Hotel Noblesse - Lucca, Italy     

We spent 3 nights here recently. We decided to splurge on the Noblesse after reading TA reviews of other Lucca hotels. If you go back far enough on all of them there are serious flaws like mosquitoes in the room, rubber pads on the bed, surly staff, strip mall location, a/c didn't work etc etc. We really enjoyed our stay at this hotel. After coming off an all night trans continental flight we wanted to be assured of climate control, good beds and peace and quiet. The room could be made as chilly as we liked but the a/c shuts off if any windows are opened or when you leave the room. The mattress was firm but very comfortable. Bed linens were good. The shutter operated electrically and sealed off the French doors completely to light and noise. Sound proofing was excellent- we heard no street noise or noise from other rooms. The hotel is located on a quiet little square. The shower had a high tech, pricey control with numerous jets of water coming at all angles. Breakfast was excellent and served in a stunning room- I have to disagree with the previous reviewer. We saw no flies. You could eat outside on the patio in good weather or indoors. The breakfast waiter was excellent and accommodating. One morning he was quite busy (another staff member was absent) and it took about 10 mins to get scrambled eggs. Eggs were not on the buffet but you could request them. Our coffee cups were constantly replenished with delcious espresso drinks. We were too tired the first evening to go out for dinner and ate at the hotel. Our waiters were outstanding and professional. There was a quiche appetizer that was excellent but my seafood and fish in parchment tasted a little strong and my husband felt his veal was kind of dry. It was also expensive so doubt we would eat there again. Overall, we had mediocre dining experiences while in Lucca. We decided against Bucca Sant Antonio after hearing mixed reviews. The Puccini arias at the Basilica Di San Giovanni were a highlight of our trip to Lucca. Our room decor was beautiful with antiques and Oriental rugs. Good natural lighting, bedside lighting and cross ventilation via French doors and a window in the bathroom. The entire hotel was very attractively decorated and we did not find it gaudy or vulgar in the least. Staff- overall we were happy with the staff. There was one sourpuss at the front desk- a young man who made a sour face at everyone- other staff, his superiors etc and he was a pain. He did, however, accomplish our requests but not in a pleasant, happy manner. I would stay there again despite this one person because he was not rude or surly just an unhappy person. Parking is an additonal 25 E per night. The hotel has a garage a short distance away and each time you want your car you have to request it. Getting our car unloaded on arrival and our things brought to our room was also a little slow- took about 30 mins for the sourpuss to help us. Driving into Lucca was a nightmare. It took us a long time to get there from the Pisa airport. GPS does not work in walled towns. My recommendation is to go to via Santa Croce, ask for help to find Noblesse and walk to the hotel. You might need a hotel staff member to ride with you and show you how to arrive and depart by car. Be sure to take the hotel's phone number with you in case you have to call. We ran into many other tourists in a similar predicament- had spent hrs circling around trying to find their hotels. We paid 375E per night for our superior, non suite room which seemed excessive but hotels in Italy are very expensive. If I had paid 525E as the previous reviewer did for a non suite I would have also been unhappy and more critical perhaps. If we return to Lucca, we will stay at the Noblesse again.

a problem on arrival, incorrect booking not hotels fault. But still given a tiny double room for 2 people but charged at normal rate. This hotel is by no means a 5 Star. The red leather bed was offensive and the overall decor was oppulent bordering gaudy. The food was below average, risotto had no seasoning whatsoever. Desserts mediocre. Breakfast in a 5 star hotel was appalling. No hot choice and service no-one was to be seen. Cold meats left uncovered and flies all over. All for 525 euros. Please read our review for Castello di Velona to see what a true 5 star should be.