This four-pearl property is located on a leafy, stone-paved street along a narrow canal that offers gorgeous views of the city of Lucca. Of its 44 guest rooms, 30 are in the main hotel, once a former stable, and the remainder are in an annex building that includes a 14th century tower. Perks at this 44-room hotel include a free breakfast served in a sunny atrium and free beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks in the lobby bar every evening. Espresso is provided free of charge in the comfortable lobby where guests will also find a surplus of books and newspapers. Another freebie includes bicycles to borrow, although many historic sights can be reached on foot. There is a hot tub on the terrace but for a hotel with a spa, visitors might like Albergo Celide, also in Lucca.
This four-pearl property is located on a leafy, stone-paved street along a narrow canal that offers gorgeous views of the city of Lucca. Of its 44 guest rooms, 30 are in the main hotel, once a former stable, and the remainder are in an annex building that includes a 14th century tower. Perks at this 44-room hotel include a free breakfast served in a sunny atrium and free beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks in the lobby bar every evening. Espresso is provided free of charge in the comfortable lobby where guests will also find a surplus of books and newspapers. Another freebie includes bicycles to borrow, although many historic sights can be reached on foot. There is a hot tub on the terrace but for a hotel with a spa, visitors might like Albergo Celide, also in Lucca.
A historic hunting lodge, the Albergo Villa Marta is a picturesque 15-room property at the base of Monti Pisani in Tuscany. The upscale inn serves a free breakfast and has an outdoor pool with views of the countryside. Rooms are simple but cozy, with flat-screen TVs and spacious bathrooms, and some have lovely views. The property's two buildings face the mountain and distant hills, and there are fragrant Renaissance gardens, a small spa with 10 different types of massage, and a restaurant that draws locals as well as hotel guests. But in low season the restaurant is only open two days a week. If Villa Marta is booked, guests might try another country house property in Lucca, Albergo Villa Casanova, or Alla Corte Degli Angeli, a hotel within the city walls.
A historic hunting lodge, the Albergo Villa Marta is a picturesque 15-room property at the base of Monti Pisani in Tuscany. The upscale inn serves a free breakfast and has an outdoor pool with views of the countryside. Rooms are simple but cozy, with flat-screen TVs and spacious bathrooms, and some have lovely views. The property's two buildings face the mountain and distant hills, and there are fragrant Renaissance gardens, a small spa with 10 different types of massage, and a restaurant that draws locals as well as hotel guests. But in low season the restaurant is only open two days a week. If Villa Marta is booked, guests might try another country house property in Lucca, Albergo Villa Casanova, or Alla Corte Degli Angeli, a hotel within the city walls.
The 21-room Alla Corte Degli Angeli is a charming, four-pearl boutique hotel in the Renaissance city of Lucca, not too far from Pisa. Breakfast is served for free in a room off the lobby or -- in good weather -- in a courtyard. Ceilings beamed with rustic timber, floors laid with weathered terra-cotta tiles, and exposed brick add to the property's allure. Rooms have beautiful floral murals and modern bathrooms. The property has a small bar with a fireplace off the lobby with windows to the cobblestone street. There are bicycles to rent for a fee and interesting walks around this city of 16th- and 17th-century ramparts. For a grander historic hotel, travelers might try the 14th-century L'Antica Bifore in Lucca.
The 21-room Alla Corte Degli Angeli is a charming, four-pearl boutique hotel in the Renaissance city of Lucca, not too far from Pisa. Breakfast is served for free in a room off the lobby or -- in good weather -- in a courtyard. Ceilings beamed with rustic timber, floors laid with weathered terra-cotta tiles, and exposed brick add to the property's allure. Rooms have beautiful floral murals and modern bathrooms. The property has a small bar with a fireplace off the lobby with windows to the cobblestone street. There are bicycles to rent for a fee and interesting walks around this city of 16th- and 17th-century ramparts. For a grander historic hotel, travelers might try the 14th-century L'Antica Bifore in Lucca.
If you're looking for a bed-and-breakfast inside the Lucca walls that oozes charm and character, look no further than the three-pearl Hotel Palazzo Alexander. The family-owned and operated hotel houses 13 classic rooms decorated with antique furniture and updated with flat-screen TVs, memory foam mattresses, and mini-fridges. All rates include a substantial homemade breakfast buffet with hot items and Italian favorites. Guests can order wine and cocktails from the 24-hour reception desk. The only downside is also a selling point: the hotel is difficult to find due to its address inside the ancient walls. Booking transportation with the hotel is recommended, as those with a car will have to register the vehicle with the city and ask hotel staff to park it for a fee. For an equally refined alternative outside of the walls, check rates at Albergo Celide, which offers free bikes and free parking.
If you're looking for a bed-and-breakfast inside the Lucca walls that oozes charm and character, look no further than the three-pearl Hotel Palazzo Alexander. The family-owned and operated hotel houses 13 classic rooms decorated with antique furniture and updated with flat-screen TVs, memory foam mattresses, and mini-fridges. All rates include a substantial homemade breakfast buffet with hot items and Italian favorites. Guests can order wine and cocktails from the 24-hour reception desk. The only downside is also a selling point: the hotel is difficult to find due to its address inside the ancient walls. Booking transportation with the hotel is recommended, as those with a car will have to register the vehicle with the city and ask hotel staff to park it for a fee. For an equally refined alternative outside of the walls, check rates at Albergo Celide, which offers free bikes and free parking.
Albergo Celide is a refined four-pearl boutique hotel directly across the street from Lucca's ancient walls and botanical garden. The 49 rooms are elegantly decorated and have marble bathrooms and flat-screen TVs. Common spaces include a lovely, relaxed bar and furnished rooftop terraces with views of the ancient walls. A substantial breakfast buffet is included in the rates and the seafood restaurant is open for dinner. The wellness center features whirlpools, a sauna, Turkish baths, and massages -- but it costs extra and must be booked in advance. Little touches, like free stylish bikes to borrow and historic photos on the walls, give the hotel a sophisticated touch. For travelers who want to be inside of Lucca's walls (and don't mind navigating to get there) Hotel Palazzo Alexander is a wonderful historic bed-and-breakfast.
Albergo Celide is a refined four-pearl boutique hotel directly across the street from Lucca's ancient walls and botanical garden. The 49 rooms are elegantly decorated and have marble bathrooms and flat-screen TVs. Common spaces include a lovely, relaxed bar and furnished rooftop terraces with views of the ancient walls. A substantial breakfast buffet is included in the rates and the seafood restaurant is open for dinner. The wellness center features whirlpools, a sauna, Turkish baths, and massages -- but it costs extra and must be booked in advance. Little touches, like free stylish bikes to borrow and historic photos on the walls, give the hotel a sophisticated touch. For travelers who want to be inside of Lucca's walls (and don't mind navigating to get there) Hotel Palazzo Alexander is a wonderful historic bed-and-breakfast.
"Life can be difficult, but not here," is the motto at the three-and-a-half-pearl Hotel Fabbrica di San Martino. And apart from needing a car to get around the Tuscan countryside, life is truly easy at this sophisticated and cozy bed-and-breakfast housed in a 300-year-old family villa. The property's history, antiques, and memorable Italian-chic style have been written up in several magazines, and many guests come year-after-year. The stunning location overlooks Lucca, and allows enough space for a working winery, chic outdoor pool, and a separate building with additional guest rooms. Some of the rooms are full apartments with kitchens and laundry facilities. There's only space for a maximum of 16 guests, so expect hands-on service from the lovely owners who speak fluent English. As an alternative bed-and-breakfast in Lucca, check rates at Hotel Palazzo Alexander.
"Life can be difficult, but not here," is the motto at the three-and-a-half-pearl Hotel Fabbrica di San Martino. And apart from needing a car to get around the Tuscan countryside, life is truly easy at this sophisticated and cozy bed-and-breakfast housed in a 300-year-old family villa. The property's history, antiques, and memorable Italian-chic style have been written up in several magazines, and many guests come year-after-year. The stunning location overlooks Lucca, and allows enough space for a working winery, chic outdoor pool, and a separate building with additional guest rooms. Some of the rooms are full apartments with kitchens and laundry facilities. There's only space for a maximum of 16 guests, so expect hands-on service from the lovely owners who speak fluent English. As an alternative bed-and-breakfast in Lucca, check rates at Hotel Palazzo Alexander.
