Just returned from a lovely week at the Hotel Tirrenia. We have stayed at many hotels in Italy and this rates about the best, the location for exploring Viareggio or Tuscany of which we did plenty is good with the railway or bus station a short walk away. Luca, the owner was extremely helpful as were the rest of the people working there, Luca provided us with train timetables, maps etc and a email to him concering getting to the hotel from the airport saved us time and money. The whole hotel was very tastefully decorated and spotless. We loved the breakfast especially the strawberries and pineapple fruit mix was delicious, as was the scrambled egg. Also provided meats, cheese, bread etc.

We stayed at the Tirrenia for 10 days at the end of May and early June after reading the reviews on trip advisor and were certainly not disappointed. Luca, his wife and parents were so welcoming and friendly and could not have been more helpful.

As mentioned in one of the previous reports, the journey from Pisa airport is so easy using the local bus and so much cheaper than a taxi. We had been planning to get to Viareggio by train but Luca told us the bus was simpler and the bus stop in Viareggio is in fact much closer to the hotel than the train station and therefore a far better option.

Our room was fabulous. Spotlessly clean as advised in other reports and very spacious with a lovely en-suite and large powerful shower. We could also see the sea from our balcony which was a wonderful surprise.

The breakfasts were a pleasure to come down to each morning there being an amazing choice. In addition to the usual continental buffet of cheese and cold meats, hot items such as scrambled eggs and bacon were always on offer. I had a boiled egg every morning and even when I forgot to ask, Luca or his wife would very thoughtfully put it on anyway for me so it was ready after I had finished my cereal. There was also a wonderful choice of pastries and croissants and fresh fruit. During our stay there were fresh cherries and melon which were just delicious.

Viareggio is a super resort with miles of promenade which we spent many happy hours just walking along and watching life. The bathing stations are so unusual and the ornate entrances just incredible. We walked up and down and looked just to look at them most days.

We also used the resort as a base to explore Tuscany and went by bus to Lucca (a gem of a town) and Pisa and by train to Florence where we had a good 6 hours to see the main sights although it was very busy.

The highlight of our stay (apart from the hotel of course!) was a trip to the Cinque Terre. Luca gave us good directions to get there and we bought a park ticket (for the coastal walk) from the information centre at La Spezia station before changing trains to Riomaggiore. We then walked the full 5 hour walk from Riomaggiore to Monterosso along the coastal path which was just amazing. The views were simply stunning and the change of scenery of the path from open headland to pretty olive groves so unexpected. It was a wonderful experience and one we would certainly recommend. One good tip - for those not fit enough to do the full walk the train stops at each of the 5 villages on the way so you can stop at any village and get the train back without having to complete the full walk.

One of our other great memories was hiring bikes from Luca. We hired them on 2 occasions and each day went in a different direction. Luca gave us a map and on the first day we travelled north to the end of the map (about 18km). The route was brilliant as there is a dedicated cycle path all the way which saves braving the crazy Italian drivers. After Forti dei Marmi the bathing stations give way to sand dunes and right at the end there is a lovely little cafe to sit and have a coffee. The second day we went south - again to the end of the map and about a similar distance. Going south the cycle path is rough ground through woods and open rough ground but very peaceful and full of wild life. Again there are some cafes near the sand dunes after about 12km to provide some welcome sustenance. We also sidetracked into Torre del Lago on the way back which is certainly worth the diversion.

All in all one of the best holidays we have ever had and we will certainly be back. Thank you Luca and your family for such wonderful hospitality.

Good hotel with beach privileges. Really friendly welcome. Great breakfast. Internet access

I will keep this short as the guest who wrote the previous review has listed everything and agree with all that has been said.

It is "the attention to detail" that we appreciated the most, the fresh strawberries and pineapple for breakfast, the perfect cup of cappucino, the "nothing is too much trouble" attitude, the helpful advice.

The welcome from Lucas's mother when we arrived as though we were long lost friends.Truly a family business run with love and care.

We hired bikes from the hotel and rode to Puccini's villa on the lake, the journey is through a beautiful leafy forest, very easy riding and about 26km round trip well worth doing.

If you stay in Viarregio this hotel is a must.