Top 10 Il Viandante Hotels

I must have started this review about 5 times because I don't really want to be negative, but then again I don't want to be positive either! We stayed here for one night, and it was enough - much like Pisa itself I feel - one day/night is enough! The location is well out of Pisa - taxi will cost in the region of €25, but if you like the idea of their thermal pools, saunas, etc it's worth it. Our room was a split level - bed above the en-suite with a decent sitting/chilling area downstairs. However I use the term ”chilling” ironically because the AC couldn't get near coping - despite having it working as hard as it could for the entire stay, it only managed to cool the room by less than one degree celsius. Opening the windows didn't help, but they opened into a corridor anyway, so privacy was a concern. Once you actually see a member of staff in the thermal baths/spa area (they seem to be rather sp**** and stay hidden - pretty sure I read that in someone else's review), they are lovely, but I genuinely felt awkward asking them to show us around - which is what the hotel receptionist had told us to ask! When we checked in, we were informed of a ”party” being hosted on the terrace that evening with food (not beverages) costing €90 each. We may have been tempted, but decided that given we were only there for one night, we'd eat in Pisa itself. On returning to the hotel we grabbed a couple of drinks at the bar and were invited (by who appeared to be the Food and Beverage manager) to enjoy our drinks on the terrace with the live music still playing - this was lovely and very thoughtful - certainly the highlight of our stay at the hotel. All in all, it's somewhat aged and needs a bit of TLC, possibly understaffed a little, and in a rural location. That said, the staff are very good and the location makes it wonderfully peaceful and relaxing. The thermal baths are beautiful and somewhat unique so it's very ”different” and for a night-or-two, you can't go wrong. I don't regret booking it, and if the AC had worked, so would probably have been a far more positive review.

Fantastic hotel, from the moment we arrived to our departure the service was impeccable. Upon arrival we were informed of the free happy hour(s) and snack time for my kids and the good news just kept on coming. Once we had checked in I turned round to retrieve my suitcases and they were already in my room. Alessandro, who worked on reception, was amazing, not only did he recommend where to eat he also telephoned the restaurant for reservations. I have to say that my favourite restaurant was Osteria Via Elisa. Alessandro was very approachable with a business and funny attitude, he is definitely a credit to the hotel. The hotel itself is beautiful, the rooms are clean and spacious, there's a lovely terrace where we ate breakfast. The breakfast is plentiful and delicious, the buffet caters for all tastes and diets, the waiters were polite, asked me every morning if I wanted a coffee. Bonus...hot tub was just what I needed after walking around Lucca all day, we reserved our time and spent an hour soaking and relaxing....just missed a glass of Prosecco! Also the hotel offers free bike hire which was great because we rode the length of the wall, its a shame that they didn't offer free bikes for kids but that is the only fault I can find for this hotel and then its only 4euros to hire bikes for kids around the corner. This hotel and its staff are 5 star quality, a gem of a hotel close to everything, we really enjoyed our stay at this hotel and didn't want to leave. Thank you.

Excellent stay. Great location on the square with a carousel and ice skating rink outside our window. Nice rooms (we stayed in #102). BIG breakfast and fantastic dinner at their in-house restaurant ”Legacy”. BTW: Lucca is a great base camp for day trips to Cinque Terre and Pisa. Easy trains to navigate. Easy walk from train to hotel. Special shout outs to Manuel (front desk), Mare, William, Maria Pia, Michela, Venessa, Alessandro, Azzure, and Ricardo (Dinner host in lobby - we had pumpkin ravioli and local Frantoiano soup). Special, special thanks to Manuel for making our (4) nights stay wonderful by answering all our questions and giving some great travel advice too. Be sure to try the lobby restaurant ”Legacy” one evening. 5/5 stars

Nice an typical hotel in the middle of the city. It has several rooms even in different buildings but very close each others. The rooms are clean and big with old style, feeling is similar to the rest of the city. The staff is so gentle, they try to fix anything you need (rooms a little bit in advance, changing somewhere if your room is not available anymore after check out). There is also internal parking space (as extra). Is 300m driving, just be sure your car is not too big. To park they give you a remote to open a small gate. Breakfast is nice and Italian. From here are 2min waking away from the cathedral and close to the center of Lucca

The location is very good, the breakfast is plentiful and the entire hotel service is in place. . .