I did do a search, but many of the reviews were old. Has anyone stayed at Hotel Piccolo Puccini, Albergo San Martino, or Alla Dimora Lucense in Lucca?
They all look nice, and we are having problems with our dates, so I am hoping to book one of them soon. Thanks

The Piccolo Puccini is always my choice in Lucca. As the rates may indicate, this is not a luxury hotel. However, it is very comfortable, spotless and impeccably run. And the location just off Piazza San Michele is perfect.

To be fair, I do not know the other hotels, though I suspect you may find reviews here on Slow Travel.

Thank-you!
Do you know if there is parking nearby?
The other two did have parking, so I was leaning toward one of them. They are quite a bit more and it would be good to save a few euros to spend on other things!!

We don't have a car when in Lucca so I don't know. When you inquire about availability for your dates, ask about the parking situation and the costs.

I certainly know how you feel about saving where you can - I am in the throws of trying to justify certain expenses for our October trip. I think I may give up and just economize here at home where everything costs USD.

Good luck with your planning. You will love Lucca.

Do you ever read the travelogues on The Travelzine website? I believe they visited Lucca on one of their recent trips and seem to remember the Albergo San Martino was their choice for lodging. It's been a while since I have checked prices, but I think the San Martino was a good bit more than the Puccini. We are paying 90 or 95 euro in early October.

As far as I know, you can drive up to your hotel in the historical centre of Lucca only to drop off luggage. The hotel will provide you with a permit for parking outside the centre in specifically marked areas.

Reading carefully the Albergo San Martino indications this is what I read: "You can drive in front of our hotel for leaving the luggage and we will give you instructions for parking." This is also my experience.

I am not sure about the Dimora location but, if this is a concern, my advice is to ask specifically the hotel(s) about distances from parking to the hotel once you have dropped of the luggage.

In any case, while in Lucca the car will not be needed, unless you plan day trips outside of town.

I don't like to give incorrect information, so I checked prices at Albergo San Martino. High season rates are 110 euro, only a bit more than than the Puccini. I was remembering the rate for the suite.

And wrong again - The Travelzine folks did not stay at the Albergo San Martino. Where has my memory gone? Here is a link to their site. You may find the travelogues useful.

When we stayed at Hotel Piccolo Puccini in !998, they offered us a (free? don't remember) parking pass in nearby Piazza Napoleone. We found the hotel to be good value and well located as noted above.
Driving in and out of Lucca was at times an adventure as it is in the one way maze of any old Italian town. The hotel provided an adequate map that we used to chart our paths in through the various gates when returning from our villa tours. But one wrong turn and let the games begin. Luckily it is a small town.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bags packed:
I don't like to give incorrect information, so I checked prices at Albergo San Martino. High season rates are 110 euro, only a bit more than than the Puccini. I was remembering the rate for the suite.
QUOTE]

The price quoted to us at San Martino, was 130 euro, with breakfast, (different from their website) and ten euro for parking. We were willing to pay it for the convenience of parking.
Alla Dimora Lucense was 112 euro, 9 breakfast, and 15 parking.

quote:

Originally posted by Always Italy:Alla Dimora Lucense was 112 euro, 9 breakfast, and 15 parking.

This is unusual, as the Dimora advertises itself as a B&B, therefore the breakfast should be included?!

My vote would be for Piccolo Puccini inside the walls (or Corte degli Angeli at a bit higher price) and Albergo San Martino outside the walls (and car needed).

A B&B should always include breakfast in the price. That's just silly...

quote:

Originally posted by Megan in Liguria:
My vote would be for Piccolo Puccini inside the walls (or Corte degli Angeli at a bit higher price) and Albergo San Martino outside the walls (and car needed).

A B&B should always include breakfast in the price. That's just silly...

Albergo San Martino is suppose to be inside the walls according to their site--

Alla Dimora Lucense looks like a very nice place, but I guess you are both right about it being a B&B.

Everyone seems to like Piccola Puccini. They haven't answered me about the parking. We are willing to pay more not to worry about that.

You could try Hotel Universo, which is where we stayed in Lucca. Rates run for two persons from €125/night to €136/night (superior double), breakfast included. Wonderful building, in Piazza del Giglio, steps from the Duomo, across from the Teatro del Giglio, etc. Recommended.

We stayed at Albergo San Martino for 2 nights in May 2006, and I believe we paid Euro 130 for our room. I did not submit a review here. It is inside the walls, and would be relatively easy to get to with a car once you know where it is located (we did not have a car). It is on a small alley-like street. Cars could pull up and unload, but I have no idea where they were parked. There was no parking on-site.

Our room was on the American third floor, smallish by American standards, but average in Italy. There was no elevator. It's a relatively short walk from the railway station, and generally a good location, easy to walk everywhere. The hotel was perfectly fine, but not especially memorable, charming or a bargain.

Both The San Martino and Alla Dimora Lucense are recommended in the Michelin Red Guide, so you could look up their exact locations on a map on viamichelin.com.

Hotel Ilaria features having parking on its website, but I believe it's more expensive than your choices:

http://www.hotelilaria.com/

Hey, you've got several good recommendations for hotels; all you need to do is determine the one that seems to fit your requirements.

I checked my confirmation for the Puccini. It states to follow the pink route on the map on their website for unloading at reception and then they will suggest parking options. I know this isn't helpful in the least, but I mention it to let you know that all of the hotels in Lucca must have plans for their guests' parking.

I have often read that the Puccini offers free parking but wouldn't swear by it since I have never kept the rental car for our stay in Lucca.

You may want to wait for the Puccini's response to your parking questions but I personally would move quickly. Lucca is so popular now - it seems most everyone I know that is headed to Tuscany desires to make at least a day trip there. All of the hotels and B&B's are small - I would book soon in order to get the dates you require.

Thank-you all!!
We are making our decision tonight between the two with parking. It is difficult, but I think the area and the website for the Alla Dimora Lucense seems nice.