Where to stay in Siena? Outside or within the city walls?
 

Still trying to get a hotel nailed down for our honeymoon in Siena. We'd like to be near the main sites since we won't have a car and would like to walk. We are looking at the Albergo Bernini, Palazzo Bruchi, and Hotel Santa Caterina. Any tips on these or other recommendations for a good "centrally" located hotel? Thanks!

No recommendations for any of those three or others -- and the very centrally located locanda we stayed at likely wouldn't be your cup of cappucino -- but what I can tell you is that we <i>loved</i> staying within the city walls.

why is that? Was your hotel less than favorable, and if so, what to stay away from? Thank you!

Why is what? Why I think you wouldn't like the locanda we stayed in? I guess because the three places you mentioned <i>seemed</i> to be more &quot;upscale&quot; (relatively speaking.) We thought our locanda was charming (especially with the owner's artistic touch), but it's a budget place, probably not to the liking of the typical tourist and, especially, honeymooners.

We stayed at the Santa Caterina last May. The room itself was simple. The bathroom completely new and very clean. Make sure if you stay there to email ahead of time and request a room overlooking the hills (not the street - kind of loud). The views in the back were very nice. The hotel is like a B&amp;B type of feel. Very italian and charming. The garden room for breakfast was very quaint and the outdoor garden area was great to relax at the end of a long day of site seeing. Bring home a bottle of wine to enjoy in the garden...bring a book and relax a bit. We are pretty active and in our 30's so we parked our car at the hotel and just walked in/out of town. We had no problem. I would stay there again. I hope this helps. Good luck!

I thought the Santa Caterina was wonderful. And it's just outside the Porto Romano so a short walk to the Campo. I agree completely with the suggestion to get a room looking out over the hillside. And I loved having breakfast in the garden, overlooking Tuscany. The staff was wonderful too.

If you do stay at Santa Caterina, my favorite restaurant in all the world is Fuori Porto, about 100 meters down the road from the hotel. Just turn yourselves over to Paolo and let him present you with an unforgettable dinner.

Personally I think if you are going all the way to Siena and on what will hopefully be your ONLY honeymoon I would spend as much as I could and on the BEST place there and if that is inside the walls then do so..you'll never regret it.