Don't worry, Assisi is not so large, from the parking it will be like 5 minutes walk, I ate at the Pallotta restaurant and it was really good, don't know about the hotel.

Thanks, I appreciate your input!

Hotel Pallotta is between Piazza del Comune (the center of town) and Piazza San Rufino - which is nearer to Piazza Matteotti -one of the main parking lots at the upper part of Assisi.

Staying at Pallotta (which is owned by the same people who own La Pallotta restaurant - but is NOT in the same building as the restaurant) will mean you will not be able to park your car near the hotel..but will park at Matteotti.

Pallotta is a good location for walking around the city and has a nice breakfast and WiFi and, I seem to remember, they have a computer in the lobby area you can use...they have only 8 rooms so you get your own key to come and go from the hotel whenever you like. I have just had some friends from Denmark stay there and they were happy but the rooms are not particulary "charming".

I like the upper part of Assisi more than the lower.

But you may want to try Hotel Ideale which is located across from Piazza Matteotti-is recommended by Rick Steves-has always had a very good breakfast spread - if you get a room with the terrace, you will have magnificent views of the valley AND they have onsite free parking. Easy to get in and out of their parking area to access other parts of Umbria..while still giving you quick, easy access to the rest of the city of Assisi. I think their rates are comparable to Hotel Pallotta.

I stayed at Hotel Ideale for a month while in the process of moving here and, though my room wasn't anything grand, the terrace-parking-breakfast made up for that...and the place is very clean and well kept.

Hi Iris,

AlaskaItaly is totally right. Stay at Ideale, the free parking will save you 25 euros a day. Otherwise, there is a small hotel (w/attached camping) called Rambotti just outside Assisi up towards "le carceri" and Monte Subasio. Many people even walk up and down to Assisi all the time (I don't!) I have stayed there a few times this past spring and the rooms are great, the owners really nice and the little "restaurant" on the premises is fantastic. In summer it is outside, self-service. Have the "torta al testo" and a glass of red wine! If you have kids, even better, they have a playground... have taken my kids there since before they could walk... they are all adults now, and one even takes his own kids now! It is submerged in a forest and should be quite cool in the evenings... AlaskaItaly can probably add to this post. I am currently "stuck" in China, but here is the address and phone No.

Agriturismo Casa Rambotti

Via S. Rufino Campagna

06081 Assisi (PG)

Tel 075/35737

Enjoy!

Apologies for replying so late - had some computer problems. Thank you very much for the detailed comments - I really appreciate it!

I have requested availability from Hotel Ideale - will switch to them if possible!

Thanks

Iris99...Be sure to request a room with the terrace at Hotel Ideale - the other rooms are uninspired and tiny. (actually, even the terrace room was small and uninspired but the terrace sure made up for it, in my opinion!) But parking might be the turning point for you anyway.

hi everyone, i know this is a bit off topic now... but i will be staying at Hotel Pallotta this september as well, i will be arriving at the train station at 10:28am, i want to visit the church near the train station (Santa Maria degli Angeli) since i read its only a 5 minute walk away... and after that i want to take the bus straight back to Hotel Pallotta if possible... i know there are supposed to be orange buses outside that we can take? but does anyone know what stop i should get off at? i'm just a bit worried as i dont know how to speak italian.. in case the bus driver doesnt know english... i just want to at least be able to repeat where i want to stop =P

thanks in advance everyone! and i'll definitely try hotel pallota for dinner that night =)

oh... also.. i'm planning the itinerary for my day, does anyone know how long it'd take to walk from the hotel to st. francis basilica? i just want to get an idea of how big assisi is, or if i should really take the bus there instead...

thanks!!! any suggestions or opinions welcome!

Buy your bus ticket (or two if you are returning the next day) at the TABAC at the train station - a small newstand - or at the bar itself. You can leave your luggage at the TABAC also -

I suggest you leave your luggage at the train station while you take your walk to the Porziuncola (the church within the church in Santa Maria degli Angeli - a 5 minute walk from the train station). Then return to the train station to pick up your bags and catch the bus there. Yes, there are other bus stops near the Porziuncola but it would be so much easier without luggage and much less to consider.

I posted recently an entire day itinerary with the bus and walking around Assisi for the day info - so please do look at recent posts. My recent postings will let you know about timing for your walks, highlights, etc.

But - you will take the yellow bus to PIAZZA MATTEOTTI at the top of the hill and the last stop for the bus. You will WALK down via del Turrione, past the church of San Rufino, across Piazza San Rufino, down via San Rufino about 1/4 block. On the left side you will see stairs and the signage for Hotel Pallotta.

You will see P signs for Piazza Matteotti and there are maps on the bus.

And though Pallotta restaurant is often times very good food - if I had only one night here in Assisi - I would suggest you go to Al Camino (near porta San Giacomo) or Medievo near the Piazza del Comune. Prices would be less too.

BIG thanks to alaskaitaly and

ProntoKris for your advice. We stayed in Hotel Ideale and is was fantastic!

The view was unbelievable, the owners friendly, parking a blessing and actually well situated. Did I mention the view ;-) couldn't stop taking video footage and photos!

You are most welcome Iris99!