We made the reservation on line a day ahead for a standard room for one night. After we got there we asked to see what else they might have available.....that room would have been fine for the price, but we thought we would stay 2 nights, so he showed us a superior room and the single junior suite. Based on our staying 2 nights, he offered us a good rate on all the rooms. So we took the junior suite as a spurge, and we loved the bright, spacious room, the views, the hotel, and the area including and surrounding Cortona so much that we stayed for 3 nights. The hotel has recently been refurbished, and though it certainly retains it's charm, there are many updated features including a lovely bathroom. The staff was very friendly and very helpful in many ways, including making restaurant recommendations and reservations. The breakfast is quite nice, served in a cheery room on the top floor with beautiful views. We would definitely go back!

My wife and I just returned from a wonderful two week trip in Italy. Along the way, we decided to book this hotel using TripAdvisor recommendations. We called and reserved one night. A few days later, our plans changed, and we called to ask them if we could cancel the reservation without a fee. Francesco asked us if we had read the cancellation policy over email, but we told them we had not because we didn't have email (we were staying at a farmhouse in Tuscany that didn't have internet or phone - we had to drive to the front desk building to use their phone). Francesco said "OK, we normally don't allow cancellations without a fee, but we will not charge you a fee for your cancellation, and we hope you visit us in the future." We said thank you, and thought that was the end of it.

We were wrong. A few days later, Francesco emailed us a bill for 97 euros (about $125) as our cancellation fee. I emailed him back, reminding him that over the phone he agreed that there was no cancellation fee, and thus I thought he sent me the bill in error. Francesco, and then the manager Maurizio Arena replied, and bizarrely still want to charge us. They say that because they sent the cancellation policy by email that they had decided to charge us for the night. They told us that it was our duty to tell them if we did not have access to email.

So let me get this straight: we call to cancel a reservation, they tell us there will be no fee, then a few days later they change their minds and try to charge us $125? Umm, there's a word for that. It's called fraud.

In an email to me, they wrote "Francesco told the lady that Mr. Mouat should pay the room due the cancellation policy but before we will do it we wiil wait the date of check-in, just in case Mr. Mouat change is decision." No, actually, that is the opposite of what happened. Francesco said that he would not charge the cancellation fee. Now they are trying to rewrite history and that pisses me off.

This place is bizarre. I would be very wary in dealing with them, and scrutinize your bills after the fact.

We stayed here for a single night in Cortona in August. The best things about this hotel are the location, the staff, and the bathrooms. First, the location is outstanding, just a few meters from the main square in Cortona and even more important, not too far from one of the outlying parking lots outside the walls (parking is free). Once you park, you have to haul your gear up a pretty significant hill but while steep, it's a pretty short walk - 5-10 minutes.

Inside the hotel the staff is very friendly with recommendations and assistance. Our actual room was pretty small by American standards, but the bathroom was large. Large shower, large bathroom and two sinks. Also, the A/C was very strong. Very little in the way of storage or TV.

I paid 135 euros, which is pretty high for August, but the location was worth it. The leather store in the Cortona square has great stuff and the guy there will deal. The larger enotecca in the square there offers quintessential wine snobs. Avoid. Instead, just sit in the square in front of the leather store and drink a beer from the corner cafe. Also recommend La Buccacia as a restaurant, just a few meters down hill from the hotel.

Free wi-fi in lobby, but none in rooms. Average breakfast, but above average views from the breakfast room. I would spend an extended period of time in Cortona and stay here.

I was in Cortona with my parents-in-law while my husband was just outside the city at another hotel for a meeting. Hotel Italia was a wonderful place to stay. Just off the main square but down a side street that was quiet in the evening.

Maurizio checked us in & gave us many details about the history of the hotel. He proceeded to book cabs, help us determine best ways to take day trips, and went out of his way to fax a needed copy of a passport to our hotel in Rome once we left. A beautiful wifi-equipped lobby with a side room with tables, chairs, and a small shelf full of books to share. Beautiful lighting in rooms with comfortable beds and good AC in summer (ensure to turn it on again when it cuts off at night or leave windows open). Great shower pressure. Clean hallways with a light smell of cinnamon.

And the breakfast was wonderful! It was on the fourth floor with views overlooking Tuscany. We lingered each morning to look out over the city. Francesco helped with breakfast each morning. He helped me plan a running route to Eremo Le Celle, gave us much information about the area, and served us coffee/juice as we selected items from the buffet (prosciutto, cheese, breads, pastries, yogurt, cereals).

This was a beautiful home with incredibly helpful staff in a charming city. If I'm lucky enough to return, I'd stay here again.

Note that if you arrive in Camucia-Cortona on a Sunday, take the number of a cab with you. We did not find a place open to buy bus tickets. Luckily, Alessio, who runs a cab service with his father, was driving up the street as we were lugging our bags trying to find an open Tabbachi!