Alla Corte Degli Angeli

"The Courtyard of Angels," is the English translation of this property's name, and its pretty, rustic atmosphere makes the moniker seem appropriate. The streets outside its door are cobblestone, and the masonry exterior of the hotel is pale pink. The lobby has rustic wooden beams and traditional decor, including chairs with exposed wood and satin upholstery, a few loveseats loosely slipcovered in linen, and coffee tables stacked with free newspapers. The breakfast room has small, square tables with peach cotton cloths and white, wooden chairs. A buffet is displayed on a long, wooden table bookended by urns of fruit. While the bar is in the front of the hotel and has casement windows to the street, the breakfast room in the back opens to a small courtyard of old stone. The hallways have wooden floors with Oriental carpet runners, lending a country-house feel to the property. The only modern touches in the public areas are jarringly contemporary light fixtures. The hotel draws a European clientele intent on exploring Tuscany from one of its most remarkably well-preserved historic cities.

The hotel is located in the Tuscan city of Lucca, characterized by old cobblestone streets that run along the Serchio River. It's a three-minute walk to the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, an ancient amphitheater surrounded by medieval homes and contemporary restaurants and stores. The Lucca Cathedral is an eight-minute walk, as is the Gigli Theater, while the Orto Botanico Communale di Lucca is a six-minute drive. Pisa is the closest big city, just half an hour away by car or 41-minutes by train. Florence is about 90-minutes by train or just over an hour by car. Reaching the seaside towns of Monterosso Al Mare -- one of a handful of towns of the Cinque Terre -- takes about 90 minutes by car. It's about 50 minutes by car to the airport in Florence, or just over two hours by train.

Each of Alla Corte Degli Angeli's guest rooms is named for a flower, and all have floral murals based on their themes. They're traditionally furnished with wooden headboards, antique desks or tables, and small upholstered pieces, plus beamed ceilings and wooden floors with Oriental rugs. The beds are covered in old-fashioned bedspreads rather than modern comforters. The effect is snug and homey. All rooms have air-conditioning and come with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, minibars, safes, and irons/ironing boards. Views look out over the cobblestone streets and terra-cotta roofs of the city.

Bathrooms are contrastingly modern with bright lights, tile floors, and wall-spanning sink counters. In the Bougainville room, there is a big jetted tub in one corner plus a heated towel rack and a wall-mounted flat-screen TV. The bathrooms include Frija toiletries, bidets, hairdryers, and magnifying mirrors. Note that there have been some complaints of dirty grout and smells emanating from the drains. 

Features at the Alla Corte Degli Angeli include free newspapers, luggage storage, concierge services, and airport transfers (for a fee). A free daily breakfast is also include in room rates. Guests can take it in the dining room or out in the courtyard furnished with tables and chairs.Babysitting can be arranged, and laundry services are available for a fee. Parking is available for a fee in a garage, but there are some vehicle restrictions in Lucca's narrow streets. Small pets are allowed with prior arrangement, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.