NH Siena

A historic grand dame from the outside, complete with a brick exterior and columns flanking the entrance, the NH Siena is a contemporary business hotel on the inside. The high-ceilinged lobby is cavernous, with columns, stone floors, a baby grand piano, and an oversize ornate chandelier lending character to a somewhat soulless room of boxy, brown and red leather couches. The restaurant and bar have a more cohesive style, with gold columns, gray upholstered chairs, reddish-orange sofas and banquettes, and a sleek and stylized black bar. The hotel attracts a mix of tourists and business travelers.

The NH Siena is located on a busy piazza right outside Siena's centro historico, or historic center. The main bus station, with buses to Florence, is just around the corner, as is the city's main stadium, where the local football (soccer) team plays; on game days, the neighborhood can be loud and crowded. The historic center is easiest to navigate on foot, and sights, such as the green-and-white Duomo and the imposing Palazzo Pubblico, are within a 10-minute walk of the hotel. Note that the hotel does not have parking, and parking can be tough to find in the area.

The rooms at the NH Siena are clean-lined and modern but don't venture far from standard chain fare. Floors are either hardwood or covered in dark patterned carpet, dark wood accents and furnishings complement navy blue headboards and chairs, and all rooms got new mattresses in 2014. Many rooms are small, and extra floor space is hard to come by. The Junior Suites are noticeably larger and, in addition to a separate sitting area, have more amenities, including  Nespresso machines,  soaking tubs, and jetted showers. All other rooms have tea- and coffee-making facilities, minibars, flat-screen TVs, and free but slow Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are similarly modern, with limestone tilework, high-end chrome fixtures, a green glass counter, signature toiletries, and either a walk-in shower or a combination shower/tub.

The free daily breakfast is an extensive buffet with a wide range of options, including made-to-order hot dishes. The hotel also has a stylish restaurant and bar serving local cuisine, wine, and spirits. The small fitness center is nothing special, but has all the requisite free weights and machines. There are meeting/event spaces, and there is a small business center with a computer for guests' use, for a fee. Basic Wi-Fi is free, but it's slow. A stronger connection is available for a fee.