Siena is notorious for its dearth of decent hotels in the centre of town, so we were delighted to see that Palazzo Ravizza has undergone a facelift and is now a very pleasant place in which to stay. Fortunately, the old-fashioned, slightly faded charm has not been sacrificed to modernization. The bedrooms still have their heavy at times quirky period furniture and polished parquet or terracotta floors, but the fabrics have been smartened up and bathrooms are all shining new with heated towel rails. Some even have double Jacuzzis.
Downstairs, the public rooms (in part with smart black and white floor tiles) have pretty painted ceilings and comfortable armchairs and sofas. There is a cosy library, as well as a smart new bar and an elegantly-appointed (now independent) restaurant; the obligatory half board in high season rule no longer applies.
The garden at the back is a great asset and has recently been re-designed in formal Italian style: it provides a cool and shady respite from the city heat, and tables are laid outside for breakfast and dinner in the summer.