Grand Universe Hotel, Tuscany

The hotel is in the centre of Lucca, located between Piazza del Giglio and Piazza Napoleone. You're surrounded by cafés, bars, shops and restaurants.

The Piazza dell'Anfiteatro and the Torre Guinigi - as well as other main sights - are a short walk away.

By plane: London, Manchester or Bristol to Pisa takes around 2 hours 30 minutes, after which, it's a 30-minute drive to the hotel. Book flights to Pisa.

Despite being an old school palazzo, design touches like marble flooring, chandeliers and velvet furnishing have brought this hotel bang up to date. Rooms are decorated in rich colours such as plum, turquoise and yellow.

Staff are happy to organise anything you need or want - from wine tasting and guided city tours to bike hire and horse and carriage rides.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Terrace
• Gym
• Bike rental
• Family-friendly
• Pet-friendly
• Free Wi-Fi

Whichever you choose, rooms are spacious and bathrooms feature a bath or walk-in shower (or both). Expect traditional features like wooden beams and raw plaster walls.

Room types: Piccolo, Adagio, Vivace, Allegro, Aria Suite, Puccini Suite, Maestro Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, luxury bathrobes and slippers, hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi

The Legacy restaurant on the ground floor also has a terrace. Start at the lounge next door (for an aperitivo), then enjoy fine Italian cuisine with an emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients. We recommend the Tordelli Lucchese - crescent-shaped ravioli stuffed with beef or pork, with Swiss chard, pine nuts, raisins, bread, spices and grated cheese.

Legacy Restaurant: traditional Italian cuisine, seasonal ingredients. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.