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Steeped in history and retaining many details of traditional local character, this charming 3-star hotel at the heart of the medieval hilltop town of San Quirico d’Orcia, set in the picturesque Orcia Valley, has recently been extensively refurbished to guarantee its guests all modern comforts.
 The reception area and bedrooms are furnished with elegant antiques, featuring dark wood, glass-fronted cabinets and upholstered seating, as well as fine Persian rugs on the terracotta-tiled floors.
In contrast, the spacious ground-floor breakfast room, housed in the former stables, has an informal, rustic feel, with its typically Tuscan ochre-washed walls, sweeping brick arches and terracotta-tiled, wood-beamed ceiling. At one end an ancient stone chimney piece surrounds the open log fireplace, while at the other the bar and its cosy corner seating area invite you to linger at leisure.
In summer, breakfast can also be taken outdoors on the intimate terrace or in the delightful hotel gardens, all located on an upper level to the rear of the building and encircled by a jumble of medieval tiled rooftops, which ensure utmost tranquillity and privacy.
In addition, the hotel boasts a fine Wine Bar cellar, with ancient stone walls and vaulted brick ceiling, where the most celebrated Tuscan wines may be sampled; together with its own restaurant, “Il Vecchio Forno”, only a stone’s throw away from the main house. Here a large selection of traditional Tuscan culinary specialities are served, including homemade pasta dishes.
Entry to the hotel lobby is through large glass doors at pavement level from a very quiet side-street at the top of the town. Featuring elegant modern ceiling and wall lights, as well as flower vases and plantpots, the reception area offers tantalizing glimpses into the underground wine cellar through two circles of window-glass let into the floor. A variety of local products, such as ceramics, toiletries, confectionery and liqueurs are on sale at reception, with a wider range of souvenirs on offer in the hotel’s boutique, situated just opposite the main entrance.
Leading off the lobby is the breakfast room and a flight of fairly steep polished travertine stone stairs, from whose upper landing you can step out into the garden. Located on this first-floor level are some of the bedrooms,  with others on the middle and top floors, accessible by further stairways and light-filled linking corridors. Please note that as the architecture of the structure dates back to the 15th century, it cannot accommodate a lift.
ACCOMMODATION: The hotel currently comprises 11 double bedrooms, all with modern ensuite bathroom (with shower and/or bathtub), but an extra 8 double bedrooms are soon to become available. Each bedroom is named after a different sign of the Zodiac.
All have airconditioning, Sat. TV, a safe and a hairdrier.
There are 4 categories of bedroom:
- some have typically Tuscan wrought-iron bedsteads with a curtained canopy surround; an original stonework fireplace and chimney piece; antique furnishings; colour-washed, frescoed walls and sloping, terracotta-tiled, wood-beamed ceilings;
 - some have an internal mezzanine floor accessed by wooden steps;
- some have marble-topped bathroom units and travertine stone tilework.
THE GARDEN AND SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT: The enclosed garden area at first-floor level behind the hotel, with its extensive lawns, shady olive trees and long avenue of pergola covered in twisting vines, provides an ideal haven for sunbathing, reading, enjoying a drink or simply relaxing in peaceful natural surroundings. Rosemary and lavender bushes and an ancient, covered-in well complete the scene, where ample tables, chairs and sunbeds are also on hand.
This romantic setting lends itself perfectly to wedding ceremonies or receptions, especially as San Quirico’s beautiful Romanesque parish church is situated just round the corner!
Although the hotel has no swimming pool on site,  the use of a nearby open-air pool (300 metres away) is included in the price of your room.
HISTORY: The stone and brickwork building dates back to 1400 and is one of the oldest in the historic centre of San Quirico. The medieval fortification walls and impressive stone gateways of this meticulously kept hilltop town are still largely intact.
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FACILITIES AVAILABLE NEAR BY: Covered garage parking is available near the hotel (at extra cost); cookery courses are also on offer, accompanied by an English interpreter; riding stables are located in the vicinity; massage treatments can be booked in advance; the thermal spa baths of Bagno Vignone are within easy driving distance, as are a whole host of the most important Tuscan places of historical, artistic and scenic interest: such as Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Siena.
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