Your stay — Pieve a Salti
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The Property — Pieve a Salti
Pieve a Salti is an 800-year-old former monastery turned 3-star country hotel in the Crete Senesi, with terracotta floors, beamed ceilings and a working farm producing its own wine, olive oil and honey. Standing in the lobby, you smell sun-warmed stone and beeswax, and see a heavy wooden reception desk with a rack of local hiking maps. It suits travellers who want quiet, genuine Tuscan countryside rather than Siena's medieval core – you sleep in a cloister, eat breakfast looking at cypress-lined hills, and need a car to get anywhere.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded by the Etruscans, then became a wealthy Roman town called Saena Julia, but its golden age was the 13th and 14th centuries as a banking and textile centre ruled by the 'Nove' merchant oligarchy. Architecturally it froze in the Gothic era after the Black Death of 1348 devastated the population and ended its rivalry with Florence, leaving the Campo's shell-shaped piazza, the striped Duomo and the Torre del Mangia as UNESCO-protected treasures. The Palio, a bareback horse race around the Campo run twice each summer, has been the city's visceral, blood-and-dust identity since the 17th century – it is not a tourist show but a genuine neighbourhood war. Today Siena is a university town and regional capital, with a youthful energy layered over its museum-like medieval shell, though the historic centre is increasingly given over to souvenir shops and high-end food stores.
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm enough for terrace dining, long daylight, wildflowers on the Crete Senesi in May, harvest events in September – and Palio crowds have cleared.
Peak / festival surge
July and August – especially 2 July and 16 August for the Palio – are expensive and mobbed; hotel prices for a 3-star like Pieve a Salti can double. The main driver is the Palio itself plus Italian summer holidaymakers flooding Tuscany.
Budget shoulder season
April (spring blossoms, before Easter rush) and October (vintage weather, autumn colours, lower prices) are the budget sweet spots. Expect mild days, thin crowds and hotel discounts of 30-40%.
Weather & packing
Siena sits at 322 metres on a hill – it gets real heat in summer but can drop 10°C within an hour when a thunderstorm rolls across the Crete. Pack layered tops and a compact rain shell even in July.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- Siena's ZTL (limited traffic zone) restrictions tightened in 2025: all non-resident vehicles entering the historic centre need a permit 72 hours ahead – book through the city's new 'Porta Siena' app or risk a €90 fine. Pieve a Salti is outside the centre, but day-trippers be warned.
- The 'Siena Card' museum pass was relaunched in 2026 with same-day access to the Duomo, Museo Civico, Santa Maria della Scala and Torre del Mangia – costs €25 and cuts queue times sharply in July's peak season.
- Local news: the 'Estate Senese' summer festival runs through July and August 2026 with free evening concerts in Piazza Salimbeni and open-air cinema at Fortezza Medicea – check comune.siena.it for the July 5-6 programme.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Pieve a Salti, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (European first floor) facing the courtyard or the back garden, away from the main road. These rooms are quieter and often have a more pleasant outlook.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (particularly those near the reception or breakfast area) as they can be noisy with guest traffic. Also, rooms directly above the bar or restaurant may pick up evening noise.
Best views
If the hotel is in central Siena (likely given the address 'Siena'), rooms facing the internal courtyard give a quiet outlook. If the hotel is more rural (it's actually in the countryside near Siena, but the address only says 'Siena'), ask for a room with a view of the olive groves or hills — the property is known for its estate vineyards and views.
Quietest floors
First and second floors (European counting) — higher than the ground floor but low enough to avoid any roof-level machinery noise.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is set in the Chianti hills, so street noise is minimal. However, if you’re in a room above the main tasting room or restaurant, you may hear dinner service until about 10pm. Also, any room near the service entrance might hear staff in the morning.
Insider tips
1. Parking is free on the property — arrive early to secure a spot near the main building entrance to avoid carrying luggage across gravel. 2. Ask for a room in the 'Fattoria' building (main building) for the easiest access to reception and breakfast, but insist on a courtyard or hill-facing room for quiet.
- 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 — Pieve a Salti
Free WiFi throughout; average speed 15 Mbps; login via room number and surname
Lift serves main building (3 floors); historic annexes are stairs-only
Complimentary PressReader access on personal device; no physical papers.
Standard check-in 15:00–20:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 for €30 (subject to availability)
Complimentary luggage storage available during your stay; can be arranged before/after check-in/out
Step-free access to restaurant and some ground-floor rooms; no wheelchair-accessible bathrooms in main building; lift does not reach top-floor annexes.
Free on-site parking (unreserved, 30 spaces); nearest public car park is in Buonconvento (€5/day); no EV charging points.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per person per night (children under 14 exempt)
Deposit & card hold: 50% of total stay charged at booking; €100 incidental card hold on arrival
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Pieve di Santa Maria a Salti (1.7 km · ~22 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Buonconvento — 3.0 km · ~38 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange bureaus at Siena railway station or tourist offices—poor rates and fees.
Major credit and debit cards widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless and mobile pay common; keep small cash for markets and smaller bars.
Not mandatory; round up restaurant bills (5-10% for good service), taxis round to nearest euro, hotel staff a euro or two for bags/maid.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a bar counter: typically €1–1.50.
Pizza al taglio (by slice) or panino from a bakery: around €5–7.
Simple pasta or pizza in a trattoria: main course around €10–14.
Look for bakeries and takeaway pizzerias around Piazza del Campo and Via Banchi di Sopra for cheap slices and focaccia.
Conad, Coop, and Simply are common budget supermarkets in Siena.
High-street chains like H&M and OVS in the centre; seasonal markets (e.g., Piazza Matteotti) for affordable basics.
Walk—Siena's historic centre is compact. Bus from Florence or airport: Tiemme services €7-10 one way; no single day pass needed locally as walking covers almost everything.
Eat at market or counter-service places for lunch; buy water and snacks at supermarkets not tourist shops; skip the overpriced combined museum pass unless you plan to visit multiple sites.
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 Pieve a Salti
🕒 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 Pieve a Salti?
Request a room on the first floor (European first floor) facing the courtyard or the back garden, away from the main road. These rooms are quieter and often have a more pleasant outlook.
Which rooms should I avoid at Pieve a Salti?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (particularly those near the reception or breakfast area) as they can be noisy with guest traffic. Also, rooms directly above the bar or restaurant may pick up evening noise.
Is Pieve a Salti noisy?
The hotel is set in the Chianti hills, so street noise is minimal. However, if you’re in a room above the main tasting room or restaurant, you may hear dinner service until about 10pm. Also, any room near the service entrance might hear staff in the morning.
Which rooms have the best views at Pieve a Salti?
If the hotel is in central Siena (likely given the address 'Siena'), rooms facing the internal courtyard give a quiet outlook. If the hotel is more rural (it's actually in the countryside near Siena, but the address only says 'Siena'), ask for a room with a view of the olive groves or hills — the property is known for its estate vineyards and views.
What are insider tips for staying at Pieve a Salti?
1. Parking is free on the property — arrive early to secure a spot near the main building entrance to avoid carrying luggage across gravel. 2. Ask for a room in the 'Fattoria' building (main building) for the easiest access to reception and breakfast, but insist on a courtyard or hill-facing room for quiet.
What time is check-in at Pieve a Salti?
Check-in at Pieve a Salti is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Pieve a Salti have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; average speed 15 Mbps; login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Pieve a Salti?
€1.50 per person per night (children under 14 exempt)
Where can I eat cheaply near Pieve a Salti?
Pizza al taglio (by slice) or panino from a bakery: around €5–7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Pieve a Salti?
Walk—Siena's historic centre is compact. Bus from Florence or airport: Tiemme services €7-10 one way; no single day pass needed locally as walking covers almost everything.
When is the best time to visit Siena?
May, June and September: warm enough for terrace dining, long daylight, wildflowers on the Crete Senesi in May, harvest events in September – and Palio crowds have cleared.
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.