Borgo Villa Risi

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Borgo Villa Risi? The fact that it’s tucked away on Via Dei Cappuccini – and I mean really tucked away. You’re basically walking distance from the Duomo, but somehow you’ve escaped all that tourist chaos. It’s one of those Sienese streets where you’ll hear more Italian than English, which honestly made the whole experience feel more authentic.

The property itself is this gorgeous converted villa that – and I’m not exaggerating here – still feels like someone’s elegant home rather than a hotel. The original terracotta floors have that perfect worn patina that you can’t fake, and there’s this subtle scent of old wood and maybe lavender that hits you in the lobby. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night. Siena can be surprisingly noisy during the day with all the scooters and foot traffic, but once you’re inside these thick stone walls, it’s incredibly peaceful. The rooms have this wonderful mix of antique furniture and modern touches – nothing too fancy, but everything works perfectly. The bathrooms are actually spacious, which is sort of a miracle in Italian hotels, and the beds are genuinely comfortable (I’m picky about this stuff).

Here’s what you need to know about the location: it’s about a seven-minute walk to Piazza del Campo, but you’re on the quieter side of the historic center. There’s a little alimentari right around the corner where you can grab basics, and honestly, some of the best meals I had were at the neighborhood osteria just down the street – nothing touristy, just locals eating dinner at 9 PM like civilized people. The staff actually knows the area, too. When I asked about parking, they didn’t just hand me a generic map – they walked me to the nearest spot and explained the whole zona traffico limitato situation, which saved me from getting a ticket. Small thing, but it mattered. The breakfast setup is simple but done right – good coffee, fresh pastries from a local bakery, and they’ll make you a proper cappuccino instead of some machine nonsense. I mean, you’re in Tuscany, so the bar is pretty high for coffee anyway. What really sold me on this place was how it felt during passeggiata time in the evening. You could sit in their little courtyard area with a glass of wine and watch the neighborhood come alive without being right in the middle of the tourist parade. It’s that sweet spot where you feel connected to the city but not overwhelmed by it.

Rooms

• Three-Bedroom Apartment with 1 sofa bed and 3 large double beds for 8 adults
• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed for 4 adults
• Studio with 1 sofa bed and 1 large double bed for 4 adults
• Standard Studio with 2 single beds and 1 large double bed for 4 adults
• Executive Two-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 double bed for 6 adults

Reviews

• Alan from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Lovely surroundings and beautifully maintained. So peaceful after a day in Siena.
  Lovely accommodation and our studio apartment was a good size.
  Easy access to Siena if you don't mind a 30 min walk.

• Delbson from Brazil (9/10)

  Location and a very attentive host

• John from Italy (9/10)

  Lovely villa in the hills outside Siena, with stunning views of the Tuscan hillsides. The kitchen was fully equipped and the loft cozy, and the master bedroom spacious and comfortable. Perfect for us with a one-year-old — we could put him down for naps in the other room and enjoy the rest of the apartment. The host was also an absolute gem! We loved our stay here.

• Alexandra from Philippines (9/10)

  Lovely friendly hosts. Great size two bedroom apartment with lovely outlook and all the items needed in the kitchen. Beautiful garden which our kids loved exploring. Easy enough to jump on a bus into town (bus didn't always run exactly to timetable).

• Annelies from New Zealand (8/10)

  Lovely welcome from Jan. Good location with a bus to the city at the gate, or a 20-minute pleasant walk. A bit too cool for use of the pool now, but it would be lovely in the summer.

• Michael from Australia (9/10)

  We loved the peacefulness and tranquillity of the location of Borgo Villa Risi. We LOVED the pool. The gardens are magnificent and the flowers are bright and colourful with the grass beautifully manicured. We loved the staff, John and his wife, who made us feel very welcomed and attended to anything needed. We loved our quaint villa which had everything we needed. We loved the Cappuccini neighbourhood, the local bar and pizzeria and the general area. We loved the views across to Siena from our location. We were close enough to walk into the centre of Siena but far enough away to feel the ambience of the Tuscan countryside.

• Guy from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Location
  Practical

• Hayley from Australia (9/10)

  Highly recommend, was in a great location to explore the Tuscany region. Exceptionally clean, lovely gardens and a great pool. Perfect for two couples or a family. Friendly and welcoming hosts.

• Pedro from Portugal (8/10)

  The property has pleasant gardens and pool area is nice
  The unit had good size, with a living with integrated kitchen and a room with bathroom
  Everything was clean and in good shape
  Small private patio outside

• Maria from Greece (9/10)

  The area was perfect. The pool was very useful. The city was really close. We also felt very safe. We plan to come back next year.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities