Agriturismo IL Colombaiolo — Hotel in Unione dei Comuni Valdichiana Senese

It must have been good fortune smiling on us when we found Maresco and Lucia at Colombaiolo. Call it luck, serendipity, or just following a hunch. We had intended to stay several nights in a nearby town but left after one night determined we could find something more comfortable. We did.||||We stopped in Pienza for lunch and a walk, did a little internet searching, then asked at a tourist info spot about this agriturismo that had pretty good reviews. They directed us around the old town, outside the walls and behind, then a sharp left heading toward the Val d’Orcia. We found the small sign and rang at the gate. Maresco let us in then went to find Lucia when he found us speaking English. Yes, she had a room and when we saw it we promptly accepted her terms.||||The spacious room, perhaps the one called “Summer,” boasts an entry with table and desk and a curtained arch opening into the spacious bedroom. A window allowed the morning light. A large wardrobe provided hanging space. A small refrigerator held beverages for sale. A safe protected our limited valuables. There was a WiFi router in the room with two servers providing good service. And the bathroom, … Large! There was a large tub for soaking complete with shower, so large a shower curtain was not needed. ||||Outside, the entire Val d’Orcia opened up below us. What a view! We enjoyed walking about morning and evening taking pictures and soaking up the atmosphere. We heard that there had been no rain to speak of for the past year. Indeed there was no water running in the stream beds. The fields all around were brown except for the golden vineyards and the silver olive trees. Nevertheless, farmers were deep plowing and cultivating in preparation for winter crops. And there was even an afternoon shower while we were there that seemed to change the colors of the valley overnight. ||||Lucia provides a well served breakfast of bread, pastries, cheese, yogurt, fruit, … more than I can remember. Everything is attractively laid out. She asked the night before how we wanted coffee and had it ready in thermos bottles when we arrived. On the first morning we asked for more coffee; the next morning there was a larger thermos. Lucia is attentive. ||||We marveled at the contrast of how new the place appeared while simultaneously seeming old and well established. When pressed, Lucia admitted that she repaints the interiors every year. I think we can assume that there is a good deal of detailed cleaning that goes on between paintings. She runs an immaculate B & B. ||||I didn’t get details on how much of the surrounding farm land is theirs. Close by livestock includes Peacocks, chickens, ducks, and a horse. There is a barn with several tractors and large equipment, an extensive stockpile of hay sufficient for more livestock than I could see, and surrounding areas of vineyards and olive orchards. When we go back, we will have to learn more about the farming operation. ||||Colombaiolo is conveniently located just five minutes or less by car from Pienza where we went for evening meals. It’s less than 30 minutes to Montepulciano, a trifle further to Montalcino. Both can be accessed by skipping the main roads and driving through the valley. Along the way, a stop in the village of Montichiello was a highlight. ||||Colombaiolo was a good find for us and a great place to enjoy that...

😊: The rooms are clean and the lady ironed a dress of mine when I asked to borrow the iron. The views from the garden are nice.. 😢: Right after I booked the place I realized the only check in time is 2-4pm and got concerned if our flight got delayed we wouldnt make it. I messaged immediately about this and they replied quote on quote saying "this is not a hotel we can't wait for you all day". Our flight did get delayed. I messaged we will be there before 6pm. She said "I'm at the doctor's you have to wait until 9pm or 10pm to check in". Upon pleading and saying that is a long time to wait during a THUNDERSTORM after driving for hours she said "not one minute past 6pm". We had to drive from Rome having no breaks at all to make it in a thunderstorm! She was very strict upon arrival telling us we are absolutely not allowed to bring food inside the room as there are mice in the farm and they will come into the room. She explained previous couple brought food and it caused problems and it was very difficult for her to clean out the mice from the room. We agreed of course. However, the first night I couldn't sleep because I could hear something going around in the room. After turning on and off the light until 4AM we did find a mouse in our suitcase!!! In the morning I talked to her that I would like our room changed. She immediately said no and blamed us that we brought in the mouse??? Then I said if there isn't another room I would like a refund to go find another place. She then realized I have a video of the mouse and got scared I would post it so she changed our room. She offered one free breakfast for us so I made a good (7/10) review with no comments until after check out she sent me incredibly rude messages that "we left creepy stains on the bed (it was a nose bleed that we even wiped with detergent!) and a dirty towel (we cleaned muddy shoes) and that we didn’t pay for the breakfast she offered for free so she rates us zero” so here is the...

My wife is in a wheelchair and this room was very easy to navigate with a totally accessable bathroom, The beds were very compfortable in this very nicely appointed room with a fantastic view of the Tuscan hills. This working farm makes htere own olive oil. Lucia and Maresco were absolutly wonderfull in providing for us. Lucia brought breakfast to the room. There were two of us and enough food for twice that many. The food was fresh and typically Italian, what a treat. Lucia also made reservations for us for two dinners in Pienza, both of which were memorable. Can you imagine the owner and the cook at one restaurant comming our to lift my wife's wheelchair up the two steps into the dining room!! The poeple in this twon were unbelievable in the was they care for tourists. One day at the Colombaiolo, my wife fell as we were getting from the car to th wwheelchair. Maresco can running over and lifted my wife back into the chair! I cannot say enough about this place and the owners Lucia and Maresco. When we departed they gave us a bottle of their own olive oil and also a DVD of pictures they have taken of the area.!! Thank you so much for your great treatment. This has been our favorite place to stay in all of Europe....