Hotel «Locanda Le Piazze»

We were a little disappointed with our stay here. To start with the positives, the accommodation had a lot of potential. There was a beautiful view from the restaurant and pool area and the breakfast offering was nice as well.

The main thing we found disappointing was the service. On the day we arrived we had driven several hours to get there and were completely exhausted and ready for some dinner. I had contacted the hotel prior about making a reservation for dinner, however they advised it was bistecca night and I said we had one vegetarian diner. They advised they were only serving the bistecca so couldn’t accommodate us but the bar had a lighter menu available. On arrival I asked again about how we could get something to eat and was told from the receptionist we could get something light to eat from the bar however no one was at the bar and the staff seemed very busy running around the restaurant area. I asked one of the staff about eating and was advised it wasn’t possible and the restaurant was booked out (even though they had spare seats). I said the reception had mentioned we could order something light at the bar area and they responded that it wasn’t possible. We were so exhausted from our travels we couldn’t face driving out again to try and find food so had to go to bed hungry.

The second night we were there we were advised the restaurant was closed but a smaller menu is available for inside guests. So we attempted again to get some dinner and were told we had to book in advance. We found this very confusing as why would guests think they needed to pre book a table if the restaurant was closed that day and only a light menu was available for inside guests?

The last night we finally dined at the restaurant and it was fine but even with only a few tables of people there, the staff always seemed to be running around stressed and busy.

We also attempted to just get a drink at the bar several times throughout our stay. I asked the lady upon check in what times it was open if we wanted to get a drink. She replied 24hrs which I was very surprised about as it’s only a small hotel. We attempted to visit and order a cocktail several times and mostly no one was around to take our order. Once we went searching for someone and a young lady came to make our order but she said the bartender wasn’t working that day and she struggled to complete the order. The bar seemed very inefficiently organised with staff needing to run back and forth to make a cocktail (out the back and to the dining area for what I think was sparkling water, outside to get mint as a garnish etc).

The pool area also had a bar and light menu however again, often there was no one there when we went down so we were very confused.

We also found it strange when we checked in that we were just taken to our room. I had to ask about where things were around the property and if they could show us where some of the things were, what time they were open etc.

Lastly, we paid for the executive patio suite which is the most expensive room at the hotel and our room was right next to the restaurant and pathway with people walking past and wasn’t very private. We also really had hardly any view from our room. The other patio suites that we saw seemed to have better views and were more private so I guess it was just bad luck for us. We had empty water jugs in the room when we checked in which we found strange and didn’t know if we were meant to take them somewhere ourselves to fill up or whether they’d just forgotten. There was no kettle in the room for tea etc.

Again, overall we just found the service not very welcoming here. The staff seemed busy even if there was only a few people around to serve. I think it’s a lovely property overall with great potential but the service was unfortunately the least welcoming we experienced in our travels through Italy.

Setting, decor, ambience, staff and delicious food

A fantastic location to discover the Chianti valley and Sienna. The hotel is really nicely decorated and relaxing with a fantastic view on the hills & vine fields. The bistrot is really good (book a table in any restaurant of the hotel). Castellina in Chianti and Radda are the closest villages on the Strada del Chianti with nice restaurants.