B&B Palazzo Tortoli

We had a fantastic four-night stay, and the place matched what we expected. We wanted an authentic Tuscan experience in a medieval house, not a hotel atmosphere. The high ceilings, large windows, simple but comfortable rooms, and old exterior were exactly what we were after. A lot depends on knowing what you've booked. The owner says on the website and in the confirmation email that this isn't a hotel. It's a family-run place in a building that's over 700 years old, and a UNESCO World Heritage site, so changes and modern facilities such as elevators aren't realistic. We had good water pressure and hot water. The town center is busy, and a room facing the town may pick up crowd noise. We were happy to open the Italian-style window and watch people and activity in the plaza. If you'd rather have quiet, ask for a room facing the Tuscan hills. Both views are lovely. I disagree with people calling the place a scam, or expecting a five-star hotel for a modest price. Nearby towns and cities have five-star hotels if that's what you want, at around five times the cost. During check-in we got to see their other farm property, about a 20-minute walk from the main door of the old town. It has olive trees and a hilltop view of the old town, and guests can use the pool. The simple breakfast had decent coffee, bread, cereal, and torte. Anastasia, who handles breakfast and cleaning, was delightful, friendly, and always ready to help. She doesn't speak much English, but our Italian wasn't much better, and Google Translate worked for more complicated requests. Her smile and attentiveness were lovely. We explored San Gimignano and nearby villages on different days, and drove to Colle di Val Elsa, Volterra, Monteriggioni, and Siena. We also enjoyed biking around the Tuscan farms, hills, and villages. It's a hidden gem, and I think independent family businesses like this deserve support. Guests should adjust their expectations when visiting another country, town, or village.

Getting around with heavy luggage was difficult, the room was uncomfortable, and parking was four or five blocks away. There didn't seem to be a temperature control, so we kept the windows open and heard every sound from the busy square. We had high hopes but ended up disappointed. The unit managers were hard to reach. When they finally replied, they said our Airbnb reservation had somehow been cancelled and that we'd be charged a 50% fee, even though we chose to stay and pay the full night's fare. I'd suggest staying somewhere else in this beautiful town.

The architecture has stood the test of time, and every part of this city catches your attention. Come walk around and enjoy it.

A typical Italian scam. The website shows a nice room in the first photo, then they give you a room like the one in the other pictures.