We’ve just returned from our third trip to Montepulciano and it’s easy to say we’ve fallen in love with the town and the surrounding area. If you’re planning a trip to Tuscany, Montepulciano is a great home base to visit many of the nearby hilltop towns, as well as traveling into Umbria. Whether you plan is to visit this area for a few days as part of a longer trip to Italy or you will spend all your time in one location, here are a few tips for making the most of your stay by picking the best hotel for you.
When to go –
Every year it seems Tuscany is getting busier. This last trip in September, the amount of tour groups really stood out to us. So if you have the option of going at the beginning or end of season (April, May or mid/late October), that might help you avoid some of the crowds.
Of course there are things you will only see in September – wine harvest for example. And if you go in April you most likely will deal with some cooler temps and rainy days. It really comes down to when you can go and if you have something specific you’re interested in seeing. We think we might look at the very beginning of season for our next visit, just to see if there is a slow time after all.
- Look for specials at different times of year. Not all hotels will run specials per se, but almost all have seasonally adjusted rates, so you can save a bit by going at the beginning of season. However, we recently saw a special at Borgo San Vincenzo for the “secret season” in Tuscany – November to the first week of January. Though we haven’t stayed there yet, it’s on our list since it looks amazing! With this special you can stay 4 nights for the price of 3, so it’s a great deal for sure!
- When it comes to temperature – One thing to keep in mind, to conserve energy, heat is only allowed from November 1st to April 15th for the region Montepulciano is in. The ability to heat or the willingness to accept fines may vary from hotel to hotel, but if you’re visiting on the fringes of this time, it’s something to plan for. You may also find that use of AC doesn’t start as early in the season as you might think or get as cool (or run while you’re out of your room). Again, this can vary depending on where you’re staying or if it’s an Airbnb vs a hotel. But if they are following this policy, don’t expect them to change because you ask them too. Most likely they won’t. Just bring warmer PJs for early spring and possibly ask for a fan in late May. It’s certainly not something to change plans over, just something to be aware of and prepare for.
Where to stay –
There is a wide range of options in and close to town that can go from just a couple hundred euros a night to over a thousand per night. So, planning what is best for your overall budget is very personal. You will find everything from a classic B&B, to “agriturismos” (B&Bs that are also working farms), to small, in town hotels. Almost all towns throughout Tuscany are small, so too are the accommodations. The largest hotel you will find will have around 20 rooms. Though most hotels are small, you will have plenty to choose from. Here are a few things to consider no matter what price point you’re looking at.
- If Montepulciano will be your home base for quite a few day trips, consider your hotels proximity to main roads. We recently stayed at a beautiful B&B. However, it was a 6km drive on “strade bianche” (white roads) before we made it to paved roads. These limestone gravel roads are all over the area, next to vineyards and olive groves. While they might look picturesque, they are not great to drive on. If you’re not familiar with driving on winding gravel roads, depending on the distance to a main road, it can easily add 15-20 minutes every time you leave your hotel. This might not sound like much, but in many cases your drive will already be 30+ minutes to get to most places. We found after the first few days it really lost its charm.
- Most hotels will offer breakfast, but not all will have a restaurant. If you plan on a slightly longer stay, say over 5 nights, a hotel with a restaurant is a nice option. Some days you might just want to head back to your hotel in the afternoon to rest and not venture out again.
- Investigate the room options if you or someone you’re traveling with has mobility issues. Since many hotels are in renovated historic buildings, most will not have elevators for upper floors. Make sure there are options on the ground level and that you can request or reserve those rooms specifically.
- When narrowing down your hotel options, check out their location on a map. This goes back to the type of driving and roads in the area. If you’re planning quite a few day trips (especially to Siena, Cortona, or Perugia for example), staying a little east of town and close to the autostrada might make the most sense for you. If you’re really focused on wine and plan to visit Montalcino for some Brunello vineyards, west of town might be the way to go. Don’t let the milage fool you, the type of roads add to the time, so location can be very important.
No matter where you pick, start the process by listing what is important to you for your stay and that will help lead you to a great choice. There are so many places to stay in the area, with a little research, you are bound to find the perfect place for you.
