Grand Universe Lucca

This new 4-star hotel enjoys a super-central location just inside Lucca’s famous walls, overlooking the double squares of Piazza del Giglio and tree-lined Piazza Napoleone (setting for the evening passeggiata. Nothing is more than ten minutes’ walk within Lucca’s historic centre.

Occupying a historic building, not much remains of its storied past (erstwhile guests include Giacomo Puccini, John Ruskin and – later – Chet Baker)  thanks to a recent, contemporary re-vamp, but it remains a comfortable and central place to stay in a city where the hotel scene is rather lacking.

There’s a restaurant where you can sample the chef’s contemporary take on local classics, but the real x-factor is the rooftop bar; perfect for a sunset cocktail, overlooking Lucca’s ancient rooftops.