Look, folks, this place isn't for everyone. You have to want to stay in an out of the way…read moreplace....
One star: Absolutely the worst time getting to our B&B in the 13th century Castello di Ripa d'Orcia, because there is no local street address per se and the GPS coordinates (be sure your device is set to travel on unpaved roads) or you may drive around in circles...So, we arrived in the dark having gone through the same nearby town twice! Turned off the GPS and navigated to the nearest village, San Quirico d'Orcia, and then followed their numerous signs out of town on Via G. Garibaldi for approximately four kilometers along an unpaved gravel road, with lots of ruts.
Five stars: for the location! The place has loads of character, because you arrive at the 13th century castle gates and beg admission at the portal. Lots of cats around. Fascinating place to explore...old carts from 1943, 1960, and later. The grapes have been harvested and are hanging in one of the outbuildings.
Three stars: there is no wifi in the room, the wifi is only in a common room in a building across the way, which is so cold you won't want to use it long in late October. The bedroom, number 15, has a wonderful beam and terracotta ceiling, though. Good hot water, large fluffy, white bath sheets in a generous bathroom with ironically, a handicapped toilet, which no handicapped person could possibly get to having to go up two sets of stairs to this room. No particularly fabulous view from this room.
Four stars: The breakfast is more than adequate, the croissants are really good, and the coffee great but you have to know that I generally don't drink watery, American coffee, but here the strong, smooth cappucino is excellent. And, dinner is not to be missed. We had a bruschetta, followed by a Tagliatini alla carbonara sauce (bacon with noodles), a mixed grill of a wonderful melt in your mouth salsicce (aka sausage of either veal, pork, or beef and spices in a casing), pork with tomato and beans, and turkey, and then to sum it up with a very chocolaty, tiramisu with three or four layers, and not too cloyingly sweet tiramisu. By the way, if you can find it try their 2011. It scores 91 points in Veroncelli, the Italian gold guide. So make a dinner reservation.
Overall, a delightful place to stay if you understand where you are...