Recently opened the Continental is the only 5 star luxury
hotel in the historical centre of Siena. Housed in the
17th Century Palazzo Gori, the hotel has been sympathetically
restored and is the perfect combination of up to the minute
service yet oozing an air of old world charm and sophistication.
The facade of the hotel was designed by Carlo Fontana,
the celebrated pupil of Bernini and the palazzo was in
fact an present from Pope Alexander VII to his niece Olimpia.
Just a few minutes walk from the celebrated Piazza del
Campo, you could not be in a better place to explore one
of Italy's finest towns.
Many of the rooms have frescoes on the ceilings, and
all of them are a decent size and individually decorated
with terracotta floors and original antiques. The tower
suite has the most breathtaking 360degree view of the city
from it's terrace, perfect for honeymooners but considered
by some to be a little too cozy for the price. Our other
favourite was the San Cristoforo suite which was huge and
covered from floor to ceiling with 15th century frescoes.
The interior courtyard has been transformed into a vast
conservatory with glass elevators soaring into the sky
and one of the coolest bars in the city. The cocktails
are deliciously lethal, especially their Bellini's and
if you can handle the tinkling piano in the background
it is almost impossible to leave once you've settled in.
In the summer months you can escape the stifling heat
of the city and use the pool at their sister hotel, The
Park which is just a few minutes drive from the city walls. |
