More about Hotel Ilaria
disappointing service
by TripAdvisor Member Moimac
We have just returned from a trip to Tuscany which included 4 days in Florence followed by 3 in Lucca.We chose a suite in the Hotel Ilaria as we wanted to end our trip in a little bit of luxury. On arrival we were treated poorly by the receptionist who was extremely offhand .We were ushered out of the hotel with no explanation,across the road to the Alba residence (which is also owned by the hotel.) we had not been informed that our suite was not in the hotel and were surprised by this.The suite itself was clean and comfortable and accommodation was good.Unfortunately there was a very bad damp smell which we were told was a drainage problem.The breakfast was average and there was one person to deal with everyone which resulted in poor service.In general there was a lack of staff and some staff seemed to work in every area of the hotel.We were never at any time greeted cheerfully by anyone in the hotel except the cleaning lady who was charming.The standard of service at the Hotel Ilaria did not reflect the price we paid for our three night stay.
In contrast we had enjoyed a wonderful stay in the Una Vittoria in Florence for half the price.
Disappointing
by TripAdvisor Member LomuCarmarthenshire
We spent one of our 2 night stay in Lucca at the Hotel Ilaria. I had spent a considerable amount of time looking at photographs and reading reviews on Tripadvisor before making a final decision and decided this looked like a good option. I was disappointed however. I think it very much depends which room you get and obviously a suite is more upmarket but, our room was decidedly average, dull and smelling of cigarettes!
Staff were friendly enough but not going out of their way to be helpful.
The town of Lucca is not to be missed and we can't wait to go back but I wouldn't choose this hotel again - you can get better value for money elsewhere.
2-3 star
by TripAdvisor Member dummer
We booked Hotel Illaria in Lucca for 5 nights. We requested a non smoking room as one of us is asthmatic. When we arrived to our room we smelt the stale smell of cigarettes. They said even though there is a non smoking ban enforced in Italy they can not be responsible for people smoking in the bedrooms. There were three ash trays in the room - either side of the bed and one in the bathroom. This encourages people to smoke. They showed us to the room beside the one we were given and this was the same - it smelt disgusting.
They also state that the rooms are sound proofed. This is not so, we were woken early in the morning with tables/chairs dragging, we could hear guests in other rooms either side and above, urinating into their toilet bowl at all hours, sinks emptying, baths and shower water going into the drains. We were on the ground floor at street level so we could hear traffic passing, voices of people passing under the window. This is very poor for a four star hotel and I felt that they were not interested in accommodating us.
It also state that they have internet access, but this is a farce. You have to get a password to get into the system and normally they would give this for only 30 - 60 minutes. We were there for five nights and we had to keep requesting for a new block of time morning and evening. This was a great inconvenience.They should give you the time that you are booked in for.
The breakfast was poor for a four star hotel. Juice made up with water, plastic processed cheese, mugs for the coffee/tea had cracks in them and also chips on the rim. Invariably the coffee would run out and the stocks of fruit meats etc were slow to be restocked.
We would not class this hotel in the four star bracket.
Great Place in Itlay
by TripAdvisor Member BlackCoyote
Hotel is excellant. The whole staff is very accomodating. We were there for a family reunion/80th birthday party. The experience was more than we could have asked for. Of course, Lucca is a wonderful town, is easy to explore and is very safe. Lucca is now our favorite city in Italy. We will deffinately be back.
A Hotel Better than Home.....
by TripAdvisor Member Ptmover
Lucca is a wonderful town set in beautiful Tuscany. The hotel was just as gracious and remarkable as the town. The rooms are clean and comfortable, the breakfast is excellent and the service....these are the most helpful, smiling , cordial and warm people we met on our trip. You could not find a better place to stay in such an amazing part of the world.
Very stylish and comfortable - but a few issues
by TripAdvisor Member robini
Stayed here for 3 nights in August 2007 at the end of our 2 weeks in Tuscany.
Our room was large, airy, comfortable and very modern, with a very efficient and quiet air-conditioning. As other reviewers have mentioned, there is no real sense in the rooms of being in Italy - they are slightly corporate.
Communal areas are comfortable and stylish - and quite roomy. An excellent breakfast is served (in summer, anyway) in a very pleasant open patio area
Position is excellent - less than five minutes walk from the city centre and within the city walls. Lucca itself is excellent, varied and extremely walkable.
We did have a couple of issues with the hotel, though. On check-in the receptionist was surly to the point of rudeness and when we reported that neither the kettle nor the hairdryer in the room worked, the staff response seemed to suggest 'well, what do you expect?'
Home from home
by TripAdvisor Member Jayne77
We spent five very pleasant nights at the Ilaria. Staff greeted us cheerfully throughout. Room was light and of good size and kept spotless with regular and unobtrusive maid service. A pleasant terrace and jacuzzi area with comfy sun loungers, if you can drag yourself away from the many attractions of Lucca. Within and close to the walls. Ample, free parking. Free use of bikes. Enjoyed early morning cycling around the walls or around the myriad of streets before returning for a good quality breakfast. Nice individual touches included fresh, washed pears by the lift and a bar area with hot and cold complimentary drinks.
Great Stop
by TripAdvisor Member culverwood
We were cycling through Italy on the Via Francigena and had a 106km day so booked a room a couple of hours before we arrived. The reception said we only have a single but it is big take a look and have a reduction as it is so late in the day.
We arrived and the staff could not have been friendlier and the room with its view of the garden of the Villa Bottini was plenty big enough for two and had a bath!
Good location, good breakfast. Definitely excellent
convenient pleasant place to stay in Lucca
by TripAdvisor Member VirgoQualitySeeker47
We stayed in the main part of the hotel at the end of August for 3 nights having visited Lucca before and loved it, we wanted to stay near the centre on this occasion so that we could walk to everything as most of the centre of Lucca is traffic free with lots of cyclists. We found it very convenient for strolling into the centre to restaurants (2 just round the corner) shops etc., The room was quite plain but good quality, with insufficient coat hangers but we were pleasantly surprised to find tea/coffee facilities. We were on the level just up a few steps from reception with a view of the street. I understand larger rooms are available in their other building down the street but we liked the convenience of being near the breakfast terrace, roof terrace with sunbeds and jacuzzi, also the ground floor complimentary help your self refreshment area where you could get coffee, tea, cold drinks biscuits etc. Breakfast consisted of warm food as well as the usual continental and was a pleasant spot to sip coffee and plan the day. My only complaint about the room, which as others have said was spotless,is that the beds are extremely firm. The hotel is down a narrow street but there is a car park through a gateway in front of the hotel and also covered garage parking.
They will park your vehicle for you in the garage as it is usually very full. We found the staff pleasant and helpful. I would consider going back as it had a nice feel about it, I would only be tempted away if I could find a better price for a quality room within the walled town as a car is a hadicap here.
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