Alma Domus Reviews and Photos (Siena, Italy)

Siena @ €48 per night in a Refurbished Medieval Building

Cambridge, Massachusetts

June 6, 2013

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Best of IgoUgo In May, having availed myself of the affordable accommodations at religious institutions in other Italian cities, my search for something similar in Siena brought me to the Alma Domus Hotel, affiliated with the adjacent House and Sanctuary of St ...Read more In May, having availed myself of the affordable accommodations at religious institutions in other Italian cities, my search for something similar in Siena brought me to the Alma Domus Hotel, affiliated with the adjacent House and Sanctuary of St Catherine of Siena.

Single accommodations were a modest €48 per night.

It is housed in a medieval red brick building (early 1300's) which was transformed into a hotel in 1976. Its interior was completely renovated without sacrificing its original facade which, for me, adds to the appeal.
The building stands on a slope, therefore the hotel's true height is only appreciated from afar.
As for the interior, it is immaculate, as one might expect. The rooms are large with high ceilings and all are in perfect condition.
My single room came with a private bath (toilet and shower). I booked several months in advance and asked for a room with a view. I am very pleased I did.
My comfortable room had a window balcony with an impressive view of Siena which included the magnificent Duomo standing on a hill opposite the Alma Domus.
At night, with lights shining on the Duomo's steeples and dome, it was a beautiful sight and a perfect end to a busy day of sightseeing.

As mentioned above, my single room cost a modest €48 per night and this included complimentary continental breakfast, VAT and services.
There is, however, a separate charge for the city tourist tax of €2,50 per nightper person. This now appears to be standard throughout Italy.
The complimentary continental breakfast is served in an attractive dining room and included a variety of breads, pastries, cereals and beverages, both hot and cold.
There is a large sitting room/music room with handsome furnishings and paintings. In one corner, there is a small PC work station with two laptops. The usage price is €1 for one hour. I found it a great convenience and used it on several occasions.

I arrived in Siena by train. To get transportation up the hills and into the city, one crosses over the street/walkway to a new. large shopping mall from which there is frequent bus service on the lower level.
At least two buses have drop-offs close to the Alma Domus. These are Bus N°9 and Bus N°10. These will take you to either the Piazza Gramsci, or Via Tozzi, at which point the hotel is a only a short walk in the direction of the Basilica of San Domenico, also known as the Basilica Cateriniana Domenico, in the Piazza San Domenico. Directional signs abound making it difficult to get lost.
The Basilica of San Domenic, which dates from the mid-1220's, is an imposing, red brick gothic structure, which is visible from a great distance. Since it also holds some of the remains of St Catherine of Siena, it draws many visitors and it is referred to using the names of both saints.
One of the intriguing features of the Hotel Alma Domus is its location. It is (was) built on a slope. The result is that the "street" from which one enters the hotel is actually an elongated brick staircase. The hotel itself, however, is only a few steps down from the top, so the trip up or down was not arduous, even with luggage.
This smaller Via Camporegio appears to be an offshoot of the main street by that name which runs above it.
Once at the top, on the larger Via Camporegio, you are greeted by a very pleasant and relaxing restaurant with an outdoor cafe, the Pizzeria-Ristorante di Nonno Mede. The outdoor cafe portion, only minutes from the Alma Domus, offers a wide view of the hills of Siena, the Duomo as well as the Campanile in Il Campo making it a delightful place for food and drink. It is worth visiting.

I strongly recommend the Alma Domus both for its comfort as well as its very reasonable price. Close

Going Back for More

by On the road with Larry

Chicago, Illinois

May 31, 2008

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In 2007 I visited the Alma Domus with a group of friends. We were only able to stay for one night. This September (2008) I will return on my own to stay longer. I loved everything about the Alma Domus, especially the view from my window. It is ...Read more

Alma Domus

by aku

--

October 7, 2000

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Best of IgoUgo Alma Domus is a modest hostel run by nuns of the same order of Siena's famous St. Catherine. My first visit to the hostel was by chance, when we arrived in Siena without reservations and happened upon Alma Domus after finding no vacancies elsewhere. ...Read more

From journal Retreat with St. Catherine

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Siena @ €48 per night in a Refurbished Medieval Building

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