Once a Villa: Now, a Small Hotel in Siena
by deecat about The Hotel Santa Caterina
Our first trip to Italy in 1997 included the lovely town of Siena. We drove from Verona to Siena, and once we arrived, we had a difficult time finding Hotel Santa Caterina. We knew that it was near Porta Romana, and so we parked near there and walked until we found the hotel.
The friendly hotel clerk told us to park in front of the hotel, which we did. This three-star hotel used to be an 18th century patrician villa; today, it is a 22-room hotel, all with private bathrooms. The bathroom in our particular room was fantastic.
Although our room was small, it was located at the backside of the hotel, which overlooks the lovely countryside, and it is ever so quiet. People with rooms on the front side of the hotel, near the street, did complain of noise. So, ask for a room in the back.
I remember that our room was the only one with a small balcony.
The room was decorated in typical ancient Tuscan style, which added to the romantic ambience. The rooms all have direct telephones, Satellite TV, a minibar, and air conditioning. I recall vividly having a delicious breakfast on the glassed-in porch area. The view was just wonderful because this veranda overlooked a wide garden as well as the Sienese countryside.
The Hotel Santa Caterina is such a smart place to stay while visiting Siena because of its priviledged location, its cozy rooms, the splendid bathrooms, and the helpful/friendly staff.
We paid under one hundred dollars in 1997; however, after looking up the price for 2005, I was surprised to find that the price has gone up considerably. Nevertheless, it's still an excellent choice for a hotel in Siena.
An Excellent Choice
by TripAdvisor Member jdwharton
My wife and I started our honeymoon at the Santa Caterina in April and couldn't be more happy with our choice. While it was very pricey, it was worth every penny for our special occasion. We stayed three nights in a junior suite and the views were just stunning. The staff were all very courteous and attentive also. Breakfast every morning on the restaurant terrace was really nice. We didn't try the restaurant itself, but had room service on our own balcony one night. The food was very good with impeccable service. I would highly reccomend this hotel.
The Best
by TripAdvisor Member mikeagm
If I'm totally honest, I'm a hotel obssesive. Just got back from venice/positano and amalfi. Amalfi not nearly as nice as positano but the Santa Caterina was utterly amazing.
Overall, found the service in Italy to be a different class to say France. Shame, love France but tough to want to go there when Italy this good
Excellent hotel with superb service
by TripAdvisor Member CirencesterGlos
I cannot recommend the hotel too highly. A fantastic setting with superb views over the sea. First class service and a good, though not cheap, restaurant. Some excellent restuarants in the town.
fantastic service
by TripAdvisor Member MISS CAPRI
A week ago we stayed for 3 nights in the santa caterina,amalfi.The location is magnificent, the staff the most efficient we ever crossed and a beautiful junior suite set in a villa on a rock terrace.the only inconvenient is that the sun is gone around 4.30pm, she dissapears behind the mountain.
Excellent location
by TripAdvisor Member CPGM
This was our second stay at Caterina in the last two years.
We had a lovely room with a large terrace and amazing views of Amalfi's coastline.
Santa Caterina has to be one of the best located hotels with amazing views from the pool area, restaurant and bar.
We were staying half board and the dinner restaurant was fine. However, we were there ten nights and some of the specials started to come around again.
Our favourite place to eat was the lunch restaurant with excellent pasta and pizza dishes.
The staff as we remembered from our last visit are very good, especially all the waiters.
The only negative experience we had was during dinner on one of our last nights when one of the maitre de asked us to finish our drinks at the bar as they needed the table. This made us feel rushed and and as we were spending ten nights with Caterina half board we did not appreciate being hurried along.
Only Just a five star hotel
by TripAdvisor Member Sackville
There is no doubt about it this IS a fine hotel; but it's NOT a GREAT hotel worthy of the ridiculous prices charged (and clearly paid - the hotel was full during the week of our stay).
Having booked a Junior Suite (don't bother - waste of money) we were ushered halfway down the hilltop to what in England we would call a small block of 'flats'. The hotel called it The Villa. Well whatever it was despite it's excellent cleanliness and space it had a balcony with limited sea-views, (but no privacy) and suffered from the most appaling noise pollution from adjoining rooms.
It took three days to get the front office staff to take us seriously about a move (we found it difficult to get sleep thanks to the loud American family next door) and while I appreciate that the hotel was full, there were people who wanted to swap but the staff just chose to ignore these requests. It was only when I asked to check out of the hotel altogether, that miraculously the next day we were moved to another room. Although technically a downgraded room (Deluxe Double) in the main hotel, it was far better appointed and spotless. HOWEVER, having complained of noise in the previous rooms the room we were relocated to was between two elevators!!!!
The food & beverage pricing is ridulously high at this hotel (the food expecially). Yes - it's a five star hotel (only just) and yes - the service is of the highest standard (with a few exceptions) and yes - the location and views are stunning, but the menu is nothing GREAT or worthy of the stupid prices charged. So why do they insist on charging such high prices? - becasuse they can, and we all sit there handing over the cash like robots thinking wer're getting something special. I'm not too sure it's THAT special.
Photos
Breakfast Room at Santa Caterina Hotel, Siena
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