The Grand Universe is the place to stay in Lucca if you want to be in the very centre and treat yourself. The hotel occupies a grand palazzo at Piazza del Giglio 1, facing the Teatro del Giglio opera house and a few steps from Piazza Napoleone, the big tree-lined square at the heart of the old town, with views towards San Martino cathedral. It joined Marriott’s Autograph Collection in 2021 after a full renovation that kept the building’s character, including Roman-era wall foundations and the remains of an ancient glassblowers’ fountain in the cellar. There are 55 rooms and suites in a classic but fresh style. Legacy Restaurant and Bar serves Lucchese cooking with tables out on Piazza Napoleone, Eterno is a wine cellar for private dinners, and Sommità is a champagne rooftop at the top of the building with panoramic views. A gym, a 24-hour front desk and mobile keys complete the picture.
Location and getting around: from the door you are about a minute from Piazza Napoleone, two minutes from San Michele in Foro and three minutes from the walls, with the Guinigi Tower and Piazza dell’Anfiteatro around five minutes away on foot. Lucca station is roughly an eight-minute walk, which makes this a good base for a day trip to Pisa by regional train. Pisa airport is around forty minutes by car.
The rooms: rooms and suites are elegant and comfortable, with a classic Italian look, and the upper floors have the best views over the rooftops. Ask for a room facing the square or the cathedral side if the view matters to you.
Who it suits: couples on a special trip, travellers who want to be in the centre of the action, and opera and music lovers, with the theatre opposite and the Puccini Museum a short walk away.
Good to know: the hotel is inside the limited traffic zone. Drivers must give reception their arrival details and can enter only through Porta San Pietro to drop luggage for a few minutes. There is no on-site parking, and the hotel points guests to the Park Stazione car park, about a kilometre away. Breakfast is a buffet and is charged separately on some rates. Small pets are accepted for a fee.
Why stay here
- ✓Legacy Restaurant and Bar
- ✓Sommita champagne rooftop
- ✓Eterno wine cellar
- ✓Fitness room
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Buffet breakfast
- ✓Small pets accepted for a fee
- ✓Mobile key
Good questions
Does the Grand Universe Lucca have parking?+
There is no parking at the hotel, which is inside the limited traffic zone. Guests can drop luggage via Porta San Pietro and park at the Park Stazione car park, about a kilometre away.
Is breakfast included at the Grand Universe Lucca?+
Breakfast is a buffet and is included on some rates but charged separately on others. Check your rate when booking.
How far is the Grand Universe from Lucca station?+
It is roughly an eight-minute walk from Lucca station. Regional trains from there reach Pisa in about half an hour.