Hi,
My husband and I and another couple are planning to stay 5 nights in Montalcino and tour the environs. We will have a car, but the majority have voted for staying in the village. We're looking at the B&B Palazzina Cesira, but I am thinking the comparably priced hotel might actually be more full service and convenient (with lobby resto and bar, valet parking, etc.) than the B&B. I know I have seen a couple of references to Hotel Il Giglio insofar as it being reasonabley priced, but can anyone tell me more about the hotel? For example, are the rooms okay or are they tiny? Is the staff welcoming/helpful? Is the restaurant decent if we are too pooped to wander out for a meal? I didn't find any reviews on it, so I am hoping some one who has been there recently might offer some insight. Thanks in advance!

I have not stayed at either hotel, but just want to recommend that you read Vanilla Beans and Brodo by Isabella Dusi before you go. Great history about Montalcino and I was sorry that I hadn't read it before I visited. Ms. Dusi and her husband also rent vacation properties and she provides tours of Montalcino as well. I think a search on her name may bring up her website.

If I remember correctly, I did a search and up came a few reviews from folks who stayed there at Il Giglio. Try the search and see what comes up.

We are booked at Il Giglio in seven weeks. But the Cesira looks very nice also.

Jennifer, there are so many good restaurants in Montalcino that it's not likely you would want to eat in your hotel. Montalcino is small enough that it doesn't take much energy to walk to a restaurant each evening, either.
Charity

Good luck trying to book Cesira. I've emailed them 3 times (over last 3 weeks)for a reservation and have received no reply. I decided to go elsewhere.

They are across the street from each other and both are excellent locations to enjoy the real village life on Montalcino. We stayed 3 nites at Il Giglio last Oct.--see my trip report on slowtrav. The rooms are small but the owner is very helpful--he parked my car for me twice. The Pal. Cesira may be nicer rooms but I did not like Roberto's attitude. He was slow to reply and demanded advance payment. Food is not a problem--several good places in town and the hotel food is above average. See my photos as well linked to the report. Good luck !

Thanks for the comments/feedback. I had done several searches on Il Giglio and didn't come up with much in depth, so I thought I'd post. I agree that they would both probably be fine, but we are leaning towards the hotel because I think it just might be more comfortable for everyone. We never spend a whole lot of time in hotel rooms (or B&B rooms) any way, so size should not be a huge issue (so long as we can move around okay). In defense of Roberto, I did inquire with him early on and he seemed very polite in his emails. But there were times when it took him a long while to respond back to me. I understand he does a bit of traveling so that might be why he was slow to answer. Nevertheless, lack of response is not a great way to run a business, no matter the circumstances.

Ann- thanks for the book recommendation! I already have it on order and I can't wait to read it. Ms. Dusi's website is www.montalcino-tuscany.com. You can order signed copies of her book on her website, but I got mine used at Amazon.

Yes, Roberto at Pal. Cesira is a little slow in responding to e-mail...although he has returned each of mine, and appears to very helpful. He did just recently return from a long vacation. I really hope our stay there in March works out for us.

I can thoroughly recommend Palazzina Cesira. The rooms are perfect, the hosts, an American Italian and his Roman wife are delightful and full of information. Lovely cooked breakfasts. We would go back in an instant! I put in a review 2001/2002.Have you visited their website.

The vacation, very common for inkeepers at this time of year, may be the true answer. I have booked recently without trouble. They do require a deposit. Buona fortuna.

I don't know about the Cesira but we stayed at Il Giglio last May and loved it! The rooms are small but very lovely and romantic. The bathrooms are very nice too.

The restaurant looked great and has a fantastic view, but we didn't eat there so I can't tell you if it is any good.


Have a nice trip!

/Lena