Located only a two-minute walk from Piazza Il Campo, my stay at Hotel La Perla was the perfect addition to exploring Siena. Its central location on Ville delle Terme meant all the famous sights and eateries were only a short walk away and I was in the midst of the city action.

From the outside, the hotel had an old-school appeal with a medieval look, showcasing its history as the 13th-century building that it is. Tucked away from the winding streets, it wasn’t too obvious to discover. But, when the large wooden doors open, a more modern interior is introduced with accents of Italian design from the 20th century. The room itself had a complete modern appeal with geometric wallpaper, slate-looking floors, and wooden furnishing, but the slight old-school wooden window panes remained, which I loved. The bed was a double, with a light wooden headboard and pristine white covers, sitting under the view of the city. I loved the view of my room, as every morning, I could peek out and see the never-ending sights of Siena’s classic medieval buildings and locals, strolling around, kick starting their day. The bathroom had the same modern appeal with a small shower, tucked away in the corner that did the job.

In a city, accessibility is key as I always prefer to be in the midst of the action so I can pop back to my room if needed, whether that’s if I’ve forgotten something or need a change of clothes – and that’s why this hotel fitted my needs perfectly.

In terms of pricing, the hotel is in the slightly cheaper category considering its location and quality of accommodation. It’s around £60 a night in the off-season but with its modern design, centre location, and traditional exterior, I would think the price tag would be a lot more during the busier periods. Siena is growing in popularity and that means accommodation is really easy to find, depending on what you’re looking for. There are pricier options and cheaper options too if you’re on a lower budget, something for the backpacker or those who prefer a place that is slightly more refined.

My favourite thing about the hotel, aside from the dreamy central location was that it felt more luxurious than the price tag with an up-to-date room, charming owners who were so kind to me during my stay, making me feel at home, and the lingering scent of the bakery nearby every morning. I can’t remember their names but their warm smiles and energy is something that will always sit with me. Meeting locals always gives a taste of what the people are like as a whole in a new place, and the kindness of the Sienese people, showed the differentiation to locals in wealthier places. Those locals tend not to be as over-welcoming like the Siena hotels owners did. The owners would greet me with suggestions on what to do in the city and always asked how I was doing.

The hotel didn’t include breakfast, however, with the many family-owned bakeries, I was able to grab a pastry on the go before my day began. Caffe Independenza was a few doors down and served the classic Italian pastries that I adored, and an easy spot to start the day each morning. I also loved stepping out of the hotel every day as I went from a completely modern environment to the authentic and traditional appeal of the city with its cobbled streets and endless terracotta buildings. If you’re looking for a budget to a mid-range hotel that has a modern edge with a central location in Siena, this is for you. I would definitely return here when I head back to the city.