La Barriera di San Lorenzo – Dimora Storica

Hotel Description

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I first walked up to La Barriera di San Lorenzo on Via Garibaldi – I mean, it’s tucked between these regular-looking buildings and honestly, you could walk right past it. But then you step inside and it’s like… well, it’s one of those moments where you realize you’ve stumbled onto something pretty special. The whole place feels like someone’s elegant great-aunt decided to open her historic palazzo to guests, which actually isn’t far from the truth. The staff greeted me like I was family (that Italian hospitality thing is real), and within minutes I was settled into this gorgeous room with original frescoed ceilings and windows that look out onto the narrow medieval street below. The morning light filtering through those shutters? Perfect.

What really gets me about this place is how it sits right in the heart of Siena’s historic center – you’re literally a five-minute walk from the Duomo and maybe ten from Piazza del Campo, but somehow Via Garibaldi stays relatively quiet even during the crazy summer months. I stayed there in July, and while the main tourist streets were packed, I could actually sleep with the windows open because the street noise was just… normal life, you know? Locals heading to work, the occasional Vespa, church bells in the distance. The building itself dates back centuries (they’ll tell you all about the history if you ask), and they’ve done this incredible job of preserving the original character while making everything actually comfortable. My bathroom had heated floors – not something you expect in a 16th-century building, but there you go.

The breakfast situation is lovely too, served in this intimate room where you can chat with other guests or just sit quietly with your cappuccino and plan your day. They source everything locally, which sounds like marketing speak but you can actually taste the difference in the pastries and that incredible Tuscan honey they serve. One morning I ended up in a long conversation with the owner about the best walking routes through the city – turns out there’s this amazing viewpoint about fifteen minutes away that most tourists never find. Honestly, that’s the kind of place this is. The location means you can explore Siena on foot without dealing with buses or taxis, and when you’re tired of navigating crowds, you can retreat to this peaceful little sanctuary. Sure, parking can be tricky if you’re driving (welcome to Italian city centers), but they’ll help you figure it out. For what you get – the location, the history, the genuine warmth of the place – it’s actually incredible value. This is exactly the kind of hotel that makes you want to come back to Siena again and again.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $140. Deluxe Room with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $140. Deluxe Room with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $140. Deluxe Double Room with Shower with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $140. Deluxe Room with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Exceptional – William from United Kingdom – 12 July 2025 (10/10)

  Niccolò was a very welcoming and helpful host, giving lots of good recommendations for how to make the most of our time in Siena. A breakfast with lots of different options was provided each morning, which was very welcome. The property is in a very good location, just 5 minutes walk into the old part of the city. I’d definitely recommend staying here!

• Highly recommended! See all my comments! – Angus from Australia – 27 June 2025 (10/10)

  2 min walk into the old town, and lovely and quiet. Our host was wonderful – and the level of personal service (sending ideas in where to go, where to take photos, organising a taxi and so on) was by far and away the best service we’ve had on our three trip so far (been to Como, Garda, Verona, Rome and Florence).
  
  Oh, and the breakfast! Perfecto; made to order, lashings of fruit, great coffee and your own little mezzanine floor to eat from 🙂
  
  What could be improved: Nada!

• Couldn’t of asked for a better place to stay, everything about it was perfect – Jennifer from United Kingdom – 23 June 2025 (10/10)

  The communication from start to finish was amazing!! Couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay on our first visit to siena!! Everything about our stay was outstanding!
  
  What could be improved: There was nothing to dislike it was perfect

• Lovely place to stay. – Marie from United Kingdom – 12 June 2025 (10/10)

  It was very clean and comfortable and the owner was very friendly and very helpful. My room had high ceilings and was bright and airy and very quiet at night and it had plenty of sockets to charge your devices.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing.

• highly recommended place to stay for a city trip to Siena – Sebastian from United Kingdom – 10 June 2025 (10/10)

  very beautiful room with amazing view to the city, very helpful and friendly host, made-to-order breakfast on the room

• The loveliest b&b we have ever stayed at.super welcoming. Gorgeous room – Shannon from United Kingdom – 8 June 2025 (10/10)

  Lovely, local and clean. Lovely owner. Super comfy bed

• Location was perfect, walking distance to train station, car rental, piazza, restaurants. Nicolo was soo helpful with wh – Irene from United States – 8 June 2025 (10/10)

  Nicolo was so helpful
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Definitely recommend, great value – Daniel from United States – 5 June 2025 (10/10)

  Breakfast was excellent. It was the best breakfast we had in two weeks of traveling and it was delivered personally to your room. Niccolò was such a great host. He gave us so many recommendations that all turned out to be awesome, especially restaurants. Location was perfect too, no more than a 15 minute walk maximum to anywhere in the city but also on a quiet street. Would definitely stay there again.
  
  What could be improved: If you have trouble with stairs, this might not be the place for you. But then again the entire city would be difficult to navigate if this were the case.

• Niccolò is very helpful and informative about where to go in Siena. He booked a restaurant for us and we had such a good – John from Australia – 1 June 2025 (9/10)

  Location . The owner was so friendly and helpful.

• Absolutely lovely with the perfect host. – Jacqueline from United Kingdom – 16 May 2025 (10/10)

  Perfect location, spotless and comfortable with the most gorgeous breakfast delivered to our room. However the outstanding thing to note was our host Niccolò who simply couldn’t do enough for us – what a lovely guy. Highly recommend staying here if you’re off to Siena ♥️
  
  What could be improved: Nothing at all.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities