Drogheria & Locanda Franci

I arrived with high hopes, and the stay turned out even better than I expected. Sara and the rest of the staff were wonderful from the welcome onward. The hotel has a lovely little courtyard for an espresso, wine, or a cigar, plus an outdoor patio near the fortezza for a drink or some quiet time. Dinner was tasty, though the menu was a bit more limited than at some other restaurants. The wine list is impressive, especially if you like reds such as Brunello. Be sure to look just to the left inside: there’s a door leading to a well converted into a vertical wine cellar. Breakfast is served at the attached restaurant, with each plate made to order and an exceptional selection. Our third-floor De Castellano room had comfortable furniture, several places to sit, a good bed, and nice cross ventilation. The bathroom was equally well equipped, with vanity and shaving kits, a rainfall shower with a hand wand and strong pressure, and a beautiful clawfoot tub large enough for me to stretch out with my feet barely touching the other end. I enjoyed morning coffee and a book there while listening to the birds and church bells. I’m not sure when I’ll be back in Italy, but Montalcino and this hotel are high on my list.

Sara made such a great impression that I feel like I’ve made a new friend. This charming boutique hotel sits right beside the Fortezza, and our room, “Castellana,” had beautiful views. The bathroom was almost the size of a small apartment, with a tub and separate shower, and they provided olive oil based beauty amenities.

The dining room was cramped and uncomfortable, and the service only made the visit more disappointing. We had a confirmed table for two at 2:30 PM, but parking was difficult and we arrived around 2:45. They said the kitchen had closed and wouldn’t serve us. I understand restaurants have hours, but accepting a reservation means taking some responsibility for it. Turning away guests who are only 15 minutes late, despite a confirmed booking, felt rigid and disrespectful. With the limited space, I’d at least expected better service. Poor reservation handling and an uncomfortable dining area. I wouldn’t recommend it.

After an hour’s wait, the only thing they brought was the steak. None of the listed side dishes came with it. When I pointed this out, I was first told the meal didn’t include sides. I asked to see the menu, and the waiter went away, then returned to say they’d run out of potatoes. He never addressed the other sides listed with the meal.