The Siena Hotel

Named for the Tuscan town, the Marriott’s Autograph Collection property in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, boasts nods to the Italian city throughout. Whether it’s tapestries in the bedrooms of Siena landmarks or the wine served in Il Palio (the hotel’s restaurant with Tuscan-inspired fare), the hotel commits to the bit.

Beyond the theme, the bedrooms are spacious and have plenty of natural light thanks to the French doors with Juliet balconies, but the bathrooms (though also large) have rather dated, hard-to-finagle showerheads—and that’s with the provided detailed instructions. The bed, however, is perfectly comfortable. 

Roughly 10 minutes by car from downtown Chapel Hill, the Siena is conveniently located if you’re looking to explore the college town, but perhaps not be in the thick of the student scene. 

Nearer to the hotel, guests can walk to local coffee spot Caffé Driade for a cold brew amongst the trees, or visit chain eateries like Bartaco (solid margs, chill outdoor seating area) and Stoney River Steakhouse, where you must order the hot chicken biscuits appetizer. 

While it would take some suspension of disbelief to make you think you’re actually anywhere near northern Italy, the Siena Autograph Collection Hotel is nonetheless a cheerful and comfortable spot for a couple of days in Chapel Hill. 

Nearby

• Carolina Coffee: Stop by for a delicious Southern brunch (be sure to order the sweet potato fries) and grab a seat outside to soak up the campus energy while you eat.
• Crossroads: If tablecloths and Southern charm are more your speed, check out Crossroads for an elegant taste of the south.
• Pantana Bobs: Relive your college days with cheap drinks at this dive bar—or watch from afar, comfortably seated on the back patio. 

Neighborhood

Chapel Hill may be known to many primarily for its university, but beyond collegiate athletics, the North Carolina town has everything you’d want from a weekend visit. There’s ample options for delicious cuisine, fun breweries and bars with live music, and for the culture lovers, there’s museums and historic homes aplenty. 

Time Out tip

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to buy your own bottled water while staying at the hotel, as ours wasn’t replenished during our stay and there was no mini bar.