Relais Villa Valentini

The place is located in San Venanzo - best reached by going through Marsciano i.e. using the E45 (turn off at the Valdechiana exit on the A1 when coming from the north and the Orte exit when coming from the south) - an unremarkable yet typical Umbrian country town. No tourist trap here, just regular folk pursuing their daily life. That in itself can be interesting, actually, if you have enough of the circus in all the touristy places. With 150 km from Rome, it is not suitable as a base for Rome excursions. Use it as an overnight stay cruising through Italy, or as a base for exploring places like Orvieto or Perugia. The hotel itself is more than just fine. Unassuming staff, very solid build, quiet, nice little outdoor pool, plenty of cozy feeling, lots of privacy in a charming antique-esque but not overstyled environment. Little things stand between this hotel and perfection: a hair here or there on the floor, curtains too thin to keep out the morning sun, no fly screen to keep away mozzies. Yet, basic cleanliness is very good, the bed stuff and towels impeccably clean. The breakfast was a bit boring, but also not really bad either. Not enough selection, sad little plastic cups for the juice, just rather average. But not bad. For the price I paid it was just fine.