The Hotel Continental is housed in Palazzo Gori Pannilini, built in the 17th century by the Chigi Pope Alexander VII for his niece Olimpia on the occasion of her marriage to the nobleman Giulio de' Gori. The grandeur of the architecture and the building's sumptuous decorative scheme perfectly express the high social standing of the families. Thanks to its artistic splendour, the Continental later became the preferred Sienese residence for young European aristocrats and intellectuals on the Grand Tour.
Many famous people of the time stayed there, including Queen Margaret of Savoy and her court. Recent restoration work has uncovered frescoes of outstanding beauty and the structure of a medieval tower. All this and much more contribute to the unique character of the Grand Hotel Continental, the only 5-star luxury hotel in Siena.
Since the time of its original construction, the palazzo now occupied by the Grand Hotel Continental has been repeatedly embellished by artists, craftsmen and decorators, all working to make each room a treasure store of frescoes, paintings, terracotta floors, mirrors with inlaid silver frames, delicate silk, Chinese porcelain lamps and Carrara marble bathrooms.
The Sapordivino restaurant is situated in comfortable ground floor rooms where warm furnishings and excellent service lend an atmosphere of elegance and refinement. Chef Paolo Maretti's menus add a note of creativity to delicious traditional dishes such as warm lobster salad, pearled spelt with wild fennel, traditional pici with bean ragout and confit tomatoes, rabbit ravioli with asparagus sauce. Favourite desserts, served with a selection of luscious 'meditation' wines by the glass, include warm tart with ginger and pineapple sorbet and peaches baked with thyme served with cinnamon ice cream.