Hotel Vecchia Oliviera Sas — Hotel in Montalcino

They say what makes a home are the people who inhabit it, and none are finer than Eleonora and Elisa at the Hotel Vecchia Olivera SAS. From the moment we arrived, I felt a warm sense of hospitality that truly made our stay exceptional.||||To give a bit of backstory, we originally booked an Airbnb down the road, but after a mix-up with our reservation, our hosts recommended a few nearby hotels. My wife and I chose Hotel Vecchia Olivera, and we couldn’t have been luckier!||||Eleonora, who’s been praised countless times in reviews, lived up to every word. Her personality is magnetic—vibrant, welcoming, and effortlessly down-to-earth. When we arrived, she mentioned we had accommodations from our other host, but I playfully asked for her finest room. She obliged, showing us to the VIOLA room. It had a stunning view that took our breath away—absolutely priceless. The room was charming, painted beautifully, and felt intimate and inviting.||||Eleonora took the time to show us around, explaining the breakfast options, the pool, and other activities. She immediately secured reservations for us at two fantastic local restaurants—both were out of this world. Breakfast each morning was simple yet delightful. The fresh fruit, meats, and a luscious juice blend of carrot, orange, and lime were just the right start. Her cappuccino was outstanding, and the little personal notes on the cutlery added a lovely touch.||||On our first morning, we mentioned our plan to visit Pienza, and Eleonora recommended a small osteria in Monticchiello. She wasn’t exaggerating—the view from our table was as spectacular as the meal, and the local olive oil and ricotta flan was unlike anything we’ve ever tasted.||||Though the hotel is rated three stars, it deserves much more. Yes, the room could have been bigger, and there could have been more amenities, but that’s not what makes a stay memorable. Sure, we could have had a larger TV with Netflix—but really, are you here to watch Netflix? If so, maybe it’s time to reconsider your priorities!||||On our final day, we met Elisa, who was just as gracious and warm. She kindly assisted us with breakfast, helped us load our luggage and gave us directions to Siena and Pisa as we made our way back...

They say what makes a home are the people who inhabit it, and none are finer than Eleonora and Elisa at the Hotel Vecchia Olivera SAS. From the moment we arrived, I felt a warm sense of hospitality that truly made our stay exceptional.

To give a bit of backstory, we originally booked an Airbnb down the road, but after a mix-up with our reservation, our hosts recommended a few nearby hotels. My wife and I chose Hotel Vecchia Olivera, and we couldn’t have been luckier!

Eleonora, who’s been praised countless times in reviews, lived up to every word. Her personality is magnetic—vibrant, welcoming, and effortlessly down-to-earth. When we arrived, she mentioned we had accommodations from our other host, but I playfully asked for her finest room. She obliged, showing us to the VIOLA room. It had a stunning view that took our breath away—absolutely priceless. The room was charming, painted beautifully, and felt intimate and inviting.

Eleonora took the time to show us around, explaining the breakfast options, the pool, and other activities. She immediately secured reservations for us at two fantastic local restaurants—both were out of this world. Breakfast each morning was simple yet delightful. The fresh fruit, meats, and a luscious juice blend of carrot, orange, and lime were just the right start. Her cappuccino was outstanding, and the little personal notes on the cutlery added a lovely touch.

On our first morning, we mentioned our plan to visit Pienza, and Eleonora recommended a small osteria in Monticchiello. She wasn’t exaggerating—the view from our table was as spectacular as the meal, and the local olive oil was unlike anything we’ve ever tasted.

Though the hotel is rated three stars, it deserves much more. Yes, the room could have been bigger, and there could have been more amenities, but that’s not what makes a stay memorable. Sure, we could have had a larger TV with Netflix—but really, are you here to watch Netflix? If so, maybe it’s time to reconsider your priorities!

On our final day, we met Elisa, who was just as gracious and warm. She kindly assisted us with directions to Siena and Pisa as we made our way back...

My wife and I spent two wonderful weeks in Upper Tuscany (Lucca, Bolgheri, Greve, Montecatini), Florence and Venice. After she returned home for work, I spent another week driving around Lower Tuscany (Siena, San Gimignano, Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino) before proceeding to France for ten days. After three splendid nights in Pienza, I booked two nights at this hotel, sight unseen, because it apparently had good parking and was offering a single room at an unusually good price.

The room turned out to be a small but entirely adequate room at the base of the hotel, opening on to the terrace. Given the rate, I was satisfied, though it was a "come down" from the much nicer rooms in which I had stayed during the preceding weeks. The view from the spacious terrace was magnificent, the staff were warm and friendly, the parking was fine, and the proximity of the hotel to the center of town -- while permitting fairly easy egress for drives out of town--made it an ideal base of operations.

After my first night, the wonderful proprietors, Elisa and Eleonora, offered me a much larger and more pleasant room upstairs that had become available for the same rate, if I were willing to book it for one more night. This may have been because some masons were doing work outside my original room, but it was nevertheless a very gracious and generous proposal I gladly accepted.

With respect, I cannot RAVE about the breakfast, which was fine, but not in the same league as some my wife and/or I enjoyed at other, comparable accommodations in Italy. I can say, however, that the breakfast, and especially the coffee, are very good and well within the standard of most comparable properties in Europe.

I can also say that Elisa (with whom I enjoyed a few delightful conversations) and Eleonora are unfailingly warm, welcoming, and gracious, that the hotel is very well managed and maintained, and that it offers an exceptional value. The views of the Val d'Orcia are fantastic. I very much hope to return with my wife, one day, for the area, despite its dark medieval history, is now a...