Hotel Il Castello

I liked the typical Italian breakfast served at the hotel and how guests were offered choices for a variety of healthy options. The selection would suit people with different food preferences and people with allergies (see below). The quality of the food was excellent. I liked that the hotel owner, Alfred, was also our host - always around and available when I had a question, in a helpful, non-obtrusive way. Alfred's music always made me smile! The staff could not have been better - from housekeeping to kitchen and breakfast room, bar and fine dining - they seemed to really care about this special place. I loved the outdoor terraces and the expansive views of Toscana with the towers of San Gimignano off in the distance. I will always remember the evenings ... when leaving our room, we were met with the most amazing aromas from the kitchen - the fragrance of herbs in the pot enticed us down the stairs like an sensory invitation to explore aperitivo and eventually dinner. The experience was magical - these things just do not happen at home! One of our favourite memories is of the wild tortoises who are indigenous to the area. They find their own spaces to live with the hotel (outside) and drop by once a while when the sun is just right. The eldest fellow is around 90 years old and he is quite a character. These tortoises have lived in this place longer than almost any other living guests. I suppose they have adapted to share this incredible place with the rest of us.

The only improvement I can suggest is to offer the allergy codes/numbers in multiple languages at breakfast.

The hotel is historic but the rooms and bathrooms are renovated to high standards of comfort and were very clean. The hotel has the best terrace location to watch the sunset, and is right next to the funicular. Staff were super friendly and kind

I had to be there during the low season so most of the restaurants and cafes in the village were closed unfortunately!

Hotel il Castello is welcoming and decorated with style. Friendly personal, jazzy atmosphere, medieval Italian style. Great views on the valley from the bedroom window, up to San Gimignano. Breakfast is complete and cappuccino's perfect. There is a very romantic terasse with great views, where diner is served. 👍

The accommodation in the bathroom might need a little refresh and the bed was a bit hard, but we received cushions to soften it.

The location is amazing, on top on beautiful city. Right next to vernicula to get into the lower part of the town. The host was able to accomodate free parking nearby for our rental car, a 2 minute walk from the hotel. An amazing terrace to drink and watch the sunset. Breakfast was basic but great for the price. The staff were kind and made amazing drinks and coffee! Dinner at the restuarant was beautiful. Again, the views from the restuarant were beautiful.

The hotel is at the top of the steepest hill (honestly it’s horrendous) but if offered the most amazing views and is so quaint and picturesque. This felt so authentic and satisfied the most romanticised version of Italy you could ever imagine. Just be sure to use the funicular (tram) which takes you to the top - it’s very cheap). The room was a nice size with a wonderful modern clean bathroom and powerful shower. The owner was nice and gave us free water and the continental breakfast was very nice.

The bed wasn’t very comfortable and the fridge was so small you couldn’t even fit a bottle of wine in. Some bottles of water isn’t he room would have been appreciated. Although it says there is air on it didn’t really work.

exceptional location, very clean, manager was very helpful with room allocation - we were a party of 13 (7 rooms). very wide selection for breakfast, beautiful courtyard and with amazing views

we had dinner in the restaurant on our first night, there was a very limited selection and with quite small portions, thought it was quite expensive! we all needed more mirrors in bedrooms - we only had a mirror above the sink in our bathroom and this was very difficult to use to put makeup on with as lights were too dim and mirror too far away. Otherwise, perfect :)

Great hotel. Initially we found it hard to find parking at the free parking area near the funicular railway station, as there was a weekend market in the parking area. We contacted the hotel, and we were then able to drive into the ZTL to unload our cases at the hotel. Alfred, the host then showed us the location for free parking nearby. The hotel was excellent and well maintained. The room was fine and very clean. There is a good restaurant at the hotel. Certaldo is a fascinating small historic town. We enjoyed our stay, here.

Nothing comes to mind.

We made a wonderful few days at this boutique style hotel, one of the loveliest I've stayed at in Italy. An old building, full of beautiful things, the hotel is in a stunning hill top location overlooking the town. Alfred our host was helpful in every way, providing us with tea making paraphernalia for our room quickly when requested. We loved the jazz vibe in the bar.

There was nothing I can think to complain about.

WE loved the location, being in the old town was a treat for us.

We happened to be there during the heat wave, as with all older hotels the AC had troubles keeping up but it was ok once we settled in, Alfred ( manager ) helped us out by relocating us to a room with a newer AC unit.

Location was wonderful- fabulous terrace with views over the town. Breakfast was delicious. Rooms inc bathroom were large.

It was all good for us but as you’re at the top of the town it’s quite hilly and you need to get a funicular to get to the train station/town