Albergo Villa Marta

There's an atmosphere of understatement at the Albergo Villa Marta, from its simple but fine building materials to the quiet, low-key crowd that comes to this inn from around the world. The entrance to the inn, off a curving roadway in the countryside between Lucca and Pisa, is through a gravel parking lot and down a stone path flanked by potted herbs. The main inn and annex are stucco with wooden shutters and terra-cotta shingles, surrounded by gardens with banks of camellias and magnolias, and roses encircling stone columns. The reception area is a warm yellow, with a honed, red tile floor, and the exposed, rough-hewn beamed ceiling found throughout the property. Muslin-covered armchairs and sofas in pale velour fabrics with down cushions provide seating. The bar with a fireplace, pretty breakfast room, and terrace with vaulted, beamed ceiling are on this floor, each taking in expansive views of the property, including its tiny, neoclassical chapel. Furnishings are simple and stylish: farmhouse chairs with striped seat cushions, comfortable sofas, and rattan on the terrace. Lighting includes contemporary drum shades and candles. The pool, a rectangle tucked by a stone wall, has loungers and views of Monti Pisani. On the ground floor is Botton D'Oro, a restaurant open to the public that serves regional (and expensive) dishes in a rustic setting of good linens and soft lights. Once a hunting lodge, the property retains the feel of a very private getaway while being within short drives of lively villages and towns. 

The Albergo Villa Marta is in the Tuscan countryside, a nine-minute drive from the town of Lucca with its lovely Cathedral di San Martino and its lively shopping street Via Fillungo. There's an interesting walk, La mura di Luca, around the Renaissance walls of the city, a center of olive oil production. The Golf Club Vicopelago is a seven-minute drive from the hotel. The ancient aqueduct of Nottolini is 10 minutes away by car. The Lucca Railway Station is a 10- to 15-minute drive from the hotel; although biking is possible and pleasant, a car is almost essential for exploring the area. Pisa is a 20-minute drive or 45-minute train ride. To reach the center of Florence, guests would drive about one hour to 90 minutes. Pisa International Airport is a 30-minute drive or 55-minute train ride. The hotel will arrange transfers for a fee.

As with many historic properties, rooms at the Albergo Villa Marta range in size and style. Some guests of the Albergo Villa Marta report that rooms at the main house are prettier than those at the annex, a space that originally housed servants. Second and top-floor rooms in the main house are the most expensive Deluxe Rooms, with L-shaped, spacious lodgings, frescoed ceilings, and 180-degree views. But the real luxury of all the guest rooms is their fine building materials and postcard-perfect Tuscan views, which are visible from some Classic Rooms and all Deluxe Rooms. Decor in all 15 rooms is not elaborate; it's made up of honed tile floors, oak armoires with small safes inside, and generously proportioned casement windows that let in plenty of sunshine (light sleepers may need eye masks). Each room has a lightly stocked minibar, a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Deluxe Rooms also include free welcome cocktails, bike rentals, bottled water, extra pool towels, pillow menus, and kettles with tea selection. Bathrooms are spartan but spacious, with toilets and bidets separate from sinks, showers, and tubs (in some); included are hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and toiletries. The glass-door stall showers have copper rainfall showerheads, and some are tiled in colors that coordinate with room fabrics. Those seeking more ornate, feminine decor might ask for the room with a bed crown of floral fabric. 

Despite its intimate size, Albergo Villa Marta has several on-site features that match the property's romantic, upscale atmosphere. The inn has a small, beautifully landscaped outdoor pool with lounge chairs. There are also bicycles available for rent to explore the surrounding countryside. The small on-site spa specializes in 10 varieties of massage, including Gestalt and a treatment that incorporates regional olive oil. The property's popular restaurant, Botton D'Oro, draws both guests and locals. Reservations are recommended as the restaurant is quite small. And be aware that while it's open every day but Sunday in high season, it's only open Fridays and Saturdays during low season. Packed lunches with cold drinks and croissants are available for early departing guests. Breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking are included in the room rate. Other services require an extra fee, such as transfers to the train station and airport, or laundry service. (Laundry placed outside guest rooms is returned clean and ironed.) The inn provides a computer workstation for guests' use, and there's one meeting room. The front desk is staffed 24 hours and a concierge is available.