't really feasible - it involves a fair distance and an enormous hill.

I agree with StCirg- stay in the upper town and taxi to and from hotel from the train station and to your car rental.

I have stayed at this hotel in the upper town and highly recommend it-

http://www.albergolasfinge.it/ita/albergo.htm

MY WARNING: Do not eat at La Solita Zuppa in Chiusi. It looks very appealing from the outside, but in my 25+ trips to Italy it has been my worst meal and eating experience.

The "best" hotel in Chiusi Scalo is the 3-star Hotel Centrale:

P.zza Dante 3 Stazione

Tel. (+39) 057820118/222043
FAX (+39) 0578222043

The rental dealership might even come pick you up at your hotel. I believe that is something I read recently about Chiusi. We just returned a car to Europcar in Chiusi and it was a distance from town in a Ford dealership in Po Bandino.

My experience is the same as bfrac. The Europcar dealer (through Autoeurope) used to be within walking distance of the train station. It has been moved and now requires a taxi ride. It is not within walking distance...

This may factor into your decision on when to rent the car.

Thanks all....we will probably pick up the car the next day.
Renting with Hertz.....is that the same rental place?

No - what address did they give you for the Hertz location?

Just turned in a Hertz car to the Chiusi station location on October 29th, 2009. (picked car up on arrival in Milan.) Hertz is VERY close to the train station. Walking out of the station, turn right and walk one-half block. It's on the other side of the street, very convenient.