B&B Palazzo Tortoli

Location: Piazza Della Cisterna 22, San Gimignano, SI, 53037, San Gimignano, IT

Star Rating: 9.2 Stars

Property Type: Riads

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 06:30 PM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Instructions: This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). To arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 72 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. There is no front desk at this property. The check-in location differs from the property location. Check-in location: [Via Vecchia 66]. To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. If you are planning to arrive after 6:30 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions. The host will greet guests on arrival. For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation.

Amenities & Facilities

• Free breakfast
• Express check-out
• Free WiFi
• Express check-in/check-out
• Street parking
• Wheelchair accessible
• Free breakfast
• Safe-deposit box at front desk
• Express check-out
• Smoke-free property
• Tours/ticket assistance
• Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
• Free buffet breakfast
• Handrails in stairways
• Upper floors accessible by stairs only
• Well-lit path to entrance

Rooms Available

• Romantic Double Room, 1 Bedroom, Non Smoking

  1 Queen Bed

  269-sq-foot room with city views

  
  

  Layout - Bedroom

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator and electric kettle

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Safe, laptop workspace, and wardrobe or closet; rollaway beds (surcharge) available on request

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating

  Accessibility - Tile flooring in room

  Non-Smoking, pet friendly

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Bidet
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Portable fan
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Laptop-friendly workspace

• Panoramic Apartment, 2 Bedrooms

  1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

  592-sq-foot individually furnished room, located in an annex building, deck/patio with hill views

  
  

  Layout - 2 bedrooms, living room, and sitting area

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Kitchen with refrigerator, stovetop, oven, and cookware/dishware

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Safe, laptop workspace, and wardrobe or closet

  Comfort - Air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating

  Accessibility - Tile flooring in room

  Need to Know - No rollaway/extra beds available

  Non-Smoking, pet friendly

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Kitchen
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Bidet
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Separate sitting area
  • Free WiFi
  • No rollaway/extra beds
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Portable fan
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Spices
  • Laptop-friendly workspace
  • Deck or patio
  • Freezer

• Romantic Apartment, 2 Bedrooms

  2 Queen Beds

  640.5-sq-foot room with hill views

  
  

  Layout - 2 bedrooms and sitting area

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Kitchen with refrigerator, stovetop, oven, and cookware/dishware

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Safe, laptop workspace, and wardrobe or closet; rollaway beds (surcharge) available on request

  Comfort - Daily housekeeping, heating, and portable fan

  Accessibility - Tile flooring in room

  Non-Smoking, pet friendly

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • Hair dryer
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Kitchen
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Bidet
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Separate sitting area
  • Free WiFi
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Portable fan
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Laptop-friendly workspace
  • Freezer

Guest Reviews

• Lillian (10/5): - This hotel is not family or vacation friendly. This is for a local tourist that’s traveling with a backpack. There are about 80 stairs to get to your room, so take that into consideration for every time you have to go back to your room. There is also no air conditioning and the owner told us just keep your windows open. That was also not doable with the noise outside and all the birds that would fly inside bc there are no curtains or nets on windows. We went in may-June and it was cool outside but very very hot in the room so I can’t imagine staying here when hot outside. There is also parking but about a mile away and all uphill to go to this hotel. It was torture staying here with kids and when we asked to change room the person in charge was very rude.
• Peter (10/5): - San Gimiagno is fantastic and our rooms were in an excellent location. Secure safe and historic. Wonderful.
• April (10/5): - This is a great B&B its right in the heart of the town. The rooms are very clean and have historical character. The staff are so friendly and helpful.
• Maeli (10/5): - Accommodating and welcoming staff. Prompt response, when asked.
• Lynn (10/5): - I wish I could’ve stayed a few more days! Great Host and location
• Susan (10/5): - We had a wonderful stay in San Gimignano. Our host Andrea was very helpful and offered advice and information on what to see and do in the town. The apartment was spacious and clean and well equipped with everything we needed. The view from the window was spectacular. It was a bonus to have breakfast included. The location was perfect for exploring the town. We hope to return and highly recommend the apartment to family and friends.
• Jennifer (10/5): - Beautiful hotel quaint town with plenty to see. Very helpful staff, nice delicious breakfast. We had a lovely time. The beds and pillows are very firm which takes getting used to but overall we were very impressed.
• Toni (10/5): - Amazing location and beautiful room with appropriate, functional antique furniture.
• Nora (10/5): - What a great location
• SparkSense (10/5): A Super Honest Review - A Super Honest Review I feel compelled to address the earlier low ratings given to this B&B by some travelers. It's important to note that the owner clearly explained on their website and confirmation email that this is not a hotel, so adjusting your expectations is necessary. In my opinion, this place deserves more credit for what it is, and I completely disagree with the claims that it's a scam. Here's a little advice: you're staying in a 700+ year-old structure, likely older than many discovered countries. Therefore, it's unrealistic to expect modern amenities like elevators or top-of-the-line facilities. However, you'll be fortunate enough to have good water pressure and hot water. Keep in mind that this is a UNESCO World Heritage building, and there are limitations on what can be changed or modified in such structures. Some guests mentioned noise, but when booking this place, I'm sure you did your due diligence to check its location. A quick Google search would reveal that it's in the center of town, and as is the case with any place, big or small, the town center is always bustling. If your room faces the town, you might naturally hear some crowd noise. On the other hand, you can also embrace the medieval charm by opening your Italian-style window and observing passers-by, tourists, and the exciting activities in the plaza. If you prefer a quieter room, I recommend requesting one facing the Tuscan hills. Both views are wonderful. During our four-day stay, we had a fantastic experience that aligned with our expectations. We didn't anticipate a hotel-like ambiance; rather, we were seeking an authentic Tuscan experience in a medieval house that has stood for nearly a millennium. We were delighted to find high ceilings, simple yet comfortable rooms with large windows, and beautiful external architecture—all of which we desired. The check-in process was enjoyable as we got to see the other farm property, a 20-minute walk from the main door of the old town. If you're looking for a farm-like setting with olive trees and a hilltop view of the old town, take advantage of this opportunity and visit the farm. You can even use their swimming pool. The place also offers a simple breakfast. Again, it's important not to have overly high expectations for breakfast. If you're seeking a substantial meal, I recommend going out and paying around 30+ euros at a proper restaurant. The breakfast provided consists of decent coffee, bread, cereals, and torte. Anastasia, the lady in charge of breakfast and cleaning, is delightful. She's friendly and always willing to help. Although she doesn't speak much English, it wasn't an issue as our Italian wasn't much better. We used Google Translate for more complex requests, and it worked out fine. It's all part of the experience. Anastasia's constant smile and attentiveness made us appreciate her even more. On different days, we explored San Gimignano and neighboring villages. We also took a drive to Colle di Val Elsa, Volterra, Monteriggioni, and Siena. Additionally, we enjoyed biking around the vast Tuscan farms, hills, and villages, which was a great experience. Overall, our stay was wonderful, and it saddens me to see other guests being harsh in their comments about this place. It's essential to remember that this is a family-owned establishment, not a five-star hotel. We should support independent, family-owned businesses more and adjust our mindset when visiting another country, town, or village. Remember, you're paying a modest price for a hidden gem, and if you desire a five-star hotel experience, you can always pay three times more in neighboring towns or cities.
• Mark (10/5): Truly Authentic - San Gimignano is beautiful and we are so glad we stayed here as the room is right in the historic city. We were lucky as our room was only up about 8 stairs (other rooms were another flight up). We didn’t read the check in procedures which require you to notify the owner 24 hours in advance. We just showed up and called the contact. Lucky for us he was on site to check in other guests. He was able to meet us at the public parking lot and we followed him with our car into the historic center in order to drop our bags. We then had to return the car to the parking lot and paid about 15 euros to leave our car over night. The room was authentic and beautiful but we didn’t have any glasses or a full roll of toilet paper (and ran out!). It may have been because they didn’t really expect us as we just showed up. Our host was incredibly kind.
• Jonathan (10/5): - Loved the staff/owners, the property and San Gimignano
• 111jeffreyf (4/5): Better places with better management - Unfortunately, our high hopes were met with disappointment. The unit managers were hard to contact. When we finally heard from them, they informed us that our reservation through Airbnb was somehow cancelled and that we would be charged a 50% fee, even though we decided to stay and pay for a full night fare. The room itself is uncomfortable and hard to access with heavy luggage. There was no apparent control for the temperature so we had to keep the widows open which meant we heard every sound from the always busy square. Parking is 4-5 blocks away. I suggest other places in this beautiful town.
• amanda673 (10/5): Lovely homebase - We absolutely loved our stay at Palazzo Tortoli, part of a group of B&Bs owned by Andrea, Francesco and Carla. We were immediately welcomed into the fold when we walked down from San Gimignano to their farmhouse to check in. While unexpected, this walk down gave us one of our most treasured views of the hilltop from below (and our host drove us back to our car to retrieve luggage, and right up to our door to checkin). But first, we were lucky enough to arrive at the farm as they bottled their vin santo - and enjoyed vin santo and biscotti with the family and another couple staying at the farm. Arriving at the Palazzo itself, we were blown away when shown our room: The views of the Tuscan valley from our room was just stunning -- glorious views of the sunrise each morning! As we added additional nights after arrival, we switched rooms our last night to overlook the Piazza della Cisterna -- and we enjoyed this room just a much! Antonella provided a delicious breakfast of baked goods, yogurts, fruits and cappuccino. We found our stay to feel very authentic and charming, we felt like guests in a home, rather than patrons of a hotel.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Hospitality is the key with this property: We walked down the hillside from San Gimignano to check in at the B&B's farmhouse, a 15-minute walk down a lovely country road, providing the most amazing views of San Gimignano from outside the walls. There, we arrived just as the proprietors were bottling their vin santo -- to our luck! We enjoyed a glass (or two!) with biscotti, alongside Andrea, Francesco, Carla and another couple staying at the farm. What a welcome! We welcomed a ride to our B&B, right on the Piazza delle Cisterna. We walked up a few flights, and when our host flung open the shutters, we had the most idyllic view of the Tuscan valley. We woke each morning in that room to a beautiful sunrise, then enjoyed baked goods, fruit and cappucinos each morning in the common breakfast area (thanks, Antonella!). We loved our first day so much, we added two more nights, on our third night moving to a room that overlooked the piazza. Both rooms were spectacular, with antique furniture and furnishings that hinted at its palazzo past. Take note of the placard in the foyer - notable citizens lived in this palazzo for a century! On Mondays and Thursdays, dinner is offered at the farm, which was a lovely change from dinners we'd enjoyed within the walls. We loved feeling so welcomed by Francesco, Andrea and Carla, and recommend staying with them! We hope to return.
• Galina (10/5): - Everything was beyond incredible. A little piece of heaven on earth. That good.
• A (6/5): - Pros are the location, room size, and view of valley. As for the location, there are two other hotels on the main square that both have onsite staff, I would advise to choose one of them instead of this B&B. Cons are everything else. The checkin was difficult. There is no onsite staff and the door is unmarked and hard to locate. We had to walk bags up the hill and call and wait for someone to check us in. There was no coffee pot in the room, no AC, 4 floor walk up, and the few staff we spoke with didn’t understand English very well and were hard to talk with. There is only public parking at 10-15 euros per day (no in out privileges) which is very limited from 10-6 each day.
• Verified traveler (6/5): - The flat was not anything like was pictured, and though it was ok and very well located, I wouldn't have booked it at this price if I'd seen an accurate depiction. In order to park the car, it was necessary to park at their farmhouse, which is a 20 minute walk.
• JEFFREY T (10/5): Great Location, but be aware of what that brings. - The location makes this room fantastic and also led to the negatives. We had a city side room overlooking the city square. The view was amazing, people watching great, and every evening, we listened to live musicians playing in the square. As with many of these old buildings, there is no air conditioning, so sleeping with the windows open is a must in the summer. Just be aware that the street sweeping truck comes through at 7 AM. On Thursday morning at 5 or 6 AM, a group of about 12 trailers come in and set up a market in the square which is VERY noisy. In the spring and fall, these would not be an issue. Overall, we would stay here again due to the location and beauty of the building.
• Victoria (4/5): Read location of check in - Requested Twin beds if possible and got a double. Location was excellent BUT read the instructions for checking in, not the location of the accommodation. Included breakfast. No air conditioning. Parking is not close.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Great location. Room very clean. Great to have a fridge in the room. Plenty to choose from at breakfast and staff very helpful.
• Alexander (10/5): Feel like you’re in a dream - Utterly amazing! It was spacious and had the most unbelievable views. The check in was a bit of a hike but the owner/manager drove us back to get our luggage and took us straight to the door. Highly recommended spot- it was our favorite place of all 5 hotels we used throughout Italy!! It was everything we had imagined it could be
• Gustavo (8/5): - nice option for a couple of days. Very well located.
• Dirk (8/5): - Fantastic situation Helpful owner and staff Good breakfast Felt part of the centre and its vibe Quite noisey overnight No tea/coffee making facities Shower a little dismal
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Great
• scott (4/5): - When we first walked in, we thought it was lovely. 2 story old, historic tower apartment. It had no A/C, so heads up for anyone who would definitely want that. There was a kitchen, but no oven, just a stove top. And no dishes. Parking was quite a walk away, up a lot of pretty steep hills with luggage, and ranged anywhere from 10-20 euros a day, depending upon which lot you were in. The family was friendly and came within 30 minutes when we locked our keys in the room, but it isn't really a bed and breakfast in the sense that the owners are around or engaged. It was basically an apartment you rented. Breakfast was included, in another building a few doors away, but seemed "light" compared to the other places we stayed. The location was great, right in the square of San Gimingiano, but the nature of the building and the tourism of the square did mean it wasn't always so quiet. Maid service was every other day, and the toiletries were minimal. We consider it a learning experience and will pay closer attention to some detail in the future.
• paulandc0 (6/5): Nice but a bit disappointed. - We paid for a room with a premium price (125 Euros in October) on the understanding that we had a view of Tuscany. Unfortunately the view is only from the upper floor..... and the Manager told us we should have known! This being said, staying in a Palazzo has its charms and breakfast + WiFi were OK. We just had to wake up early to catch the sunrise from the City walls. Parking is free in some places and 2 excellent Trattorias very nearby.
• caymansky (6/5): Great location! - We stayed in the Il Focalare room. Exactly like the photos on the web site. The Palazzo is facing Cisterna Square, a great location! The room was clean, bright, spacious and very affordable. Francesco picked us up at the car park & drove us to the square. We enjoyed our stay in San Gimignano.
• Pontiy (10/5): Absolutely fantastic - We've booked 2 rooms in historic center through San Gimignano Diffuso B&B. They have the main building with pool outside the walls (900m) and call it farmhouse but they also have superior and standart rooms to book in city center. When we arrived, the owner met us, helped with luggage and than allowed to stay in one place though we had 1 superior room and 1 standart which should be in another place in the city. For the same price! Since the building is the old palace, rooms are huge with old and monumental furniture. Interior is fantastic. The location is the best also. Everything was absolutely amazing. Though we didn't have wi-fi and breakfast, San Gimignano was so charming that we were very happy. And we've stayed only for 1 night.
• KielSilvi (8/5): Wonderful place - We stayed at the room Le Bifore in Palazzo Tortoli in San Gimignano. A wonderful room with the old charme of a palazzo! We enjoyed staying right at the town square. Big room with a huge bed! BUT the appartments kitchen unit was not good. Apart from 2 espresso cups there was only one bigger cup. The cafétiere was mouldy so we had to buy a new one. Otherwise I can only recommend this place! Mind you, we were there out of season and the place was quiet. I am not sure how noisy it is in the summer! Parking was expensive. We stayed 2 nights. You can walk all of San Gimignano in 2 days!

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