We rented two of the self catering apartments for a family birthday celebration. Location is excellent with the town a 10 minute walk away (up a hill). Tastefully furnished and well equipped with help on almost any matter only a phone call away (to owner Stefania who also owns the beautiful Villa Poggiano hotel about 1.5 km away). The grounds, full of olive trees, are beautifully maintained. The apartments were serviced and cleaned daily. The availability of a laundry room with washer and dryer (no additional charge) was a real plus.

This is the place to stay in Montepulciano and is at the foot of the city. We had a car and it was in the perfect location. The apartments were amazing. Nice kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. I prefer staying in apartments because I love to cook and get extremely excited buying fresh food in Italy. We found fresh truffles in the city :) There is also a really good cheese shop on the highway to Pienza that has truffle cheese. The villa complex had an area where you could take supper and eat it at night. It was extremely romantic. The villa is perched on a hill, so the views are nice.

I only recomend staying here in Montepulciano!

We had a wonderful time here - in part because we had the place to ourselves. Why? Stefania explained that it is July, and most of the people traveling are Europeans with familes, so they want a pool and air conditioning. Montorio doesn't have these. But it does have a spectacular location. It sits on a hill just outside Montepulciano, overlooking the beautiful church, with a panoramic view of the nearby Tuscan hills, including Montepulciano itself. Our suite included a small kitchen, most of which worked. We prepared several meals and ate our on the grounds overlooking the views - this was fabulous especially since no else was there. The room was large, with a sitting area, bathroom, bed area and kitchen/breakfast table, and dining table. So lots of room.

Although it was very hot in Tuscanny, and the rooms don't have air conditioning - there is a nice breeze in the afternoons and evening in this area - so it didn't matter.

Stefania was very helpful and friendly - gave us good restaurant recommendations which, for the most part, overlapped with Rick Steve's recommendations. She speaks very good English as well.

We enjoyed walking back and forth to Montepulciano - up a steep dirt road past the cemetary. Probably a 20 minute walk to get into town that route, you should be in pretty good shape to do that one. Other routes are less steep - but will take longer. We had a car, but didn't use it since parking in and near Montepulciano is difficult. From Montario we also ventured out to Deruta, Todi, Montelcino, and other little Tuscan towns by car. So it was a great location to explore Tuscanny and Umbria. Siena is about 90 minutes away too.

The only negative - there were nearby barking dogs at night - a common thing in the counry. But with ear plugs we were able to sleep well. Also in the hot summer it would be nice to have a pool and or air conditioning.

Montorio is a former convent which has been divided into a number of self catering units. The one we stayed in was very comfortable, effectively a one bedroomed apartment with the necessary facilities. However, when you see the views this place has you will want to spend as little time as possible inside. For starters, it overlooks the church of San Biagio which was apparently designed by the same designer of St.Peter's in Rome, the view is just stunning. Montorio is perched on its own little hilltop offering panaormic views of southern Tuscany and beyond. There are tables and chairs including sunbeds provided allowing you to relax in the Tuscan sun. The owner Stefania is very helpful and has excellent English.

Montepulciano itself is a pretty town though hilly and is a great location to visit other southernTuscan towns such as Pienza etc. You will need a car as public transport is not good. I suspect the only reason why there are not more reviews about this place is that people want to keep it a secret!