Location is ok, not too far from center, quite a walk uphill to get there though. The service is good, several languages spoken and nice people. Free wi fi! The rooms are old. Unfortunately no air conditioner! The bath room was a bit dirty and we found this long legged animal witch was not supposed to be there!

Our host Francesco Budetti welcomed us when we arrived at the Sole, after driving from Firenze at night through a rain storm; but the signs were well placed to find the hotel. The hotel was more than what we could have asked. Clean and spacious; even a separate room for our granddaughter. The breakfast was complete especially for Italy which is usually cafe and biscotti. The walk to the gates of Volterra is fairly steep (it is Italy!) but the town is simply marvelous. You are within driving distance of Siena, San Gimignano, Firenze, Monteriggione, & Chianti for starters. Francesco was very kind to secure reservations at the Ufizzi Galleria for us before we arrived.

We had an enjoyable week's stay at Hotel Sole in April 2009. Given how much there is to see and do in Volterra with its 3,000 years of history and spectacular location, we would regard that as the minimum stay.

The hotel is set in a quiet and peaceful location to the south of the city walls and an ideal base for visiting the town and surrounding countryside. As has been mentioned by others the hotel is spotlessly clean. Although not large the room was maintained to a very high standard. As others have mentioned Francesco is an attentive host and also very knowledgable about the area in terms of both its history and current developments. Although the amenities at the hotel are limited, there is a modern swiming pool and gym across the road. The hotel is well placed for country walks to the south of Volterra - for example along the course of the now defunct railway route to Le Saline - and returning from a long walk we enjoyed putting our feet up and having a drink at the hotel bar.

As others have mentioned the climb up to the town is steep but necessarily so - Volterra only exists because of its commanding hilltop location. The easiest route is the roughly NW diagonal from the hotel to the Porta dell'Arco. Certainly, enjoying the gentle desecnt back to the hotel after an evening meal in town (we particularly liked Il Pozzo degli Etruschi and Il Poggio), we observed that it was preferable to have had the appetite-inducing steep climb on the way up. One evening when when it was just too wet to go out Francesco kindly ordered pizzas for everyone. Incidentally breakfast at the hotel is much better than the norm in Italy or France and set us up nicely for country walks.

Visitors from the UK (possibly inspired by the recent TV feature on Volterra in "Suggs' Italian Job") can reach the town quite easily by flying to Pisa and either hiring a car or (as we did) taking the local train from the airport to Pontedera and then local bus to Volterra. Florence ansd Siena can be reached easily enough but after a trip to the former we were relieved to get back to the relative peace and quiet of Volterra and Hotel Sole. If I ever return to Volterra I would stay at Hotel Sole and would have no hesitation in recommending it.

This is a good, basic accomodation outside Volterra's walls. The inn is located in a quiet, residential neighborhood that's a stone's throw from the town proper. The elderly and physically infirm should be warned that a fairly arduous uphill walk is required to reach the town, but this should present no problem for folks in good walking shape.

The facility has a bit of a 'Lego Land' feel to it with spartan, IKEA-like furnishings. Nevertheless, rooms are clean and well ordered with color TV and good bathrooms. Breakfast selections are somewhat limited, but the dining area is bright and clean. Free parking can be found on the grounds, and the prices are very reasonable (~70E, breakfast inclusive).

The reception area is abbreviated and client services are limited, but all things considered, this hotel represents an above-average value in a place that's much, much more interesting and affordable than the over-rated San Gimignano. Good eating to be had in town as well -- Osteria del Poeta and Ombra della Sera tp name only two. Try the Zuppa Volterrana, grilled meats and pastas....Enjoy.