Your stay — Hotel Massarelli
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The Property — Hotel Massarelli
Hotel Massarelli is a straightforward three-star on a quiet residential street a 15-minute walk from Piazza del Campo. The lobby feels like a mid-century Italian sitting room: tiled floors, a few armchairs, friendly staff who don't try to oversell. It suits independent travellers who want a clean, affordable base in a converted townhouse, not a boutique spa. The rooftop terrace overlooking the terracotta roofs is the highlight, especially at sunset.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded by the Etruscans and flourished as a banking centre in the 13th and 14th centuries, rivaling Florence. Its medieval core, dominated by the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the Gothic Duomo, was shaped by the Contrade – the 17 historic neighbourhoods that still organise the Palio horse race twice each summer. The city's architecture is unusually intact because plague and subsequent economic decline froze development. Today Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage site, balancing tourism with a fiercely local culture rooted in Contrada loyalty and the Palio.
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm days (22-28°C), low rain, crowds manageable outside Palio dates. Spring wildflowers and autumn light are bonuses.
Peak / festival surge
July and August. The Palio on 2 July (and 16 August) draws huge crowds, tripling hotel rates. Even outside Palio days, August temperatures hit 35°C and the city is packed.
Budget shoulder season
late April and October: prices drop 30-40%, the Duomo and museums are quiet. Weather is mild (15-22°C) though rain is more likely.
Weather & packing
Siena sits on a hill and gets afternoon thunderstorms even in summer. Pack a light waterproof jacket and closed-toe walking shoes for cobbles and sudden showers.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- The historical centre has new limited-traffic zones (ZTL) enforced by cameras from 7am-8pm; cars booked without hotel-issued permits will be fined automatically. Check with Massarelli for your access code.
- The Duomo's Piccolomini Library is currently closed for restoration until late 2026 – you can still see the main cathedral but the fresco cycle is inaccessible.
- A new direct bus line, 1H, now runs from Siena train station to Porta Camollia every 15 minutes, replacing the old unreliable shuttle.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Massarelli, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request upper floors, fifth or sixth, facing away from the street for the quietest experience. These also get the best light over the rooftops.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground or first floor rooms, especially those at the back which can be dark and may be near the lift or service areas. Avoid rooms directly overlooking the street on floors two to four due to traffic and pedestrian noise.
Best views
Rooms on higher floors, facing the street, offer a classic Siena view of terracotta roofs and bell towers. Corner rooms at the front give a double-aspect panorama.
Quietest floors
Fifth and sixth floors are quietest, as they are above street-level bustle and furthest from the ground-floor lobby and bar.
🔊 Noise notes
Siena's narrow streets echo traffic and scooter noise. The hotel's street-side rooms pick up this racket, especially at rush hour and during the Palio clean-up. The lift is audible on floors four and below.
Insider tips
Park outside the ZTL (limited traffic zone) – the hotel can confirm your car's access times. Ask at check-in for a quiet room on the sixth floor; they often honour polite requests for high floors.
- 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 — Hotel Massarelli
Free Wi-Fi throughout; download speed roughly 25 Mbps; no login, just select network
Small lift serves all three floors (max 4 people); no stairs-only sections
No physical papers; free digital access to Il Corriere della Sera via hotel tablet at breakfast
Check-in 14:00–20:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out fees: €20 until 12:00, €40 until 14:00 (subject to availability)
Free luggage storage behind reception desk; no lockers
Step-free entry via ramp at side door; lift to all floors but narrow corridors; no adapted bathroom
No on-site parking; nearest public car park: Parcheggio Il Campo (via dei Gazzani) at €25/night, 500m walk; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €4 per person per night (up to 10 nights, free for under-14s)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chiesa di San Michele (330 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa Santa Maria della Stella (356 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Santuario di Sant'Antonio di Padova (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parco Fucoli — 435 m · ~5 min walk
Museo d'Arte di Chianciano Terme — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Giardino Louis Braille — 823 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Farmacia Moccia Dr. Francesco — 173 m · ~2 min walk
Autostazione — 724 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in bank branches or post offices; avoid currency exchange bureaux at the train station or tourist info points which charge high fees and poor rates.
Credit and debit cards widely accepted in restaurants, shops and hotels; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) very common; cash useful for small purchases or market stalls.
Restaurants: leaving small change or rounding up to the nearest euro is fine; taxis: round up to the nearest euro; hotel staff: not expected but a couple of euros for bags appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Standing at a bar counter for an espresso or cappuccino costs about €1.10-1.30; seated at a table adds a surcharge (often €2.50+).
Pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) or a panino from a local forno/bakery – around €5-7 with a drink.
A main course (pasta or meat) in a trattoria off the main tourist streets for about €12-15.
The area around Piazza del Campo and Via di Città has small stalls and bakeries selling schiacciata (stuffed flatbread), porchetta rolls and lampredotto (tripe sandwich) for €5-8.
Supermarkets Conad, Coop, and Dok (local chain) are common in the Contrada neighbourhoods just outside the historic centre.
The main shopping streets Banchi di Sopra and Via di Città have mid-range Italian brands; for cheap basics, head to OVS or UPIM department stores near the bus station.
The cheapest way around Siena’s compact centre is walking. For the airport (Florence or Pisa), take the Tiemme bus from Piazza Gramsci to Florence airport (about €8 one-way) or to Pisa (about €15 one-way).
Buy a Siena Card (€15-25) if you plan to visit multiple churches/museums – includes discounts on some sights. Eat at places away from the Campo main square, where menus are often 30% cheaper. Fill a water bottle at Siena’s public fountains (free, safe tap water).
Good to know — Siena
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · 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 Hotel Massarelli
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Moccia Dr. Francesco — 173 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 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 Hotel Massarelli?
Request upper floors, fifth or sixth, facing away from the street for the quietest experience. These also get the best light over the rooftops.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Massarelli?
Avoid ground or first floor rooms, especially those at the back which can be dark and may be near the lift or service areas. Avoid rooms directly overlooking the street on floors two to four due to traffic and pedestrian noise.
Is Hotel Massarelli noisy?
Siena's narrow streets echo traffic and scooter noise. The hotel's street-side rooms pick up this racket, especially at rush hour and during the Palio clean-up. The lift is audible on floors four and below.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Massarelli?
Rooms on higher floors, facing the street, offer a classic Siena view of terracotta roofs and bell towers. Corner rooms at the front give a double-aspect panorama.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Massarelli?
Park outside the ZTL (limited traffic zone) – the hotel can confirm your car's access times. Ask at check-in for a quiet room on the sixth floor; they often honour polite requests for high floors.
What time is check-in at Hotel Massarelli?
Check-in at Hotel Massarelli is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Massarelli have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; download speed roughly 25 Mbps; no login, just select network
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Massarelli?
€4 per person per night (up to 10 nights, free for under-14s)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Massarelli?
Pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) or a panino from a local forno/bakery – around €5-7 with a drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Massarelli?
The cheapest way around Siena’s compact centre is walking. For the airport (Florence or Pisa), take the Tiemme bus from Piazza Gramsci to Florence airport (about €8 one-way) or to Pisa (about €15 one-way).
When is the best time to visit Siena?
May, June and September: warm days (22-28°C), low rain, crowds manageable outside Palio dates. Spring wildflowers and autumn light are bonuses.
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.