Any opinions on what would make a better base for touring in March to see the small towns in the area-Cortona, Siena, Pienza, Montepulciano and Montalcino? I've whittled down the choices to:
Palazzo del Capitano-in San Quirico d'orcia
La Costa- in just north of Montepulciano
Locanda La Bandita- in Sinalunga (possibly the most reasonable)

Great food, pleasant clean rooms and convenient location (we will have a car)are important. Would 3 nights be the right time before moving to stay up north (near San Gim) to see Florence and area?

You're only about 60-65 miles from Florence in any of the 3 locations, and even closer to San G and Siena. I make that comment only to wonder why you would want to move only that short a distance to another hotel. Might you not think of some hotel halfway, where you could stay for the entire time and then do your touring in both directions? If you were to do that, you'd be something like 30 miles or so from all your northern and southern destinations. Just a thought.

You have great choices now.You may want to add www.sanantonio.it

Message:Wayne
I guess I'm trying to avoid spending too much time in the car. I also thought it might be nice to try 2 different places (each for 3 nights) to get the feeling for both. If I decided to stay in one central location, would you choose around Siena (eg Frances Lodge)?

Bob the Navigator: Eeek! I'm trying to reduce my confusion! Besides where the heck is Padua?

Doesn't seem necessary at all to change hotels for the distances you would have to cover.
Maybe, if you are on a half board basis, you might consider to get the taste of another restaurant.... but what if the first one was better than the second one!!!
In general, I try to stay as long as possible in the same place, providing the quality is up to my expectations.

What is half board?

Half board is half pension, which means you have breakfast and one main meal, normally the evening meal, included. According to the style and quality of the hotel/restaurant, this can easily be a 4 course meal. Which can be very good if the food is very good, and disappointing if you don't like their kitchen...
This only gives you the opportunity to eat "out" and try all the goodies in the restaurants of the towns you visit at noon. Which leads inevitably to 2 full meals if you are a food addict (after all, it's only for a week and the food is sooooo good!). I often say to myself, no, at noon only a sandwich, but it never works out that way...
I only checked the La Costa site, and I think they serve great food...
A difficult choice!