Hotel La Perla
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.
Ristorante Al Mangia
Italy is known to be the queen of all good food and that’s where Ristorante Al Mangia lives up to the hyped status. Its food is something I’ve been dreaming and craving about since my last visit and I’m keen to go back and eat its fresh pasta once more. The menu is varied with classic pasta dishes, meat dishes and specialty desserts.
The Tuscan cuisine has a real focus on hearty, traditional and wholesome dishes, with a big love for meat, soups and fresh vegetables. It’s similar to the Emilia Romana region in the sense of its freshness of food and real take on meat dishes. The most popular dishes in Tuscany are Bistecca, T-bone steak served on raging hot coals, bean soups such as acquacotta, lasagne bastarde, pasta made out of chestnut powder (chestnuts are used heavily for cooking in the region) and Picci All’aglione, which consists of Picci pasta (famous pasta from Siena) in a classic tomato and garlic sauce. Tuscans are also known to have a massive sweet tooth and particularly love dense cakes such as the Panforte.
The restaurant is the most famous in all of Siena for good reason, bridging the past and present together, with its name deriving from the first bell ringer of Torre del Mangia. Giovanni Ducci had a habit of spending all of his money on food and wine and earned two nicknames “Mangiaguadagni” (The Money-eater) or “Il Mangia” (The Eater). Seriously, what’s wrong with spending money on good food and wine?!
Medieval Tuscan cuisine has a similar premise of the food served today utilising local ingredients and as time went on, the cuisine evolved with more spices and flavours added to the mix. A typical meal in those times would have been Pasticcio alla fiorentina, a sweet crust pie with macaroni and meat sauce.
The restaurant’s ragu-style pasta, which derives in Emilia Romagna rather than Tuscany, created a party for my tastebuds with delicious wine (a classic Pinot Grigio) and a chocolate dessert, a small rich chocolate cake, Torta Pistocchi with gelato to accompany that. Tuscany desserts are focused on rich cakes such as Panfortedi Siena or Castagnaccio with all kinds of spices and flavours, similar to Emilia Romagna who are known for the Barozzi and Spongatadi Natale, both heavy cakes. I didn’t really know what to expect of the restaurant when I arrived, as it was tucked away around the corner from Piazza del Campo. I had my reservations about what it would be like, considering it was in the busiest part of the city but it exceeded my expectations in every way. I loved how it was a part of the bustle and the joy that makes up Siena.
I sat inside but I could feel that ambiance seep through the windows and enter the restaurant. The interior was also quite small and charming, it held the authenticity of a tiny and traditional Italian restaurant, one of love and pride. The decoration included photos on the wall showcasing the restaurant’s history and where it started and by sitting there, I felt part of that history somehow, like I was adding to the growth and keeping the restaurant open and the name alive. As I looked around, I could see other diners who felt the same; they liked being at a restaurant that meant so much to the city, to the owners, and to the many travellers that have walked through the doors. I had a feeling that the significance of its history was felt by many of the locals, as they saw the restaurant increase in popularity as the decades went on.
The overall experience of the restaurant made it worth the visit, it wasn’t just the incredible food, but the whole ambiance of the bustle, authenticity, and love that went into what I was eating and where I was sitting. I’d love to return in the summer months and dine outside to get the full experience of the Piazza del Campo lightning up under the summer night sky, with other tourists and locals alike eating bowls of pasta and glasses full of the finest wines. It’s a restaurant I could easily have spent hours at, admiring the view of the piazza, deep into the night and watch as the crowds disperse and silence floats through the once busy streets.
The waiter also left a print on my heart when he spoke to me as I dined. I could tell the passion he felt about the restaurant and the food that was lovingly made. I could have listened for days with his Italian accent, friendly smile, and welcoming charm.
