Hotel Ilaria is one of those places that makes Lucca feel immediately liveable. Set within the Renaissance walls, beside a peaceful canal and a fringe of gardens, it offers the comfort of a modern four-star hotel wrapped in the character of historic buildings. You step out to towers, churches and piazze; you return to calm spaces, soft colours and the easy rhythm of a well-run city base.

It works particularly well if you like to explore on foot or by bike, and prefer to be “in” the city rather than commuting in for the day. The atmosphere is relaxed and civilised rather than formal, with the covered terrace for breakfast, a complimentary open bar buffet during the day, and a team who are used to helping guests make the most of Lucca and its surroundings.

Travel planning

3  nights sharing a Superior double room

Daily breakfast

Private transfer from Pisa airport

Car-free with other Italian cities

Link Milan, Bologna or Rome by rail, with reserved seats and transfers quietly arranged around your pace.

Self-drive with Locanda Rossa in Capalbio

Pair Lucca with Locanda Rossa for a Tuscan–Maremma arc of hill towns, vineyards and coast, mapped neatly for you.

Soft tones, bright accents and contemporary materials create a calm, uncluttered space with either canal or garden views.

A comfortable bed and well-planned layout make this a practical choice if you spend most of the day out exploring and simply want a quiet, well-finished room to come back to.

Just 50 metres from the main hotel, in the medieval Torre di San Gervasio, these rooms suit couples looking for something a little more atmospheric.

The exposed thirteenth-century stone wall pairs with modern furnishings to create a cosy, romantic hideaway that feels distinctly “of Lucca”.

Located in the former church and tower, Superior Rooms offer more space and more light.

High ceilings, large windows and a classic, refined décor make them comfortable for longer stays, while the option of a third bed works well for couples travelling with an older child or friend.

Arranged over two levels with a mezzanine, two bathrooms and a sitting area, the Family Rooms give everyone their own corner without losing the sense of being together.

They are a good solution for families who want space, privacy and the convenience of staying inside Lucca’s walls.

Set in the fourteenth-century Oratorio dell’Alba a short stroll from reception, the Suites feel more like small city residences than standard hotel rooms.

Thoughtful furnishings and, in some cases, a mezzanine level create distinct areas for sleeping and relaxing – ideal for couples who enjoy characterful spaces, or small parties needing a flexible set-up.

Breakfast

Each morning from 7:30 to 10:30, breakfast is served on the cosy covered terrace, with the option to sit outside in fine weather. Expect a generous buffet with a balance of sweet and savoury options, pastries, fruit and lighter choices – a civilised start to the day before you head out onto the walls or into the centre.

Open bar buffet

From midday until 7 pm, Hotel Ilaria offers a complimentary open bar buffet, designed for the way guests actually use the city. Return from a walk or a bike ride and you can help yourself to soft pastries, crisps, peanuts, biscuits and a selection of hot and cold drinks. From 5 pm, beers and prosecco appear too, turning it into an easy aperitif before dinner in town. It is a small touch, but one that makes the hotel feel generous and genuinely guest-centred.

● Hotel Amenities 🏨

✓ Buffet breakfast served daily

✓ Covered and outdoor terraces for breakfast and relaxing

✓ Complimentary open bar buffet (snacks and drinks) during the day

✓ Lounge and reception areas for informal meetings or reading

✓ Wi-Fi throughout the hotel

✓ Lift in the main building

✓ Multi-level annex spaces (annex rooms, family rooms, suites) a short walk from reception

(Additional practical details – such as parking arrangements or bike hire – can be tailored and confirmed at the time of enquiry.)

● In-Room Amenities 🛏️

✓ Free Wi-Fi

✓ 32 inch LCD TV

✓ Independent air conditioning and heating

✓ Mini-bar

✓ Safe

✓ Phone

✓ Bathroom with bath and / or shower

✓ Hairdryer and courtesy set

Staying at Hotel Ilaria means you are already inside Lucca’s famous walls, with much of the city within a comfortable stroll. Within minutes you can be on the tree-lined ramparts for a walk or cycle, looking down over gardens, churches and terracotta rooftops. The Duomo, Piazza San Michele, Torre Guinigi with its rooftop trees, and the elliptical Piazza dell’Anfiteatro are all close enough to visit more than once, at different times of day.

Beyond the centre, Lucca also works well as a base for exploring wider northern Tuscany. Pisa is an easy train ride away if you want to see the Leaning Tower and the Campo dei Miracoli; the Versilia coast offers long beaches and Liberty-style seafronts; while inland hills hide small wine estates and walking routes with views back towards the city. From Hotel Ilaria you can decide, each morning, whether to stay local and wander or to range further – returning in the evening to a familiar, welcoming base inside the walls.

📍 The Walls of Lucca – 300 m: tree-lined Renaissance ramparts, perfect for walking, running or cycling above the city.

📍 Torre Guinigi – ~450 m: the iconic tower crowned with oak trees, offering wide views over Lucca’s rooftops and hills.

📍 Duomo di San Martino – ~500 m: Romanesque cathedral home to the Volto Santo and the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto.

📍 Piazza dell’Anfiteatro – ~600 m: an elliptical square on the footprint of the Roman amphitheatre, full of cafés and everyday Lucca life.

📍 Botanical Garden of Lucca – a short walk: a peaceful historic garden, ideal for a quiet pause among trees, ponds and plant collections.

📍 Piazza San Michele – ~8–10 minutes’ walk: lively square dominated by the ornate church of San Michele in Foro, ringed with cafés.

📍 Puccini Museum – ~10 minutes’ walk: the composer’s birthplace, with manuscripts and insights into Lucca’s musical heritage.

📍 Pisa – ~30–40 minutes by train: classic day trip for the Leaning Tower, Piazza dei Miracoli and riverside strolls along the Arno.

📍 Viareggio & the Versilia coast – ~30–40 minutes’ drive: Liberty-style seafront, long beaches and easy access along the Tuscan shore.