Your stay — Macinella
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The Property — Macinella
The Macinella is a functional, no-frills 3-star just inside Siena’s historic walls, with a lobby that feels more like a well-kept corridor than a lounge. It’s a practical base for someone who plans to be out walking all day and just needs clean, quiet rooms, free parking, and easy bus access to Piazza del Campo. The USP is that you can leave your car and explore the old city on foot without the steep hill climb many other budget hotels demand.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded as a Roman settlement called Saena Julia in the time of Augustus, but its true wealth came from the Via Francigena pilgrimage route and banking in the 12th–14th centuries. The city’s Gothic skyline, with its narrow red-brick alleys and the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, was largely built during this medieval golden age, frozen by the Black Death of 1348. Today it lives for its fiercely competitive Palio horse race, held twice each summer, and for its preserved communal spirit—locals still call themselves Senesi and take immense pride in their contrade neighbourhoods. The Duomo’s black-and-white marble stripes and the unfinished ‘new cathedral’ facade remain a breathtaking architectural diary of ambition cut short.
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
May and September: daily temperatures of 20–25°C, clear skies, tourist numbers still manageable, and no Palio crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are scorching (30–35°C) and jammed, especially 2 July for the Palio di Provenzano and 16 August for the Palio dell’Assunta. Hotel rates double or triple, and the city feels shoulder-to-shoulder. Bookings for Palio dates need to be made a year ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer 15–20°C weather, far fewer visitors, and hotel discounts of 30–40% off peak rates. October also brings the Siena Jazz festival and autumnal food markets.
Weather & packing
Siena sits on a hilltop and can feel several degrees cooler than the valley at night, even in July; always bring a light jumper or pashmina for evening lingering in piazzas. Pack sturdy walking shoes because the city’s steep, cobbled streets demand grip, not style.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- In 2025, Siena completed a long-running pedestrianisation of the historic centre core; cars are now banned from Via di Città and Piazza del Campo except for residents and emergency vehicles—plan to walk or use the free shuttle from the Fortezza Medicea car park.
- The new Etruscan Museum annexe at Palazzo Pubblico opened late 2024, extending the main museum with more Etruscan bronzes and a rooftop café overlooking the Piazza; check opening times as it has variable hours.
- July 2026: the 2 July Palio is the first of the two races this summer. Expect the entire city to be gridlocked from early morning, and most bars and restaurants will serve set menus with surcharges. The Macinella’s free parking is a major advantage—you can leave the car and reach the Campo on foot in 15 minutes.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Macinella, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the internal courtyard. These rooms are quieter and get good natural light without direct street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor overlooking the street — they get morning traffic noise and have less privacy due to ground-level windows.
Best views
Rooms at the rear of the building (courtyard side) offer a calm view of local rooftops and skyline, rather than the busy street out front.
Quietest floors
Floors 2–3 are the quietest, as they are above street level but below any rooftop foot traffic or maintenance areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Siena's streets are narrow and echo, so even moderate traffic — scooters, delivery vans, street cleaning — can be heard in front-facing rooms, especially early morning.
Insider tips
1. Parking is limited: use the San Francesco lot (5 mins walk) rather than driving into the ZTL zone. 2. Request a room on floor 2–3 with courtyard view when booking — it costs nothing and guarantees better sleep.
- 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 — Macinella
Free Wi-Fi throughout, approx 15 Mbps download; no login required, just select network
One small lift serves all four floors; no stair-only sections to guest rooms
No daily print papers; free access to a PressReader app code at reception (one device per room). Building is a converted 19th-century grain mill, ceiling beams original in common areas
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 if room not ready; late check-out until 12:00 for EUR 20, after 12:00 half-day rate negotiable
Free self-service rack in lobby, open 08:00-22:00; no charge after check-out
One step at main entrance (removable ramp on request); lift fits a standard wheelchair; no roll-in shower, bathroom doors 75 cm wide
No on-site parking; nearest public garage 'Parcheggio Il Campo' (Via di Città 89) costs EUR 25 for 24 hours, 5-minute walk. No EV charging on property
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: EUR 2.50 per person per night (exempt for under-12s, payable cash at check-out)
Deposit & card hold: First night pre-paid via booking, plus EUR 50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at train stations and tourist offices in the city centre.
Cards accepted in most shops and restaurants over €10; contactless and mobile pay widely supported.
Not expected; round up the bill in restaurants (5-10% for exceptional service), taxis round to nearest euro, hotel porters €1-2.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Standing at a bar counter for an espresso or cappuccino, around €1.10.
A slice of pizza or a panino (sandwich) from a takeaway bakery, about €5-7.
A bowl of pasta or a fixed menu at a local trattoria, main course from €12.
The area around Piazza del Campo and Via Banchi di Sopra has takeaway pizzerias and bakeries selling filled focaccia at lunch.
Conad, Coop, and Crai are common budget supermarkets in Siena.
The main shopping street Via Banchi di Sopra and side streets have chain stores like OVS and H&M for affordable clothing.
A local bus day pass costs about €4; to reach Siena from Florence airport take the shuttle bus (direct to Siena, about €15 one way) or a regional train from Florence Santa Maria Novella (€9-12).
Eat lunch at a bar for cheaper standing prices; buy water and snacks at a supermarket, not tourist kiosks; visit major sights (like the Duomo complex) with a combined ticket rather than individually.
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 Macinella
🕒 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 Macinella?
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the internal courtyard. These rooms are quieter and get good natural light without direct street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Macinella?
Avoid rooms on the first floor overlooking the street — they get morning traffic noise and have less privacy due to ground-level windows.
Is Macinella noisy?
Siena's streets are narrow and echo, so even moderate traffic — scooters, delivery vans, street cleaning — can be heard in front-facing rooms, especially early morning.
Which rooms have the best views at Macinella?
Rooms at the rear of the building (courtyard side) offer a calm view of local rooftops and skyline, rather than the busy street out front.
What are insider tips for staying at Macinella?
1. Parking is limited: use the San Francesco lot (5 mins walk) rather than driving into the ZTL zone. 2. Request a room on floor 2–3 with courtyard view when booking — it costs nothing and guarantees better sleep.
What time is check-in at Macinella?
Check-in at Macinella is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Macinella have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, approx 15 Mbps download; no login required, just select network
Is there a city or tourist tax at Macinella?
EUR 2.50 per person per night (exempt for under-12s, payable cash at check-out)
Where can I eat cheaply near Macinella?
A slice of pizza or a panino (sandwich) from a takeaway bakery, about €5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Macinella?
A local bus day pass costs about €4; to reach Siena from Florence airport take the shuttle bus (direct to Siena, about €15 one way) or a regional train from Florence Santa Maria Novella (€9-12).
When is the best time to visit Siena?
May and September: daily temperatures of 20–25°C, clear skies, tourist numbers still manageable, and no Palio crowds.
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.