We recently stayed there for three nights. Our room was beautiful with a small living area and a somewhat seperate sleeping area with a large canopied bed. Our view wasn't much to speak of however. One view was over a roof top and the other was over someones back yard where they kept chickens. But, the room more than made up for the view. The bathroom was excellent with a separate walk in shower.

The staff was outstanding. Christian, the bellman, was very helpful and the ladies at the front desk gave us great restaurant recommendations.

We had dinner at the villa our first night and it was excellent.

My only big complaint is that on top of a very expensive room rate they charge about $20 per person for a simple continental breakfast. Most other villas include breakfast in the rate. We skipped it and drove a short distance to a local cafe where we had the same breakfast for less than $5. Try to negotiate breakfast into the basic room rate.

This hotel is just not worth the money. Our room cost 390 euros for one night and although it was nice, it wasn't THAT nice! The bathroom wasn't very clean either. We thought the pool and sumptous breakfast might make up for it but the pool was so cold that I couldn't get into it and my husband had to grit his teeth to jump in. The breakfast was a huge disappointment for such a pricey hotel. i was offered a bowl of museli and a coffee with one croissant and I overheard another guest say that there was cheese in her cheese omelette which she had paid extra for! The hotel has a very small bar area and restaurant but we chose to eat out at the fabulous da Giulio trattoria in Lucca which made our whole visit worthwhile....

Arrived from Venice for 6 nights in a Suite (maybe a Junior Suite). A few kilometres outside of Lucca. Great for getting into town, either driving or getting a taxi. I thought the room was a little noisy but maybe we're used to the Carribean/Indian Ocean too much.

The staff are fantastic, Chris the porter, Walter (Italian, married to an English Lady) the head Barman/Waiter and all the lovely girls on reception.

The food is excellent as befits a Relais and Chateaux property but do try to explore, Michelin starred and Relais and Cateaux food is beautiful, well prepared etc etc but for real local native food get out and about and meet some real restauranteurs. Bucca di San Antonio in Lucca is superb and for a real adventure jump in a taxi and head out to Ristorante Dante in San Macario in Piano, we were in the taxi so long in the middle of nowhere we thought we being kidnapped. Eventually we arrived at a quaint restaurant in the middle of nowehere, the owner chose our meals (really) we had crostini, home-made (by Mamma) ravioli, steaks and it was all 'real' food, absolutely delicious. Interesting to note that the dearest main course on this menu was cheaper than the cheapest 'starter' on the menu at Locanda D'Elisa, unbelievable. After the owner and waiter had plied us with free liqueur at the end of our meal we were dragged in to the kitchen to meet his wife and daughter and all the staff who were preparing food for the following day. He even sorted us out with a taxi back to our hotel.

I'd recommend having a drink in the small bar before dinner in the hotel, very ambient, good measures and a good spot for checking out your fellow diners. Walter is very knowledgeable about wine and will make sensible recommendations to match your food.

I'd recommend the hotel as a haven on the outskirts of Lucca, and please do talk to the lovely ladies on reception, they're very helpful.

Oh, we had a problem with our air conditioning unit which sprung a leak in our bathroom, they called an engineer and this was fixed surprisingly quickly with apologies all round. No mean feat in the middle of Tuscany on a Friday afternoon, believe me.

Regards,
Lord Hawxby.

On the outskirts of Lucca ( 3kms) the Locanda l'Elisa is a good base if you want to combine a 5 star hotel with pool with some serious sight-seeing in Lucca, Pisa etc.The hotel's style will not suit everyone - the decoration is unrestrained. In our bedroom, walls, cupboards and wardrobes were all covered in the same highly-patterned wallpaper; the bathroom ceiling was tented in pink fabric. The room was very well equipped: good towels, robes, toiletries, lots of fresh fruit. The restaurant takes itself quite seriously and the food is good.