Vecchio Asilo - San Gimignano, Italy 

I actually booked this hotel after reading all the earlier reviews and I am so happy I did. It was our honeymoon and from reading how nice and helpful Guido was, I wanted to make sure our stay in Tuscany would be pleasant. The past reviews don't do the Hotel or Guido justice. He is the nicest, most helpful guy ever. He booked our Chianti wine tour, he gave us maps to the nearby local towns, recommended restaurants, gave us tips on how to find good, free parking and he made the most delicious breakfasts each morning. Those freshly baked cakes were divine. We booked way in advance and so we were able to get the corner room with the view of the beautiful Tuscan vineyards on the first floor. We had went on a Perillo Tour and stayed at many different hotels throughout Italy from Milan to Sorrento prior to venturing on our own through Tuscany and the accommodations at Hotel Asilo proved better than all those hotels. The hotels were nice but were not nearly as comfortable, peaceful or refreshing. Beds and pillows were soft and new, bathroom big with more of the American comforts we're used to...like a nice toilet seat and a shower curtain for one! The water and refreshments Guido made available for sale were cheaper than you'd find in the local supermarkets and proved to be quite convenient especially at the beginning and end of each day. Also! Just in case you are still deciding where to stay in Tuscany, San Gimignano is a smaller, cleaner, less expensive version of Siena but still centrally located. Close to Chianti wine country, close to Siena and all the other little hill towns. Hotel Asilo is actually located in the small town of Ulignano, within a few minutes drive away from the actual hill town of San Gimignano. Last but not least, you MUST eat at the one and only restaurant in Ulignano. Within walking distance, ZAGHE E DOICCE serves up delicious homestyle Italian cooking that my new husband still misses. It was so reasonably priced with big portions we ate there twice for dinner.

We had a 4 week holiday in Italy throughout June 2008 and this hotel had to be the highlight of it all. Guido and Mama are the perfect hosts, warm, welcoming, funny and more attentive than we've experienced ever before. Our bedroom was lovely and clean with fresh flowers and crisp clean linen - nothing was overlooked. Guido couldn't have been friendlier and his home baked cakes at breakfast every morning were delicious. A must if you want to stay in Tuscany!!