La Collegiata
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Hotel Details
Location
La Collegiata · San Gimignano, Italy
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Key Highlights
- ✓La Collegiata in San Gimignano, Italy, a Michelin Key Selected property, is highly regarded by guests for its serene Tuscan charm, exceptional service, and stunning location.
- ✓Guests frequently highlight the hotel's beautiful grounds, outstanding service, and the authentic Tuscan ambiance.
- ✓Breakfast Repetition: For longer stays, some guests have mentioned that the breakfast options, though excellent, can become a "little boring after some time" due to limited variety.
Expert Review: La Collegiata
La Collegiata in San Gimignano, Italy, a Michelin Key Selected property, is highly regarded by guests for its serene Tuscan charm, exceptional service, and stunning location.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
La Collegiata consistently receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, boasting an impressive overall rating of 8.9 and 9.2, often described as "wonderful" and "excellent" by guests. The general sentiment is that of a delightful and memorable stay, with many guests praising it as a hidden gem offering an unforgettable experience.
2. Key Highlights
Guests frequently highlight the hotel's beautiful grounds, outstanding service, and the authentic Tuscan ambiance.
- Service & Staff: The staff is universally praised for being "exceptionally friendly, helpful, and attentive," often going "above and beyond" to ensure a pleasant stay. Individual team members like Stefano, Erica, Christina, Anna, and Marie Rosa are frequently mentioned for their professionalism, accommodating nature, and excellent recommendations.
- Location & Grounds: The hotel's setting in a former 1587 monastery is a major draw, surrounded by "old stone buildings and manicured gardens" and a park of cypress-covered slopes. It offers "stunning views of the town and the surrounding Tuscan hills," including the medieval skyline of San Gimignano.
- Design & Ambiance: La Collegiata exudes an "old-school rural Italian" charm with a "lost-in-time" feel, reflecting a "florid, antique style" that replaced the monastic austerity. It's noted for its timeless beauty rather than avant-garde design.
- Amenities: Key amenities include a beautiful outdoor swimming pool with loungers and a bar area, a Jacuzzi, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Free self-parking is also a significant convenience for guests. The property also features a serene garden, a poolside bar, and a rooftop terrace. Pets are welcome upon request.
3. Room Quality
The hotel features 20 rooms and one suite, designed with a rustic charm and an antique style. Rooms are individually furnished and reflect the style of Sienese Renaissance palaces, offering comforts such as blackout drapes, turndown service, bathrobes, a minibar, and custom decor. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, ensuring a comfortable stay. Top-floor rooms provide views of San Gimignano's iconic towers. Room sizes vary, including Standard Double (20 sq m), Superior Double (23 sq m), Deluxe Double (25 sq m), and a Master Suite - Tower (40 sq m), all featuring a King Bed.
4. Dining Experience
The dining experience at La Collegiata is generally highly praised, especially for its breakfast.
- Breakfast: Guests consistently rate the complimentary buffet breakfast as "amazing" and "some of the best" they've experienced. It includes genuine and local products, seasonal, sweet, and savory options, along with fresh fruits, juices, and freshly squeezed juices. Breakfast is served from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM and can be enjoyed in the garden during fine weather. Options include Continental, Italian, Vegetarian, and Gluten-free choices.
- Other Meals: While the property does not have a full-service restaurant for dinner, it offers light lunches by the pool and early evening snacks at the hotel's bar. The L'Eco Divino, derived from the former monastery church, provides light lunch and dinner options, with a terrace overlooking San Gimignano available in summer. A wine bar is also available for guests to enjoy selected Tuscan wines, coffee, cocktails, and aperitifs.
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff at La Collegiata are a significant highlight, frequently described as "incredible" and a major factor in guests' positive experiences. Reviewers consistently praise the team for being "exceptionally friendly, helpful, and attentive," often highlighting their willingness to "go above and beyond" to assist guests with recommendations and general hospitality. The staff is known for being professional and accommodating, making guests feel welcome and well-cared for.
6. Location & Accessibility
La Collegiata enjoys a prime location just outside San Gimignano, offering "stunning views" of the town and the Tuscan countryside. It's a quick 7-10 minute drive to the city center, making it an ideal base for exploring the region. While some guests enjoy the approximate 20-25 minute uphill walk to San Gimignano, many find it less convenient or not truly walkable, especially given the lack of sidewalks. The hotel provides ample free on-site parking, which is a significant advantage. However, it is strongly advised to have a vehicle, as taxi services to and from the town can be "excessively expensive," with short trips costing between 20 to 40 euros. The nearest train station, Poggibonsi, is 9 miles (14 km) away.
7. Value & Pricing
La Collegiata is considered to offer "exceptional value for money". While the average price per room is around $330, another source indicates an average of $159/night, with deals sometimes starting from $135/night. This is compared to an average city price of $177, suggesting that while it can be more expensive, guests feel the luxurious stay and impeccable service justify the cost. A city tax of EUR 3.50 per person, per night, for up to 5 nights, is applied seasonally.
8. Common Complaints
While largely positive, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted by guests:
- Dining Limitations: The absence of a full dinner restaurant on-site is a common point of feedback, with some wishing for more comprehensive dining options in the evenings.
- Breakfast Repetition: For longer stays, some guests have mentioned that the breakfast options, though excellent, can become a "little boring after some time" due to limited variety.
- Room Amenities: A few guests have noted the absence of a coffee or tea maker in their rooms, despite it sometimes being advertised. Additionally, coffee is generally not available before the 8:00 AM breakfast service. One review also reported a room lacking air conditioning, leading to mosquito issues when windows were open.
- Pool Maintenance: One review indicated the pool "needed a bit of TLC."
- Service Consistency: A minority of guests reported instances of staff appearing "distracted" or having difficulties with early check-in or late check-out requests, even when the hotel seemed to have capacity.
- Taxi Costs: The high cost and inconvenience of taxi services to San Gimignano town are a notable point of frustration for those without a car.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While largely positive, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted by guests:
Google Reviews
137 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
KETEVAN GACHECHILADZE
This hotel in Tuscany is truly one of a kind — a hidden gem that feels like stepping into a fairytale. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed by the warmest and most attentive staff, who genuinely make you feel cared for in every detail. The views are absolutely breathtaking, with rolling Tuscan hills stretching as far as the eye can see, creating the perfect backdrop for relaxation and insp...
Rosalina Jaghnoun
It was a memorable stay! The resort is quiet, clean, cozy and royal and historical. It was a monastery 500 years ago. The view from the gardens is stunning! The staff is very nice, friendly and professional! I would definitely go back in the future!
TravelDoc Safi
Beautiful property and friendly staff. We stayed here for 6 nights with our 3 month old. The staff is very accommodating and friendly. Breakfast was great but the same options for 6 days got a little boring after some time. Also for food after hours you have to drive to town. One suggestion I would make is to add a coffee or tea maker in the room. It was advertised as the rooms have one but they d...
Clinton Otwell
When I win the lottery, I’m just going to move in as a permanent guest and live there. The place and the staff were so amazing. There are just not words to describe the views of San Gimignano. The food was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast and the wonderful woman who served us every day. Stefano was the person who made our omelette. He was also amazing.
Caitlin Zavist
Literally one of the best experiences of my life. Staying at La Collegiata was like being taken back in time, but with all the modern luxuries! The grounds and décor are beautiful. I think about the breakfast and pool once a week since our stay in June 2025. The area is quiet and a quick drive to town. We also easily visited Florence (with a car) and were happy to come back to the peace and quiet ...
Barry O'Gorman
Lovely hotel, lovely friendly atmosphere. Pool is great. Breakfast top class. Only pain is the 'rip off' 2.5km taxi fare to San Gimignano: Euro20 ( or Euro 30 late at night). But otherwise stringly recommend.
