I would appreciate any suggestions on an affordable hotel (within the 100 - 200 EUR range in Sept.) in or near Siena. I am using Siena as a base for 3 days and 2 nights and taking a couple of day or 1/2-day driving excursions. The excursions include a 1/2 day trip to San Gimignano (other 1/2 day exploring Siena), a whole day in Chianti, and a whole day exploring Southern Tuscany.

I will have a car, so parking at the hotel is an issue--it is my understanding that no traffic is allowed in Siena. Also, we would like to be close enough to Siena that we can walk there to explore the city and eat.

We stayed at Palazzo Ravizza and liked it, though our room wasn't the best. Parking is very convenient. There's a Ravizza parking lot behind the hotel.

Is Ravizza in the actual city or outside of it? If outside, is it within walking distance or a short bus ride? Do you remember the cost? Thanks

We stayed at the Hotel Minerva which had a garage right next door. The hotel was plain, clean and relatively inexpensive. It was under a 10 minute walk into the center of town.

The Palazzo Ravizza is inside the city walls - we really enjoyed staying there. I hear good things also about the Hotel Santa Caterina which is a short distance outside of the walls.

Greene: Yes, Santa Caterina mentioned in post above is excellent...an 18th century villa, just outside the south gate (Porta Romano)..easy ten minute walk into town..level walk....the hotel has a beautiful patio area in the back with stunning views of the Tuscan valleys below..excellent breakfast buffet. Parking is in the back also, tight squeezes, however.

Stu T. (we have sent many friends and relaitives to the Santa Caterina..we loved it).

http://www.hscsiena.it/

Two great choices--look no further.

stayed at Palazzo Ravizza in 2003 and had a great room and a great time. highly recommended.

Thanks for all the help.

I am going to contact Hotel Santa Caterina. Is it best to contact them directly or to go through a service such as Venerre?

You might want to do some research on the Hotel Garden...not right down town, but a lovely place with parking right outside the door. We stayed there and there IS a bus to the city center.
Also the Jolly Hotel is right inside the walls and good location for walking the city. I believe there is parking....but it is central where all the busses gather (not as bad as it sounds) and over the back is a view of the Tuscan hills.

Greene:


contact the Santa Caterina directly through their web pages...or phone them.
stu T.