Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Siena

Renovated in 2010 in a contemporary vintage style, the 65-room Hotel Italia offers Siena's mid-range hotels quality competition -- sometimes for about an equal or even cheaper price. Although there’s no on-site restaurant or pool, the hotel has worked out a deal with its upscale sister property Hotel Garden where guests can indulge in half-board meals and free use of the pool. While located within walking distance to most Siena attractions and many restaurants and bars, people specifically visiting Siena for Il Palio may find the 25-minute walk to Piazza Il Campo inconvenient. Others may find the property's location off a busy road to be noisy.

Housed in a restored 18th-century villa just outside Siena's medieval city walls, the 22-room Hotel Santa Caterina is an intimate, welcoming, mid-range little hotel, often with budget-friendly rates. It's simple and with few amenities, and guests seem to like it that way; the historic building feels authentic and atmospheric, without being chintzy or overwrought. The hotel is typically Tuscan, with antique wooden wardrobes, terra-cotta floors, and views over the picturesque countryside. An extensive, free homemade breakfast is served in the conservatory in winter, and in the lush private garden in warmer months. While there's no full restaurant, there is a small lobby bar, and room service is available 24 hours a day. In-room massages can be arranged, as can babysitting and airport transfers, and the staff offers extensive concierge service.

The Hotel Palazzo Ravizza is an upper-middle-range hotel in the center of Siena that was built in the 19th-century as a family residence. The hotel has a private parking lot on-site, a rarity in the area. There’s a small bar and a tasty breakfast is included. The 37 rooms are furnished to reflect a 1920s' style, and they're plenty charming, with details such as wood-beam ceilings, chandeliers, and antique furnishings, but some are showing a bit of wear. Guests recommend paying extra to stay in the rooms with the gorgeous views of the Italian hillside.

Inside the historic walls of Siena, the 100-room Hotel Athena is a classic, upscale property. A rooftop terrace overlooks the historic buildings of the area and has a bar serving cocktails and snacks. There is a free breakfast buffet with hot and cold items and an elegant restaurant serving regional cuisine. The hotel is less than a 10-minute walk to the busy Piazza del Campo. There's no pool or fitness center at the hotel, but rooms are simple and clean and have free Wi-Fi.