Any recommendations?

I have heard Piccolo Hotel Puccini mentioned. I actually stepped inside when I was in Lucca, because I am a fan of Puccini and wanted to see the house where he was born, which is nearby. It's very small and also inexpensive. Hotel Universo is a bit more expensive and has more amenities. If you're in a mood to splurge, you can do no better than the Relais & Chateaux hotel: Locanda l'Elisa, which is in the countryside outside of town.

What is your budget for a room?

To echo one above poster -- I recommend the Piccolo Hotel Puccini. We paid only 80 euros for a double room (Jan 2003)! I loved its ambiance and charm - not to mention its proximity to everything right in the heart of Lucca. I plan to stay there again!

I like budget to moderate priced hotels and the Albergo Diana in Lucca is one of my favorites in all of Europe. It is five minutes walk to the train station just inside the city walls and easy walking to all of the old town. Friendly English speaking owners. Try to get a room in the newly remodeled annex across the alley. Bathrooms are fantastic. See this website.
http://www.albergodiana.com/index.htm

Larry J

We stayed at the villa Principessa last June, it was very nice. It is just outside the city, we found it perfectly convenient to visit the city (easy to park) and also for seeing the nearby villas and gardens. They also had a fabulous restaurant.

Piccolo Hotel Puccini is one of the least expensive hotels I've stayed in, and the rooms were nothing to write home about -- but clean and presentable. However, I loved the hotel. We received such a warm greeting every time we went in or out. And when I asked if there was an internet cafe in town, they abandoned the front desk and said to use their computer.

The only disappointment was there was never any Puccini music playing in the halls as I read there would be.

Another recommendation for the Piccolo and agree with all the above posters about it. We were there in May of '01; NB--no A/C, but ceiling fans. It was ok for May, tho.

Has anyone been to the Piccolo Hotel during the hot months? We would be there the first week in August and are Southern California people who are used to air conditioning. Do you think we can survive with ceiling fans in August? Thanks.

Way back in 1999, I stayed at the Hotel San Marco, just a very short drive outside the city walls. We had to go there because we were "winging it" and had no reservations and all the previously mentioned hotels were booked. I was pleasantly surprised with this hotel..it's still very reasonable (I think 130.E for a double) and the decor is very Italian modern. The rooms are sparse but super clean and it's minutes away from the city center.

The Piccolo is, as the name implies, not that big, and it fills up fast. Avoid the Hotel Universo. Ick.

We loved the Palazzo Alexander. It's charming and well located within the city.

Byrd

Guess I will try asking this again:

Has anyone been to the Piccolo Hotel during the hot months? We would be there the first week in August and are Southern California people who are used to air conditioning. Do you think we can survive with ceiling fans in August?

Thanks again.