Hotel Rex Lucca
| 4.8 out of 5.0 stars |
Superb for Location, Price and Staff
A family run hotel in Piazza Ricasoli, Lucca, in a prime location next to the railway station.
This was our second stay here as a family, previously in June 2014. On that occasion we had the family room with the balcony, the one flying the flags of Italy, the European Union and of Lucca.
This time the room was on the floor above. Same configuration with adjoining bedrooms, both with Queen size beds. The main room also had bedside cabinets, while the room for the kids had a shelf above the bed headrest. Bathroom with toilet, bidet and the shower inside the tub.
We found the rooms tidy and clean. There is free WiFi for as many devices required, keeping the kids busy. Each room has a small desk with handy power points. Also a kettle, coffee and tea in the main room.
Rooms are tidied every day and towels changed. As we only stayed two nights on this last visit, the sheets weren’t changed. Probably ask if required.
For breakfast there was: cereals, coffee, tea, fruit juice, croissants, cakes, bread, rusks (toasted bread), cold cuts, cheese, jams, yoghurt, fresh fruit, fruit in syrup, hard boiled eggs, etc.
The owner, Daniela (Elisabetta), is also very accommodating. As I cannot drink coffee or anything with caffeine, I asked her if I could have an “orzo”, a coffee substitute made with barley. If you want an espresso, caffè latte or cappuccino she can make one for you next door in the bar. Just a matter of asking.
The staff are wonderful, Daniela, her daughter Valentina and partner Michael, and also the “night watchman”, Piero, a man of immense experience and knowledge, someone I love spending time for a chat. Must not forget Daniela’s dad Giovanni who is still going strong, over 100 years old!
At reception there’s a small area to sit and relax. All floors are accessed by a lift and stairs. I like this hotel because of its vicinity to the train station (for Pisa, Florence, Viareggio and Garfagnana) and the bus stop in the piazza facing the main road just 20~30 metres away.
It’s not hard to walk from here to the old parts of Lucca inside the “le mura” (the walls). There’s a footpath on the other side of the main road that will take you under the walls, inside the rampart and up onto the road above the walls from where you can see the back of the church of San Martino. The church bell tower is easily seen from the hotel rooms facing Piazza Ricasoli.
Go to their website and check their prices, they have special offers that include free bikes to ride in the city, which we didn’t use, but is cheaper than the other rates. Also prices here reflect the quality and position of the place. You may get cheaper elsewhere in Lucca but not necessarily better. Hotel Rex has had many good reviews. I’ll be back twice in March 2018.
For more information and bookings visit the Hotel Rex Lucca website.
Update: Daniela’s dad Giovanni Barbieri passed away on July 18, 2019, he was 102 years old. My last visit here was in October and November 2019.
| Ambiance | 4.5 out of 5.0 stars |
| Cleanliness | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0 |
| Comfort | 4.5 out of 5.0 stars |
| Facilities | 4.5 out of 5.0 stars |
| Location | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0 |
| Noise | 4.5 out of 5.0 stars |
| Service | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0 |
| Staff | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0 |
| Value | 4.5 out of 5.0 stars |
| WiFi | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0 |
1 Response
[…] hotel should also be able to organise bikes for hire. Sometimes even as part of a package, like Hotel Rex where I […]