When we decided to include a night in Lucca on our way back to Rome, I had to choose between a so-so place within the walls or something better rated outside the walls in order to stay in our budget. I picked this place and boy, was it worth it. We walked from the train station to the hotel, pulling our carry-ons; it did take 35 minutes or so. But the minute my campanion saw the inside of this place, with the comical figures painted on the walls, she was pleased. When we got up to the room and she saw the draped soaking tub in the corner of the room, she was ecstatic. I appreciated the really nice bed and the French balcony that let in the night air! Everything about the room and the hotel was nice, the breakfast was plentiful and tasty, and the host rented us bikes at a discount, although mine could have used some repair work. This place was our best value of the 6 places we stayed in Italy. Some of that may have to do with the fact that Lucca is not as touristy as other places, because our great dinner in town was also cheaper than Rome, Orvieto, Florence or Cinque Terre. When we left we got on the #17 bus across the street (tickets in the tobacco shop) and it took us right to the train station.
