Where to stay in Pienza/Montechiello: La Saracina or L'Olmo?
Oct 23rd, 2004, 09:47 AM
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Where to stay in Pienza/Montechiello: La Saracina or L'Olmo?
And the planning continues...In my research I have read many positive things about La Saracina on this forum, but there is less mentioned about L'Olmo. The one comment on tripadvisor was very positive and the review in Karen Brown is great too. Has anyone stayed at O'Olmo or is familiar enough with it to comment on it?
Thanks,
Bill
Thanks,
Bill
Oct 23rd, 2004, 01:39 PM
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Bill, I have stopped there but not stayed. IMHO it is too isolated. I would much prefer the Saracina location and ambiance. Have you also seen www.lacosta.it Not as nice but in a really cute medieval village.
Oct 23rd, 2004, 04:34 PM
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Thanks Bob.
Yes, I have seen La Costa's website. It looks great. How are the accomodations? The restaurant is supposed to be very good. Is that true?
Have you heard of Relais San Bruno in Montepulciano?
One of the reasons both Saracina and L'Olmo appealed to me is that they both have pools. Is it going to be necessary to have a place with a pool in late June?
Thanks,
-Bill
Yes, I have seen La Costa's website. It looks great. How are the accomodations? The restaurant is supposed to be very good. Is that true?
Have you heard of Relais San Bruno in Montepulciano?
One of the reasons both Saracina and L'Olmo appealed to me is that they both have pools. Is it going to be necessary to have a place with a pool in late June?
Thanks,
-Bill
Nov 9th, 2004, 03:25 PM
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If it is not too late I would like to comment on L'Olmo. We have stayed there three times and love it. It has five two-room suites, an apartment, and one single room. Our room (suite #5) had a large comfortable living room, good sized modern bath, and a corner bedroom with four poster bed and views of Pienza in the distance. The staff is wonderful - you feel like you are staying with good friends. The courtyard is a great place to have a drink and the pool is wonderful. I don't think of it as too isolated. You are two minutes away from Montichiello - a charming walled village that contains a couple of excellent restaurants. It is less than a ten minute drive to Pienza. Also easy access to Montalcino and Montepulciano. It is nice to be able to day trips without the hassle of driving in and out of a hotel located in a town center.
Nov 10th, 2004, 06:35 AM
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Selinalei
They generally don't serve dinner at L 'Olmo. One year the owner cooked a tremendous three course dinner for any guests who were interested but she has not done so in recent years. I asked her why and she told me that most guests prefer to go out to dinner in Pienza or Montichiello rather than stay in. So if you stay there, you should plan on going out for dinner. There are many excellent restaurants within a few minutes drive that I could recommend if you are interested.
They generally don't serve dinner at L 'Olmo. One year the owner cooked a tremendous three course dinner for any guests who were interested but she has not done so in recent years. I asked her why and she told me that most guests prefer to go out to dinner in Pienza or Montichiello rather than stay in. So if you stay there, you should plan on going out for dinner. There are many excellent restaurants within a few minutes drive that I could recommend if you are interested.
Nov 10th, 2004, 01:22 PM
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BoulderCO, thanks for the clarification. I read somewhere that guests could even opt for half board. So, probably, it's not the case anymore.
It will be nice if you can recommend some restaurants that are not too far away.
It will be nice if you can recommend some restaurants that are not too far away.
Nov 10th, 2004, 02:25 PM
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BoulderCO, thanks to your recommendation, we had our best meal at Taverna di Moranda during our trip to Tuscany this past September. We splurged and each had 4 courses with a nice bottle of wine (I had the wine). Cost us $100.00 but well worth it. My wife still talks about it.
They're closed on Friday, if you can believe that.
Had a wonderful lunch at Latte di Luna. Make a reservation as they were turning people away.
They're closed on Friday, if you can believe that.
Had a wonderful lunch at Latte di Luna. Make a reservation as they were turning people away.
Nov 10th, 2004, 02:55 PM
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Budman
Glad to hear you enjoyed Taverna di Moranda. It is one of our favorites. Latte di Luna is the most popular restaurant in Pienza so reservations are a must. I believe they are closed on Tuesdays.
Glad to hear you enjoyed Taverna di Moranda. It is one of our favorites. Latte di Luna is the most popular restaurant in Pienza so reservations are a must. I believe they are closed on Tuesdays.
Nov 10th, 2004, 04:54 PM
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Just returned from a trip which included staying at La Costa in Montefollonico, near Montelpulciano. Lovely hotel, lovely small medieval town. Ate dinner twice in the hotel's dining room - excellent. And the owners are planning a pool and extended deck area for next summer.
Cheers,
Linda
Cheers,
Linda
Nov 10th, 2004, 05:07 PM
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Linda,
I noticed your earlier post about the hotels you stayed in on your trip and enjoyed your comments. I have some questions about Tenuta Quadrifoglio:
How far from S.G. is it?
Is there anything in the way of food that is within walking distance?
It seems like such a good deal and such a lovely place.
Thanks.
-Bill
I noticed your earlier post about the hotels you stayed in on your trip and enjoyed your comments. I have some questions about Tenuta Quadrifoglio:
How far from S.G. is it?
Is there anything in the way of food that is within walking distance?
It seems like such a good deal and such a lovely place.
Thanks.
-Bill
Nov 11th, 2004, 11:17 AM
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Bill, I strongly recommend Tenuta Quadrifoglio - gorgeous property, wonderful location, extremely friendly staff. It's about a 10 min. drive from San Gimignano and no, there aren't any restaurants within walking distance (we asked). The manageress, Mara, gave us a list of restaurants in the immediate area, who give 10% off if you mention the hotel by name. We were a little suspicious about what the quality of the food might be, but ended up having one of our best meals of the trip at the restaurant closest to the hotel. A bit too far to walk to, though. We were in the area a very short period of time but we agreed that we liked staying a few minutes outside of San Gi, rather than inside the city. I hope you enjoy it!
SusanP, the old portion of Montefollonico is a charming, small, walled town. Within the walls, where La Costa is, we saw a charming bistro (can't remember the name) and a nice-looking wine bar with casual-styled food, both easy to walk to. You are maybe a 10 or 15 min. drive from the larger city of Montelpulciano, where there are lots of bistros, restaurants, etc. Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Linda
SusanP, the old portion of Montefollonico is a charming, small, walled town. Within the walls, where La Costa is, we saw a charming bistro (can't remember the name) and a nice-looking wine bar with casual-styled food, both easy to walk to. You are maybe a 10 or 15 min. drive from the larger city of Montelpulciano, where there are lots of bistros, restaurants, etc. Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Linda
Nov 11th, 2004, 05:16 PM
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Thanks, BoulderCO.
Knowing that L'Olmo no longer serves dinner, I am also hesitating between it and La Saracina. Is there any place I can see more photos of La Saracina? And what differences are there between doubles and suites in La Saracina?
Knowing that L'Olmo no longer serves dinner, I am also hesitating between it and La Saracina. Is there any place I can see more photos of La Saracina? And what differences are there between doubles and suites in La Saracina?
Dec 6th, 2006, 06:48 PM
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Copied from a previous post: (Glad to hear you enjoyed Taverna di Moranda. It is one of our favorites.) Absolutely agree with this, the best restaurant in all of our meals in Tuscany. And most of the other meals were GREAT. This was the greatest.
