Don’t Miss A Chance To Stay At The Grand Universe Lucca In Tuscany

Once I imagined visiting the town of Lucca in Tuscany, a town famous for its repurposed Roman amphitheater, and routinely romanticized as an Italian bucket list destination, I had visions of strolling via historical cobblestone streets, surrounded by pastel buildings and rustic brick accented partitions. I imagined medieval Italian villas, blooming wisteria and vines, and ladies in sundresses and straw hats having fun with a day espresso and gelato. I romanticized and fantasized about this Lucca getaway… and I wasn’t dissatisfied in any approach.

Standing proudly adjoining to Lucca’s city sq., the Grand Universe Lucca debuted in November 2020, whereas its sister property, Grand Universe La Residenza, opened its doorways simply down the highway in June 2023. The most recent additions to Lucca’s vibrant journey scene, these two lodge properties are setting the bar for luxurious journey to Lucca. And as a gal decided to stay her Tuscan fairy story goals (respectful of the culture of course), I stayed at each properties to see simply how luxurious — and fantastical — Lucca may very well be.

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What To Know About The Grand Universe Lucca

The “large sister” property of the 2 inns, Grand Universe Lucca, gives 55 rooms and suites overlooking the Piazza Napoleone and throughout the best way from the famed Teatro del Giglio

I need to admit that I had absolute grand hopes for each properties. As a sucker for historic buildings and an admirer of historic inns, I eagerly appeared ahead to how the Grand Universe properties measured up within the constructing’s renovations in addition to the lodge’s service and magnificence.

The Grand Universe Lucca, part of Marriott’s Autograph Assortment, by some means oozes each attraction and luxurious and makes your expertise really feel intimate from the second you verify in. Surrounded by decor that’s concurrently grand Italian and but smooth and fashionable, I felt from the second I walked in that I used to be in retailer for one thing dreamy.

The lodge is housed in a meticulously restored grand palazzo inside only a stone’s throw from the world-renowned Teatro del Giglio opera home the place super-star composers Giacomo Puccini and Alfredo Catalani mounted a few of their most iconic operas.

Guests can make sure that they’re going to really feel the town’s cultural historical past contained in the lodge; each element of the lodge’s aesthetic and branding pays homage to Lucca’s musical historical past, silk commerce heritage, the countryside’s Tuscan coloration palette, and the crops that made Lucca a rich medieval city, just like the wine grape.

Tasteful Rooms With a Tasteful Value Tag

The Tuscan-infused imagery and ambiance extends from the general public areas of the lodge into their rooms and suites too. Starting from the comfortable Piccolo Room to the bigger and grander Puccini Suite, the lodge options various lodge room configurations that may swimsuit most vacationers.

I used to be touring solo, so I booked into one of many lodge’s mid-size choices, the Vivace Room; I discovered it to be greater than sufficient area for me, and even when I had traveled as a pair, it will’ve been loads of room. So far as European lodge rooms go, Grand Universe Lucca maximizes its sq. footage higher than most and thoroughly curates rustic-yet-luxe particulars with an infusion of contemporary consolation.

The mid-size rooms and bigger suites characteristic luxurious seating areas along with the bedrooms and all rooms have their very own non-public, fashionable loos with smooth, brushed concrete accents. Every room can also be comfortably stocked with its personal Nespresso machines and a number of coffees and teas for the right begin to the morning or an awesome mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

All of it might sound so easy, however these small touches make it abundantly clear that the lodge pays shut consideration to a visitor’s consolation. There is a contact of luxurious wherever you go within the lodge, and I used to be extraordinarily stunned to seek out that the lodge’s pricing — with all of its comforts and a spotlight to element and, in fact, the facilities — was much more approachable than you might suppose staying in a Thirteenth-century Italian palazzo could be.

Lodge Facilities: The Restaurant, The Wine Cellar, and Rooftop Bar

Grand Universe Lucca Legacy Bistro and Wine Bar Restaurant

Absolutely the highlights of the Grand Universe Lucca have been the three culinary and wine-related areas within the lodge. First, the restaurant/bar space is completely probably the most refined spot within the constructing — it isn’t solely furnished in stylish earth tones and gold touches that create an earthy but luxurious ambiance, however the culinary workers at Legacy Bistro Wine Bar raised the luxurious service bar for me.

After being there for only a day, the service workers not solely memorized my drink order however greeted me personally every time they noticed me. I used to be touched by their private contact, and as somebody who’s a agency believer that luxurious experiences are made or damaged by front-of-house workers, I used to be delighted by my interactions on the lodge restaurant.

Grand Universe Lucca Sommita Martin Orsyn Rooftop Bar

Should you’re on the lookout for an much more private and personal contact, Grand Universe Lucca additionally contains a basement wall cellar, the Eterno Wine Cellar, that may be rented out for personal dinners or small gatherings. My group of vacationers booked the area for an olive oil tasting, and the cellar served as the right backdrop to such a quintessentially Tuscan expertise.

We emerged from the wine cellar and made our strategy to the rooftop, one other unbelievable characteristic of the lodge. From the basement to the rooftop, the Grand Universe Lucca has maximized its use of gathering and serving areas, and the newly launched Sommità Martin Orsyn Champagne rooftop was a surprising strategy to finish our night time. Right here, visitors can style Martin Orsyn’s world-famous champagnes with probably the most lovely panoramic view of the town of Lucca.

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What To Know About The Grand Universe La Residenza

A restored Palazzo match for aristocracy, the Grand Universe La Residenza is the brand new pinnacle of Lucca luxurious

Not removed from the Grand Universe, the newly debuted sister property, Grand Universe La Residenza, takes Italian luxurious residing to a complete new stage. With solely 10 suites and residences throughout a multi-level Renaissance-era Italian villa, this property is the epitome of intimate luxurious.

Every room and suite is uniquely furnished and designed to symbolize some facet of Lucca’s lovely pure panorama, and the constructing embraces its historic heritage in its decor. Staying at La Resideza was like residing out a princess fantasy.

Suites & Rooms With Regular Pricing

The rooms and suites are among the many largest I’ve encountered throughout all my travels to Europe — and as somebody who routinely takes a quarterly journey there from the US — I’m well-versed in tiny, European lodge residing. Nevertheless, I used to be spoiled for area in La Residenza’s rooms. They vary in measurement from 415 sq. ft on the smallest to 1,188 sq. ft on the largest (some suites are even geared up with kitchens and a number of rooms), making the lodge superb for bigger events touring collectively or for a pair or solo explorer craving a extra luxurious and refined area to name residence throughout their time in Lucca.

Whereas the worth tag is a bit steep, La Residenza’s seasonal charges seem like very regular, and I don’t doubt that the longer it is open, the extra standard (and due to this fact pricier) it will get. Not solely will you keep within the absolute lap of luxurious, however visitors who e-book at La Residenza obtain entry to the Majordomo service, a delegated butler who acts as your concierge. That is along with facilities on the Grand Universe Lucca, together with using eating places and bars there.

Lodge Facilities: Assembly Areas and Luxurious Finishes

Grand Universe La Residenza, Lucca, Italy

Other than the personalised butler service, the big and opulent bedrooms, and the ultra-modern loos, there’s one other main amenity that visitors can benefit from on the lodge: assembly areas. Positioned in the identical Sixteenth-century villa and with the identical stylish ornamental touches as the general public areas and the bedrooms, La Residenza’s assembly areas could be superb for anybody trying to host a personal gathering.

Once I snuck a peek on the assembly area areas, it appeared superb for government retreats, smaller marriage ceremony events, or a small enterprise convention. There are two boardrooms that may be rented via the lodge. I can think about that lots of superb work will be carried out in a setting that lovely!

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro in Lucca

So did I stay out my Italian goals? Sure. Had been the Grand Universe properties an enormous a part of that? Positively sure. Historical past, tasteful touches, unbelievable workers, and repair all wrapped up in an opulent bow–the Grand Universe Lucca and La Residenza are really two magical items in a ravishing Tuscan puzzle.

My subsequent cease in Italy? Its hidden North Italian gems! And in addition, to my finances journey readers, there are many extra budget-conscious destinations in Italy, so do not fret; you may nonetheless stay out your Italian getaway goals, even on a finances!