A restored 14th-century Carthusian monastery now operates as a five-star hotel just outside Siena’s medieval walls. Hotel Certosa di Maggiano combines cloister gardens, frescoed interiors, and a pet-friendly policy with modern amenities — a rare balance between heritage preservation and luxury hospitality. This review draws on the official property website, booking platforms, and neutral review aggregators to give you a fact-based portrait before you book.
Last checked: 2026-06-12
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Property name: Hotel Certosa di Maggiano (La Certosa di Maggiano) · Location: Siena, Tuscany, Italy · Former use: Carthusian monastery · Star rating: 5 stars · Distance to city center: 1.2 miles (1.9 km) from Piazza del Campo · Pet policy: Pet-friendly hotel
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-12.
Sources reviewed: official property website, Mr & Mrs Smith, MICHELIN Guide, Travel Weekly, Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Trip.com, TripAdvisor, Facebook page.
We did not conduct an on-site inspection, interview staff, or independently verify pricing or availability. All room counts and rates come from third‑party listings and may differ from direct booking.
Snapshot
- Originally a Carthusian monastery (certosa) dating to the 14th century – one of the oldest charterhouses in Tuscany (Mr & Mrs Smith).
- Converted into a hotel in 1975; last major renovation completed in 2010 (Travel Weekly).
- Pets welcome at €20 per pet per night; one‑pet limit per room; bowls and beds available on request (Expedia).
- Booking.com overall guest score: 9.5/10; breakfast rated 9.0/10 (Booking.com).
Stats at a glance – Distance from Piazza del Campo: 1.2 mi (1.9 km) – TripAdvisor rating (as of 2026): 4.5 out of 5 stars – Instagram followers: 17,000 @certosadimaggiano – Star rating: 5‑star, family‑friendly hotel.
What is the history of Hotel Certosa di Maggiano?
The building that now houses Hotel Certosa di Maggiano began as a Carthusian monastery — a certosa — in the 14th century. Travel Weekly notes that the charterhouse was constructed in 1314, with some 11th‑century ruins still present on the grounds. A separate listing on the same site gives a construction year of 1316, indicating a minor discrepancy among historical records.
In the 1970s the property became the home of artist Anna Ricordati, who hosted Italian film figures such as Monica Vitti and Alberto Sordi, according to the MICHELIN Guide. The monastery was converted into a hotel in 1975, repurposing the austere monastic courtyard for guest relaxation. A major renovation was completed in 2010.
What this means: The hotel’s physical fabric — vaulted ceilings, fresco fragments, cloister walkways — is original, not a reproduction. Guests sleep inside a building that has sheltered Carthusian monks, a mid‑century artist, and now international travellers.
What amenities does Hotel Certosa di Maggiano offer?
Hotel Certosa di Maggiano is a five‑star property, and the amenity set reflects that. According to MICHELIN Guide, the hotel provides a 24‑hour front desk, free parking, free Wi‑Fi, and a pet‑friendly policy. The outdoor swimming pool appears consistently across Booking.com, Expedia, and Hotels.com as a key feature.
Wellness services are extensive: Booking.com lists massages, beauty treatments (hair, nails, waxing, makeup), body treatments, light therapy, and spa packages. For active guests, the hotel has a tennis court, offers bicycle rental, and can arrange horseback riding and cycling tours. Cooking classes and cultural tours are also available, sometimes for an additional charge.
In‑room amenities include air conditioning, heating, wake‑up service, a desk, mini bar, and free internet. Meeting and business services — audiovisual equipment and business support — are available per Travel Weekly.
The bottom line: The amenity range is unusually broad for a property of just 22 rooms, covering relaxation, fitness, culture, and business needs.
Is breakfast included in the room rate?
Yes — both Mr & Mrs Smith and Travel Weekly state that a full breakfast is included in the room rate. The breakfast is served as a buffet with à la carte options. Booking.com guests rate it 9.0 out of 10, and the variety covers continental, Italian, Full English/Irish, vegetarian, vegan, gluten‑free, and American choices.
The implication: Breakfast is not a small add‑on; it’s a substantial meal that should satisfy most dietary preferences.
Are pets allowed at Hotel Certosa di Maggiano?
Hotel Certosa di Maggiano is explicitly pet‑friendly. Three independent sources — Expedia, Hotels.com, and Mr & Mrs Smith — agree on the key terms: one pet per room, a daily fee of €20 per pet, and service animals exempt from fees. Mr & Mrs Smith adds that dog beds, bowls, and toys can be provided on request. Trip.com advises guests to call ahead to confirm size restrictions or additional rules.
What to watch: The €20 daily fee is modest for a five‑star property, but the one‑pet limit may be a constraint for travellers with multiple animals.
What is the dining experience like at Hotel Certosa di Maggiano?
The on‑site dining consists of two main venues: La Certosa Restaurant, set in the cloisters, and La Limonaia, which overlooks the lawn. Booking.com lists the restaurant as “Restaurant #1” and describes it as serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The MICHELIN Guide characterises the cooking as traditional Tuscan with a modern touch, though we found no detailed menu from a primary source.
For dinner, guests can expect seasonal, regionally‑inspired dishes. Breakfast offerings are extensive, as noted above. Room service may be available — several OTAs mention it, but we did not verify directly with the hotel.
The pattern: The hotel’s dining strategy is to connect the meal to the setting — eating under the vaulted cloisters or on the lawn with views of Siena’s towers.
Can you host a wedding at Hotel Certosa di Maggiano?
Multiple sources treat Hotel Certosa di Maggiano as a wedding venue. The official website (lacertosadimaggiano.com) highlights wedding packages, and the property’s 22 room count — including 10 suites — suggests capacity for a small‑to‑medium sized guest list. The cloister gardens, Limonaia lawn, and panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside are naturally suited for ceremonies and receptions.
Mr & Mrs Smith notes that the hotel can arrange catered events and bespoke celebrations. No official capacity figures or package pricing appeared in our source set, so couples should contact the hotel directly for specific proposals.
Why this matters: For destination‑wedding planners, the combination of a historic monastery, on‑site accommodation for guests, and a pet‑friendly policy makes this a distinctive option in Tuscany.
What common areas are available at La Certosa di Maggiano?
Guests can explore low‑lit cloisters, a lawn‑side Limonaia (the former lemon house), and multiple sitting areas with views over Siena and the surrounding countryside, as described by Mr & Mrs Smith. The MICHELIN Guide mentions original frescoes, vaulted ceilings, and patterned wallpaper in the public spaces. The outdoor swimming pool and tennis court add to the common‑area offerings.
The hotel’s gardens are frequently praised in TripAdvisor reviews for their tranquility and beauty. Booking.com reviewers describe the countryside views as “breathtaking”.
The catch: Because the building is a former monastery, some common areas are small and intimate rather than grand ballroom‑style — a trade‑off that suits guests seeking quiet charm over imposing scale.
Specifications at a glance
| Property name | Hotel Certosa di Maggiano (La Certosa di Maggiano) |
| Location | Strada di Certosa 82/86, 53100 Siena, Tuscany, Italy |
| Former use | Carthusian monastery |
| Star rating | 5 stars |
| Distance to city centre | 1.2 miles (1.9 km) from Piazza del Campo |
| Number of rooms | 22 rooms including 10 suites (some sources list 19) |
| Pet policy | Pet‑friendly; €20/pet/night, one pet per room |
| Amenities include | Air conditioning, heating, wake‑up service, desk, mini bar, free Wi‑Fi, gardens, outdoor pool, tennis court, spa, restaurant |
| Check‑in / check‑out | 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM (flexible on request) |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Authentic historic setting – original 14th‑century monastery architecture.
- Strong breakfast inclusion with high guest ratings (9.0/10).
- Pet‑friendly with clear, reasonable fees.
- Broad amenity set for a small hotel: pool, tennis, spa, cultural activities.
- Close enough to Siena to walk (30 min) yet secluded in the countryside.
Cons
- Room count varies by source (19–22), suggesting some uncertainty about inventory.
- No detailed pricing for weddings or private events in publicly available sources.
- One‑pet limit may not suit households with multiple animals.
Best for these traveller types
- Couples seeking romantic settings – Cloister gardens, frescoed interiors, and countryside views create an intimate atmosphere.
- Families looking for pet‑friendly stays – Clear pet policy and on‑site activities (pool, tennis, bike rental) suit active families.
- Wedding planners searching for venues – The monastery backdrop and 10 suites provide a compact but memorable destination‑wedding package.
- Culture enthusiasts interested in monastery history – The building’s Carthusian roots and 1970s artist period offer a layered story.
Price band (qualitative)
Travel Weekly lists standard rooms from approximately USD 382 to USD 681 per night and suites from about USD 774 per night. Because rates vary seasonally and by booking channel, we describe the band as upper‑upscale. Breakfast is included, which adds tangible value. The pet fee (€20/night) is modest for the segment.
Location and getting there
The hotel sits on Strada di Certosa, about 2 km outside Siena’s ancient walls. According to Travel Weekly, it is roughly a 30‑minute walk to Piazza del Campo. Booking.com gives the straight‑line distance as 1.1 miles (1.8 km) but notes that actual travel distance may be slightly longer.
By car, Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport is just over an hour away. Mr & Mrs Smith reports that the property can arrange one‑way transfers from around €290. For those arriving by train, Siena’s main station (Siena‑Gavinurra) is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the hotel — a short taxi ride.
Alternatives in the area
If the Certosa is unavailable or doesn’t fit your needs, consider these nearby properties that share a similar historic‑luxury profile:
- Grand Hotel Nanaimo (review) – Another deep‑dive on a historic property with detailed review‑and‑policy coverage.
- Hotel Mamounia Marrakech (review) – A luxury landmark hotel in a historic building, comparable in ambiance and service level.
Our pick: Hotel Certosa di Maggiano
For travellers who prioritise historic ambiance, romantic seclusion, and pet‑friendly luxury, Hotel Certosa di Maggiano is a compelling choice. Its 14th‑century monastery architecture is not a set‑dressing — it’s the actual building, with frescoes, vaults, and cloisters intact. The inclusion of a high‑scoring breakfast, clear pet policy, and broad amenity set make it a practical as well as atmospheric stay. The main trade‑offs are the modest room count (which keeps it intimate but may limit availability) and the absence of published pricing for weddings. We recommend booking directly or through a reputable OTA to confirm the best rate and room type for your dates.
Sample one‑day itinerary
- Morning – Buffet breakfast in the cloisters or La Limonaia. Afterwards, explore the gardens and take the 30‑minute walk to Siena’s Piazza del Campo.
- Afternoon – Return to the hotel for a swim or a tennis match. Book a massage or beauty treatment at the spa.
- Evening – Dinner at La Certosa Restaurant, followed by a drink on the lawn overlooking the illuminated city of Siena.
Timeline of key developments
- 1314–1316 – Construction of the original Carthusian charterhouse.
- 1970s – Property used as home by artist Anna Ricordati; hosted Monica Vitti, Alberto Sordi.
- 1975 – Converted into a hotel.
- 2010 – Last major renovation completed.
Travelers drawn to the history of former monasteries will appreciate other converted monastery hotels in Italy along the Italian coast.
Frequently asked questions
What is the history of Hotel Certosa di Maggiano?
The hotel occupies a 14th‑century Carthusian monastery that was converted in 1975. After serving as the home of artist Anna Ricordati in the 1970s, it became a hotel and underwent a major renovation in 2010.
What amenities does Hotel Certosa di Maggiano offer?
Amenities include free Wi‑Fi, free parking, an outdoor pool, tennis court, spa services (massages, beauty treatments), air conditioning, mini bar, and business support. Cooking classes and bike tours can be arranged.
Is breakfast included in the room rate?
Yes. A buffet breakfast with à la carte options is included. Guest rating on Booking.com is 9.0 out of 10, and choices cover continental, Italian, Full English/Irish, vegetarian, vegan, gluten‑free, and American styles.
Is Hotel Certosa di Maggiano pet‑friendly?
Yes. Pets are welcome at €20 per pet per night, with a one‑pet limit per room. Service animals stay free. Bowls, beds, and toys are available on request.
How far is Hotel Certosa di Maggiano from Siena city centre?
It is about 1.2 miles (1.9 km) from Piazza del Campo — a 30‑minute walk or a short taxi ride.
Can you host a wedding at Hotel Certosa di Maggiano?
Yes. The hotel offers wedding packages for small‑to‑medium guest lists. The cloister gardens, Limonaia lawn, and countryside views serve as backdrops. Contact the hotel directly for capacity and pricing.
What common areas are available at La Certosa di Maggiano?
Guests have access to low‑lit cloisters, a lawn‑side Limonaia, gardens, an outdoor pool, tennis court, and multiple sitting areas with frescoes and vaulted ceilings.