OUR PRIDE

“Steeped in history, this Tuscan gem exudes style and romance. Friendly, interesting owners look after you impeccably. Immersed in the hilly heart of the city, this narrow, elegant four-storey palazzo on Piazza San Giovanni sits right by the gothic Baptistery. Local owners passionate and knowledgeable about all things Sienese, have cunningly restored this building. Modern design rubs shoulders happily with centuries of intriguing history (a Pope, famous authors, artists and architects have all stayed). Venture deep below the building and piazza to a stone cellar, to find a medieval aqueduct – a secret path once used by Pope Alexander VII. Throw open the bedroom windows (Italian film star style) for jaw-dropping views out to San Domenico and a puzzle of terracotta rooftops. Interiors hum with ancient beams, original artwork and some good modern furniture; bathrooms are snazzy – choose from a freestanding claw foot tub set on 17th-century tiles or a rain shower with a delightful glimpse of the Basilica. A choice of breakfast menus will fuel you for your adventures; pick up a map from the welcoming reception area and step outside into the thick of it.”