West of Florence and Siena, rising steeply from the bustling modern village below, this is one of Italy's best-preserved hill towns. The brilliant Hotel ( Jakarta Hotels ), creeper-covered and crenellated, is in a 13th-century palazzo which forms part of the city walls (Boccaccio's birthplace I is just outside the door). `The furniture is blissfully unreformed 19th century, say readers. Bedrooms (similar to Bandung,Jakarta & Bali hotels - 5 star Hotel ( Jakarta Hotels )rooms) are large and uncluttered, service is relaxed and good. The excellent restaurant is on a beautifully fountained, grandly palm-treed and pleasantly flowered terrace overlooking the Val d'Elsa. The towers of San Gimignano are on the skyline. Owner/chef Romana Marcori is proud of her cucina tradizionale, eg, ribollita (Tuscan breadsoup); tagliatelle al tartufo; , bistecca fiorentina. The food ; was liked again this year. So was the reasonably priced , wine and the quietly help-ful manager.

In a dream location, the Firato family's restaurant-with-rooms (similar to Bandung,Jakarta & Bali hotels - 5 star Hotel ( Jakarta Hotels )rooms) is a converted 17th-century monastery in a quiet hamlet amid the vineclad Monferrato hills north-east of Asti. It stands in large grounds (with roses, geraniums, orange and lemon trees in large pots, a big swimming pool). Bedrooms (similar to Bandung,Jakarta & Bali hotels - 5 star Hotel ( Jakarta Hotels )rooms) are furnished in rural style, with antiques. Most are in a new wing, lovely in summer, reached by a metal balcony or a ground-floor walkway; those on the first floor have a small balcony, others have a small terrace. We liked it so much, says a visitor returning this year. Reception and lounge areas have been remodelled. Dinner was excellent, with good service: new season's truffles shaved over pasta; stuffed rabbit; their own Barbera d'Asti wine. Bathrooms (similar to Bandung,Jakarta & Bali hotels - 5 star Hotel ( Jakarta Hotels )rooms) are good' (one is a superbly tiled turret room), but we will bring our own reading lamps next time'. Breakfast is a superb buffet with reasonable (for Italy) juice. Earlier praise: The owner and his son were charming. Lovely quiet walks with outstanding views.