Locanda di San Francesco

In the heart of wine-fabled Montepulciano, a converted medieval oratorio with 4 elegant rooms and views to die for

The views from this charming locanda are exactly what you want of a Renaissance hilltown: terracotta roofs, minaret chimneys, crumbling sandstone, sun-faded green and ochre paintwork, narrow lanes zig-zagging down to a patchwork of undulating fields studded with cypress trees. You can just see the lakes (Trasimeno, Chiusi and Montepulciano) in the distance. And the windows you look through are cut into the thick stonework of the ancient city walls.

Attached to the 14th century church of San Francesco in the piazza of the same name, the building was once the seat and chapel of the Misericordia of Montepulciano. After years of neglect, it has been carefully restored by owners Cinzia Caporali and Luca De Nicolò, who also run the wine bar-bistro downstairs. There are just 4 spacious rooms, all overlooking the Val d’Orcia, the Val di Chiana, or both. Cross the piazza and you can look down on the dome of the church of San Biagio. Listen to the bells of the Palazzo Communale; smell the history. Medieval Tuscany is on your doorstep.

Highs

• Above a wine bar, in an ancient church building, in the oldest, sunniest corner of Montepulciano? Beat that for location
• You can ditch the car – at least for a day or two
• Stunning views from the rooms - all overlook Val d’Orcia or the Val di Chiana
• Cinzia and Luca are warm, hospitable hosts (Cinzia speaks excellent English)

Lows

• There is no outside space – not unless you count the piazza and the wine-bar terrace
• With only 4 rooms, you need to book well in advance in high season