Photo: official website
Your stay — Borgo La Novella
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The Property — Borgo La Novella
Borgo La Novella is a converted 18th-century farmhouse four miles north of Siena, run by a family who still make olive oil on site. The lobby smells of beeswax and dried herbs, with terracotta floors and a stone fireplace that stays unlit in July. It suits independent travellers who want countryside quiet and a pool (open June–September) rather than the usual city-centre bustle. You give up immediate walking access to Piazza del Campo for genuine Tuscan farmyard views and free on-site parking.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded as a Roman settlement called Saena Julia under Emperor Augustus, but its golden age was the 12th–14th centuries, when it rivalled Florence as a banking and artistic centre. The city's Gothic architecture dominates—the black-and-white striped Duomo, the Palazzo Pubblico, and the fan-shaped Piazza del Campo, which still hosts the twice-yearly Palio horse race. After the Black Death halved its population in 1348, Siena never regained its medieval power, but its historic centre remains a UNESCO World Heritage site, frozen in that trecento grandeur. Today it's a university town and regional agricultural hub, famous for Chianti wine, panforte cake, and a fierce local identity that still divides the city into 17 contrade (neighbourhood wards).
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
Late May, June, and September offer 22–28°C days, low humidity, and long daylight. Major tourist crowds thin after the August crush, and the valley vineyards are green or harvest-ready.
Peak / festival surge
July and August see daily 30°C+ heat and peak visitor numbers, especially around the Palio horse race on 2 July and 16 August. Hotel prices in Siena double; Borgo La Novella's rates typically rise 40–60% above shoulder-season levels. The Palio brings 50,000+ spectators into Piazza del Campo, and street parking restrictions tighten.
Budget shoulder season
April, early May, and October offer 15–22°C, lower room rates, and far fewer day-trippers from Florence. The Chianti hills are still green, and you can book the hotel's pool in near-privacy.
Weather & packing
Siena's July afternoons are reliably hot and dry (average 33°C), but mornings can be 17°C. Pack a light sweater for the hotel's stone-walled breakfast room, and a sun hat for the pool deck—there's no shade until 4pm.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- From June 2025, Siena's ZTL (limited traffic zone) enforcement hours extended to 24/7 in summer; non-resident drivers entering without a hotel-issued permit face €80 fines—Borgo La Novella provides one on check-in.
- A new wine bar, Enoteca del Palio, opened in April 2025 on Via di Città, offering 40+ Chianti Classicos by the glass and a small courtyard.
- The 2026 Palio on 2 July (just two days before your arrival) will close the city centre to non-resident vehicles and public parking near Piazza del Campo from 1 July evening; plan to arrive after 3pm on the 4th.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Borgo La Novella, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor facing the internal courtyard. This avoids street-level noise and gives you the quietest sleep, though probably no view.
Rooms to avoid
Do not accept a room on the ground floor facing the street — Siena's narrow medieval lanes amplify foot traffic and scooter noise, especially near Piazza del Campo. Also avoid rooms directly above the breakfast area or lobby if open-plan.
Best views
No guaranteed views without a paid upgrade or specific request. Ask for a 'courtyard view' when booking — this hotel's setting in a restored noble residence means some rooms overlook a small inner garden, which is quiet and pleasant.
Quietest floors
First floor (European first, i.e., one flight up) is best. Second floor also okay but check if lift reaches — if no lift, skip upper floors with luggage.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Viale or adjacent alleys possible, but Siena's centre is generally car-limited. Breakfast clatter and staff shifts from 7am are main indoor noise sources.
Insider tips
Book directly with the hotel and request a first-floor courtyard room. Parking is scarce and expensive in Siena — the hotel often has a limited number of reserved spots; ask at booking. If you arrive by train, bus 8 from Siena station stops near the hotel, saving a taxi.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Borgo La Novella
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed about 20 Mbps down, no login but password given at check-in
No lift; all rooms are on ground floor or first floor with stairs only
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; the building is a 19th-century villa with original terracotta floors and vaulted ceilings
Standard check-in 15:00–20:00; early bag-drop available from 12:00; late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged at €30 if available
Free luggage storage behind reception, no lockers
No step-free access; main entrance has a small flight of steps and no ramp; wheelchair access very limited
Free on-site parking for about 15 cars, first-come-first-served; nearest public car park is Parcheggio Stazione at €2.50/hour or €15/day, 500m down the hill; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €3.50 per person per night, payable at check-in, for guests aged 12 and over
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates may require a €100 incidental hold on a credit card at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in the city centre for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux near Piazza del Campo and train station as they charge high commissions.
Visa/Mastercard widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops; contactless is common. Cash still needed for small markets and some cafés.
No obligation; round up the bill in restaurants or leave a euro or two. Taxis and hotel staff don't expect tips unless for exceptional service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a bar counter for around €1.20–€1.50.
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a forno, around €5–€8.
A pasta or pizza main in a trattoria for about €12–€15.
Look for bakeries and rosticcerie near Via Banchi di Sopra for inexpensive takeaway slices and roast meats.
Conad and Carrefour Express are common; Coop is a bit larger and slightly cheaper.
Main high street along Via Banchi di Sopra has Zara, H&M and local chain stores; markets (like Wednesday at Fortezza) for basics.
Walking is best; city buses (Tiemme) single ticket €1.70 from tabacchi. From Florence airport, shuttle bus to Siena is about €16 one way.
Eat your main meal at lunch for coperto-free prices. Fill a water bottle at public fountains (free). Buy a Siena Card if you plan to enter multiple museums.
Good to know — Siena
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Siena, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Borgo La Novella
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Florence Airport (FLR) → Comfort Siena Design Apartment
💡 Book a fixed-price transfer with Welcome Pickups or a local company like TaxiSiena to avoid surge pricing. Drivers often know the ZTL zones, so they'll drop you directly at the apartment's location on Via di Fontanella.
Florence Airport (FLR) → Comfort Siena Design Apartment (Siena Station)
💡 Take the T2 tram from FLR to Florence Santa Maria Novella station, then a direct regional train to Siena (95 min, €9.20). From Siena station, it's a steep 15-min downhill walk or a €5 taxi to the apartment. Avoid the Trenitalia Intercity trains—they're not faster.
Florence Airport (FLR) → Comfort Siena Design Apartment (Siena Bus Station)
💡 Flixbus and Tiemme run direct coaches from FLR to Siena's bus station (Piazza Gramsci). They drop you at the top of town—from there it's a 10-min flat walk to the apartment. Sit on the left for views of the towers on the way in.
Siena Train Station → Comfort Siena Design Apartment
💡 Only use official white taxis with the 'TAXI' sign. From the station, it's a short ride but worth it due to the uphill climb with luggage. Call 0577 49221 for a radio taxi if none are in the queue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Borgo La Novella?
Request a room on the first floor facing the internal courtyard. This avoids street-level noise and gives you the quietest sleep, though probably no view.
Which rooms should I avoid at Borgo La Novella?
Do not accept a room on the ground floor facing the street — Siena's narrow medieval lanes amplify foot traffic and scooter noise, especially near Piazza del Campo. Also avoid rooms directly above the breakfast area or lobby if open-plan.
Is Borgo La Novella noisy?
Street noise from Viale or adjacent alleys possible, but Siena's centre is generally car-limited. Breakfast clatter and staff shifts from 7am are main indoor noise sources.
Which rooms have the best views at Borgo La Novella?
No guaranteed views without a paid upgrade or specific request. Ask for a 'courtyard view' when booking — this hotel's setting in a restored noble residence means some rooms overlook a small inner garden, which is quiet and pleasant.
What are insider tips for staying at Borgo La Novella?
Book directly with the hotel and request a first-floor courtyard room. Parking is scarce and expensive in Siena — the hotel often has a limited number of reserved spots; ask at booking. If you arrive by train, bus 8 from Siena station stops near the hotel, saving a taxi.
What time is check-in at Borgo La Novella?
Check-in at Borgo La Novella is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Borgo La Novella have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed about 20 Mbps down, no login but password given at check-in
Is there a city or tourist tax at Borgo La Novella?
€3.50 per person per night, payable at check-in, for guests aged 12 and over
Where can I eat cheaply near Borgo La Novella?
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a forno, around €5–€8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Borgo La Novella?
Walking is best; city buses (Tiemme) single ticket €1.70 from tabacchi. From Florence airport, shuttle bus to Siena is about €16 one way.
When is the best time to visit Siena?
Late May, June, and September offer 22–28°C days, low humidity, and long daylight. Major tourist crowds thin after the August crush, and the valley vineyards are green or harvest-ready.
Top Attractions in Siena
💡 Check for free guided tours on Saturday mornings. The reliquary containing her head is eerie but fascinating.
💡 Bring a picnic. It's less busy than the main parks. Paths can be steep — wear flat shoes.
💡 Go at sunset for the best light on the Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia. Early morning it's almost empty.
💡 Entry is €12 but the 'Porta del Cielo' rooftop tour costs extra. Go on a Sunday for free Mass entry — you still see the interior.
💡 Free on the first Sunday of each month. Otherwise €9. The underground 'sacred tunnels' are the highlight, not the modern art wing.