Hotel Santa Caterina is a popular mid-priced choice on the south side of Siena, loved for its garden, its views and its staff. It stands on Via Enea Silvio Piccolomini, about three minutes on foot from the Porta Romana gate and about fourteen minutes from Piazza del Campo, which is a gentle walk into the centre and a steeper one back. Rooms are single, double and triple, with a loft-style character in some, and guests are drawn by the free full breakfast, the rooftop terrace and the garden where you can sit with a drink over the Tuscan hills. The hotel also offers a bar, a cafe, air conditioning, free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk, and pets are accepted. It is a good value for travellers who prefer a home-like hotel with outdoor space to a polished city-centre property, and its guest ratings are consistently high.
Location and getting around
The hotel sits just inside the walls near Porta Romana, so it is quieter than the centre and easier to reach by car. The walk to Piazza del Campo takes about fourteen minutes and to the cathedral about nineteen, mostly along streets that climb, so you will notice the slope on the way back after a long day.
Self-parking is available for a surcharge, but spaces are limited and some guests report difficulty finding one, so contact the hotel before you arrive by car. Siena's centre is a limited traffic zone, and the hotel is outside it, which helps.
The rooms
Three room types are offered, a single room with a semi-double bed, a double room and a triple room. Some rooms are described by guests as quirky or loft-style, with steps up to the bathroom, so ask about access if stairs are a problem. Air conditioning and free WiFi are standard. There is no restaurant, but a bar and a cafe serve drinks and light food, and many restaurants lie within a short walk toward the centre.
The garden and terrace
The best features are outdoors. The garden is a calm spot for breakfast or an evening drink, and the rooftop terrace has views over the surrounding countryside. Reviewers regularly praise these spaces, together with the warmth of the staff and the breakfast.
Who it suits
Couples, solo travellers, small families and travellers on a mid-range budget who want a friendly base with character. Childcare services are listed, with cribs available, and pets are allowed. It is less suited to guests who need a lift, a pool or a spa, or who want to be a few minutes from the Campo.
Good to know
Check-in starts at two in the afternoon and check-out is by eleven, with late check-out available for a fee. The hotel offers luggage storage, bicycle storage, laundry and concierge help, and free cancellation is available on selected rates. A city tax may apply per person per night. Book early for spring and autumn weekends, as small hotels in Siena fill quickly, and ask about the best route in by car so that you avoid the restricted zone.
Why stay here
- ✓Garden
- ✓Rooftop terrace with countryside views
- ✓Free full breakfast
- ✓Bar and cafe
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Free WiFi and air conditioning
- ✓Luggage and bicycle storage
- ✓Pets allowed
Good questions
Is breakfast included at Hotel Santa Caterina?+
Yes, a free full breakfast is included, and guests often praise it.
How far is it from Piazza del Campo?+
About a fourteen-minute walk, and about nineteen to the cathedral. The hotel is about three minutes from Porta Romana.
Does the hotel have parking?+
Self-parking is available for a surcharge, but spaces are limited, so contact the hotel before you arrive by car.
