Hotel L'Antico Pozzo San Gimignano Residenza d'epoca in Toscana

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Without a doubt, San Gimignano is one of the most picturesque places in Tuscany: a postcard-perfect hilltop village punctuated by 14 tall towers. During the day, the town bustles with activity, but after the busloads of tourists depart, the romantic ambiance of yesteryear fills the cobbled streets. For the lucky few who spend the night, there is a jewel of small inn, the Hotel L’Antico Pozzo. What a pleasure to see a renovation with such excellent taste and meticulous attention to maintaining the authentic character of the original building. The name of the hotel derives from an antique stone well (pozzo), which is softly illuminated just off the lobby. The fact that only the most affluent families could afford the luxury of a private well indicates that this 15th-century townhouse was once a wealthy residence. A timeworn stone staircase leads up to the air conditioned bedrooms, tucked at various levels along a maze of hallways. Each one of the quietly elegant rooms has its own personality with thick stone walls, terracotta floors, and beautifully framed antique prints, plus satellite television. One of my favorites, number 20, has the palest of pastel-peach-colored walls, windows opening onto the terrace, and a fabulous domed ceiling painted with ancient Roman designs. Number 14 is also outstanding—a very large room with a canopy bed. Another advantage of L’Antico Pozzo is that this is a long time family-run hotel.

L’Antico Pozzo is the choicest inn within the walls, a 15th-century palazzo converted to a hotel in 1990 with careful attention to preserving the structural antiquity without sacrificing modern convenience (guests even have Internet access). The subdued elegance and comfort offer the most medieval-feeling experience in this most medieval of cities. Over the building’s colorful history it has hosted Dante, the Inquisition trials, a religious community, and an 18th-century salon. Accommodations vary in size and decor, but none is small, and the huge junior suites have large writing desks, wood ceilings, and spumanti waiting for you. Throughout, the furnishings are simple wooden 19th-century pieces, and the firm beds are surrounded by cast-iron frames — the junior suites come with canopies. “Superior” doubles have 17th-century ceiling frescoes and the smaller “standard” rooms on the third floor have wood floors and a view of the Rocca and a few towers, while other rooms look over the street or the rear terrace (where breakfast is served in summer).

Facilities:
Concierge; car-rental desk; computer w/Internet; room service; in-room massage; babysitting; laundry service; same-day dry cleaning

This hotel is located in the heart of San Gimignano, known as the “Medieval Manhattan” because of its ancient towers that rule the skyline. The hotel itself is loaded with history…read more

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