Hotel Universo - Lucca

Hotel: 3 stars

Piazza del Giglio 1 - 55100 Lucca

Double room from

€ 69 (Tax included)
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  • Average guest rating:
  • Brent And Debbie has stayed here and says:
  • Cleanliness of rooms
  • Quietness of rooms
  • Spaciousness of rooms
  • Quality of service provided
  • Hotel surroundings
  • 8.48.4
  • 7.37.3
  • 7.67.6
  • 8.08.0
  • 9.29.2

 ‹‹ Hotel Universo was close to train station. Centrally located in old Lucca in a very attractive piazza. Lovely Hotel, providing typical Tuscan Hospitality. ...››

17 Apr 2009 read hotel reviews

About Hotel Universo

hotel front view Hotel Universo hotel front view Ideally located in the very heart of the ancient city of Lucca, the Hotel Universo stands in a magnificent historic building dating back to the 19th century.

This stylish property is an ideal place to unwind in style, comfort and old-world elegance. Major tourist attractions such as the Romanesque cathedral of St. Martin, known as the the Duomo, and the famous 18th century theatre in Piazza del Giglio are both in close proximity.

The hotel offers charmingly appointed bedrooms, a fine restaurant, a cosy bar, fully equipped meeting facilities and above all a welcoming atmosphere coupled with quiet and attentive service.

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Location of Hotel Universo, Lucca

  • Hotel Universo Piazza del Giglio 1 Lucca

    City Area:West

  • Lucca area: West

    Position of the zone in the city

  • Lucca orientation map

    General map

DISTANCES
From the Duomo: 2 minutes on foot.
From the railway station: 5 minutes on foot.
From the motorway exit: approximately 1 km.
From Florence: 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.
From Pisa: 40 minutes by car.

Rooms at Universo

Hotel Universo guest room double room comfort All 60 bedrooms are comfortable, finely decorated and designed to offer a relaxing atmosphere.

Accommodation amenities include private bathroom, direct dial telephone, Internet plug, mini bar, colour TV and writing desk.

Rooms with view, hairdryers, baby cots and extra beds are also available upon request.

  • Air conditioning
  • Baby cots/cribs available
  • Desk
  • Dial-up Internet access
  • Direct dial phone
  • Extra beds
  • Hairdryer in each room
  • Heating
  • Mini bar
  • Rooms with view available
  • Safe
  • Telephone
  • TV
  • Wireless Internet access
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Breakfast at Universo

Breakfast breakfast room A breakfast buffet is served in the breakfast room every morning from 7.45 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Hotel Facilities

  • Air conditioning
  • Credit card accepted
  • Groups welcome
  • Lift/elevator
  • Room service - limited hour
  • City maps
  • Front desk - 24 hour
  • Front desk - fax service
  • Front desk - safety deposit box
  • Multilingual staff
  • Newspapers
  • Tourist information
  • Conference room
  • Meeting Room
  • Bike rental
  • Garage
  • Baby sitter
  • Internet/Email services
  • Reading room
  • Restaurant
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Hotel Reviews Universo

9.19.1

RL
Mature couple
Canada, Sep 2009

The hotel is on a large square in a nice town. The hotel has a nice interior. Close to rail station by foot. There was a restaurant below the room window which generated talking noise except on the day it was closed.

6.86.8

BN

United Kingdom, Oct 2009

Excellent location. Friendly staff. Had to wait for a table at breakfast which we weren't thrilled about. Breakfast very average. The bedroom was fairly basic and not the same as depicted on website,so a little disappointing.The windows may as well have been open as they blocked no sound from outside at all. If you don't want a noisy stay this probably is'nt the place for you. However, we love this bustling city and all it has to offer.

8.08.0

JP
Mature couple
Germany, Oct 2009

Wery nice Hotel ,

8.48.4

Sherry Moen
with a friend.
Canada, Sep 2009

We only stayed one night but were more than happy with our accommodation and were pleasantly surprised to find a lift as we had been lugging our luggage up and down stairs up to that point. It was great. The hotel is lovely and located so close to the train station. The piazza beside is beautifully treed with nice cafes and coffee places. Lucca of course is wonderful and even though our one day there was rainy we loved it anyway. The big antique market was on that weekend.. The food in Tuscany is amazing. We noticed the difference with the first bite we took. We would definitely return to Lucca and the Universo Hotel.

9.09.0

KM
Mature couple
USA, Sep 2009

We stayed in Lucca for 3 days and the hotel was so wonderfully placed in the middle of everything. Although it is an older building it is charming and well run. I would stay again.

7.87.8

LV
Young couple
Italy, Aug 2009

Iy's a very nice hotel placed inside a wonderful vintage building. Because of its position in the historic centre of Lucca it's not easily reachable by car. But the sorroundings are astonishing.

9.49.4

JM
Mature couple
United Kingdom, Aug 2009

Was a lovely 3 star hotel in a beautiful spot with friendly and helpful staff. The rooms we were in were spotless and very comfortable. Hope to return next year. Very good value for money compared with what else was available.

1010

WM
Single traveller
New Zealand, Jul 2009

Hotel Universo was an excellent choice and I would readily go back there again and recommend it as a place to stay in Lucca.

9.59.5

RP
Mature couple
USA, Jun 2009

This was a great stay, however I would be concerned if staying there on nights of music performanaces. The staff was very accommodating, the breakfast was wonderful and the room was comfortable - all at a great price.

9.89.8

RB
Mature couple
United Kingdom, Jun 2009

Good value for central position. Staff good. Good breakfast. Will stay there again

8.98.9

Gordon Brady
Mature couple
United Kingdom, Jun 2009

We stayed at the Hotel Universo for three nights for a short break to visit Lucca.I chose the hotel through the venere web site which I have used several times in the past and have never been disapointed.Once again a good choice was made.The hotel was excellent value and a good central location to explore the city.A ten minute walk from the railway station.The room was spacious well maintained and very comfortable.A good choice for breakfast and All the staff were pleasant, efficient and gave good service.I have already recommended the Hotel to friends who intend to visit Lucca in the next few months.

1010

HS
Mature couple
USA, Apr 2009

This is a very nice hotel in a good location. I think I got a good deal on the room, 59 euro a night, so I was more than pleased. The room we had was bright and cheerful.

6.66.6

SG
Not Specified
United Kingdom, May 2009

My 23 year old daughter and I hadn't had a holiday together in 12 years and she had never been to Italy (my favourite country). When we opened the door of our room and found that we had a balcony to the front just over the main entrance canopy we were over the moon. However, all the deliveries and cleaning of streets etc seem to start at around 4am and as our room was actually one side of the piazza the slightest sound outside even someone talking was acoustically multiplied by 10. My daughter slept through every thing but unfortunately I couldn't. Our room wasn't that clean - my daughter found an English magazine under our bed that was a month old; some of the carpets were somewhat tired. Well thats all of the low points, now to the good stuff - the staff were excellent and because of them and the wonderful, central and easy to find location we loved the hotel. Six years ago I had a day trip to Lucca and that is why I chose the city for this holiday, but to spend a week there was fantastic...shopping is amazing (better than shopping in New York I thought) but search down every little street if you can - you'll be amazed what you find and where the shops are. Hire out a bike - we did 3 times, and make sure you ride 'on top of' the wall and perhaps take a picnic and stop under the trees and take in the views. Buses and trains are so cheap and easy - Lucca has a railway station just outside the ancient city wall and a bus station inside. A day trip by train to Florence cost E2.70ea each way and took aprox one and a half hours - Viareggio on the coast is 20mins away(make sure you get your ticket validated at the station before getting on the train). My daughter was smitten - and plans to go back but with someone who can share the romance of the city with her - mum will be staying at home this time - blast!! ! Enjoy!

8.78.7

LD
Mature couple
Australia, Apr 2009

The hotel was a little difficult to find. Directions to the big piazza next to it would have been easier. We loved the hotel. The breakfast was good. The only negative is the noise of the piazza. Starts at 6am with deliveries to the restaurants, finishes near midnight when the restaurants close. The only quiet day was the day it rained. Location is good (but anything in the walls is handy). We loved Lucca. We would stay here again if we had a room off the piazza.

9.69.6

Laurent Sanchez
Mature couple
France, Apr 2009

A little bit more light in the bedroom would have been better.

8.88.8

ANNE MARIE NICOLAI
Mature couple
France, Apr 2009

Hotel très bien situé, chambres spacieuses et propres, facile d'accès. Charme du batiment et de la grande place.

9.29.2

JC
Mature couple
United Kingdom, Apr 2009

Excelent hotel... Very quite... And really clean and tidy. Lucca is very small but this hotel is located just beside a nice square. The breakfast is excelent. We were in different places in tuscany like Siena, Florence, San Giomiano and pisa and the best hotel was the one in Lucca "Universo". If you decide to go there I would recomend you this hotel.

9.99.9

Brent And Debbie Ambler
Mature couple
Australia, Apr 2009

Hotel Universo was close to train station. Centrally located in old Lucca in a very attractive piazza. Lovely Hotel, providing typical Tuscan Hospitality. Clean and reasonably priced.

9.39.3

RB
Mature couple
United Kingdom, Mar 2009

A 1 night stay. Excellent location.To be recommended.

9.29.2

BO
Mature couple
United Kingdom, Jan 2009

Perfect location and staff were very welcoming and willing to answer any questions with a smile. Great Pizza restaurant in the square outside the hotel - also very friendly staff and good prices.

7.47.4

SS
Mature couple
Denmark, Nov 2008

Arianna the resepsionist was fantastik. Helpfull and competent.

8.68.6

RT
Mature couple
Canada, Oct 2008

Great location - centrally located and very good restaurants near by.

7.97.9

William Jones
Mature couple
United Kingdom, Aug 2008

The hotel is well placed to explore Lucca and is clean and very welcoming. We only stayed for the one night and found the breakfast to be very below standard as well as the beakfast room.

7.97.9

PW
Family with older children
United Kingdom, Aug 2008

Enjoyed it and the hotel staff were very good. However, we had to transfer from the original triple room on the first day as the 3rd bed was only a pathetic camp bed (the other was a double)and broke before we slept in it! The hotel transferred us to a better room where there were 3 genuine beds, although the view was not as good. Better info is needed on what exactly is a triple room. The original triple was unsatisfactory for the price paid but the new room was OK.

8.28.2

George Taylor
Family with older children
United Kingdom, Jul 2008

Great location - bit 'tired' but generally fine. Breakfast poor - not stocked up and inadaequate variety

6.96.9

CC
Young couple
United Kingdom, Jun 2008

Hotel was in a great location, close to where the buses terminate which is great considering we both had luggage to carry. Our room had a fantastic view overlooking superb Piazza, slightly noisy in the evening but not really a problem. Breakfast was a bit more limited than anticipated but acceptable. Great base to explore Lucca, not too cheap but no hotels are in Tuscany!

8.48.4

Chris Keesing
Mature couple
United Kingdom, May 2008

The room was rather small for a double, and although clean, smelt very strongly of stale smoke, even in the bedlinen and pillows. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The buffet breakfast was excellent.

7.67.6

MM
Mature couple
United Kingdom, Apr 2008

FIRST VISIT TO TUSCANY--BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE LAST. HOTEL WAS EXCELLENT AND PERFECTLY PLACED TO EXPLORE THE EXQUISITE CITY OF LUCCA. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

8.78.7

Marti Stites-worth
Mature couple
USA, Apr 2008

We enjoyed our stay here. Easy to find, close to the rail station and within the center city walls. Excellent breakfast! Plenty of closet space. Walls were a little thin so we did overhear next door. We would stay here again.

8.48.4

WV
Family with older children
USA, Mar 2008

excellent location, walkable from train station and of course everything within old city

6.06.0

VH
Family with young children
Ireland, Oct 2007

A wonderfully sited hotel, but there was a conference the weekend we were there, but the hotel had not advised us, as most of the piazzas were covered in plastic. We had been in Lucca before it is beautiful and the hotel has great character. The family room was at the front of the hotel and our young children were very impressed by the 2 storey room.

6.86.8

TT
Mature couple
United Kingdom, Sep 2007

Hotel is excellently located on one of the main squares in Lucca, easy walk from train station- perfect place to watch the procession for the Luminara di Santa Croce on September 13th. The hotel is large and a little faded and for E180 per night, the room wasn't splendid, although pefectly adequate. Our view was of a dingy back alley, although many rooms overlook the square and theatre.

6.26.2

NS
Mature couple
United Kingdom, Jul 2007

There is no bar or restaurant at this hotel, however there are many close to it's location.

8.58.5

Kieran MacHugh
Single traveller
Ireland, Jul 2007

Very nice Hotel inside the walls. Central to everything and very clean. Would go back to this hotel next time I visit the lovely city of Lucca.

1010

CC
Group
USA, Jun 2007

Great hotel for a lovely city. Great location, good ambience.

6.46.4

Silvio Fiorani

Brazil, May 2007

We have been disapointed for have not been welcomed at least with a formal smile by the young man who was the desk manager at our check in. More than that: There was no porter, and although we were 63 years man and a 78 years lady, he did not helped us in carrying the luggage to the elevator. And wath is strange (in ither word) he does not respond to greetings.

5.85.8

MG
Family with older children
Italy, Jul 2006

dato il prezzo elevato e la presenza di stanze poco confortevoli non è consigliabile questa struttura se non per la sua felice collocazione.

7.97.9

John Sargeant
Family Group
Albania, Sep 2004

the breakfast room table layout is poor making it difficult to find/use seating

8.78.7

Neil Mc Killen
Heterosexual Couple
United Kingdom, Sep 2004

A wonderfully well located hotel in a fascinating little city. Very clean and comfortable with helpful and friendly staff. The Universo has a very relaxed atmosphere and we will certainly be back. Since the rooms do overlook one or other of the main squares there can be some noise from outside but this was never intrusive and tended to cease before midnight. I have no hesitation in recommending the Universo to friends and colleagues.

8.48.4

JS
Heterosexual Couple
United Kingdom, Aug 2004

The Universo Hotel is lovely with excellent staff, in particular, the friendly and extremely helpful Bruno. The breakfast room is pleasant and you can also eat outside. The setting is exquisite, the ambience relaxing. The two restaurants on either side are very good indeed. The hotel rooms are variable in design as might be expected in an old hotel so ask for more choices if you aren't happy with the first offer. The staff are more than happy to give you a range of choices in the same price range. This is truly a fine and comfortable hotel.

9.59.5

Malcolm Hooper
Group of friends
United Kingdom, Aug 2004

Very good room and service.

4.84.8

Umpei Nagashima
Single corporate traveller
Japan, Aug 2004

There is no internet facility in my room and no shower curtain in bath room.

8.98.9

LP
Family Group
United Kingdom, Jun 2004

We found it very quick and easy to book our accommodation which more than lived up to our expectations. Everything went without a hitch and we were delighted with our stay.

8.48.4

Cheryl Meyer
Group of friends
USA, May 2004

i had stayed at the Universo previous to this visit and don't remember it being as noisy. since it is surrounded by 2 large piazzas, the noise level was just too much at times. there is often a large event going on in one of the piazzas, plus it is a meeting place for many people in general at all times, night and day and the noise and conversations just carried up. of course we preferred to have our windows open as the weather was so nice. the view was great, so sometimes that helped us tolerate the noise. the staff was fine, helpful, cheerful, etc.

5.25.2

Roger Slade
Heterosexual Couple
United Kingdom, May 2004

A nice hotel, well located in a lovely town, but heavily overpriced when compared with similar accomodation in Rome - Euros 170 at the Unoverso versus Euros 140 at the Villa San Pio in Rome. Breakfast at the Universo offered inadequate choice, moderate quality food and was poorly presented. The bathrooms need extensive upgrading and the quality and taste of the public rooms was disappointing.

7.77.7

Robin Trotter
Single leisure traveller
United Kingdom, Oct 2003

Guide book spoke of faded glory. We had trouble with the plumbing in one of our rooms, and had to change. The new room was not much better, the shower water did not drain away. There was quite a bit of noise from the laundry van outside very early in the morning. The breakfaast was minimalist with no service at all, even for tea and coffee. But on the whole the hotel was pleasant and it felt rather grand staying there. I would stay again for the site. The booking with venere, which i altered worked perfectly. Thankyou!

7.47.4

David Wheatley
Heterosexual Couple
United Kingdom, Sep 2003

We were disappointed that there were no parking facilities at the hotel, and the distance we had to travel to a car park was long and arduous. Had we have known this we would have stayed outside the city walls. We booked at short notice and found this very good and efficient and will be happy to book with the company again in the future.

5.35.3

Lynne Copoletta
Not Specified
USA, Sep 2003

Thank God our room turned out well. The 'airconditioned room I requested was a small, low ceiling attic room. No way was I paying that much for that room. Very misleading. He gave us and un-air conditioned room (#6) that was quite large and had a nice bath....but the only A/C we could have was to open the windows. In reading their guest book, I saw where some compared it to the "Bates Motel" as in the movie "Phsyco". It could had been a BAD experience. Lynne Coppoletta Also very had to get to once you found it. And parking was near impossible.

8.18.1

CO
Not Specified
USA, Aug 2003

The hotel provided good service. However, all rooms do not have air conditioning.

5.75.7

Gale Green
Family Group
USA, Jul 2003

Our stay was very nice. The location was right in the center of activity. Breakfast was included and you could sit inside or outside. The price quoted was not what we paid, however. Unfortunately I didn't have my confirmation to show them. We were charged 570 Euros, when it was supposed to be 510 Euros. Can you find out why?

8.88.8

Tyla Doyle
Family Group
Canada, Jul 2003

We enjoyed the Hotel Universo in Lucca. Our room was very spacious (ample floor space and high ceilings. We had 3 single beds in it as we were a group of 3 travellers. We had a lovely view through high French doors over the piazza. However, there was no air conditioning and it was noisy in the evenings. The location was very central and in the heart of the old, medieval walled town. We would stay at Hotel Universo again.

6.66.6

DR
Heterosexual Couple
Italy, Apr 2003

When we arrived on place, we heard about a cheaper price for a room that didn't compare on the web page. And the breakfast is really deceiving... no taste at all in all stuffs!

8.68.6

Jon Palmer Claridge
Heterosexual Couple
USA, Apr 2003

Hotel Universo is adjacent to a wonderful plaza that was buzzing with young people on Saturday night and in front of another that was filled with a lovely antiques market on Sunday. We also had a very nice meal next door at Restaurant Giglio with friends celebrating a special birthday--which Giglio was happy to accommodate. Our friends had booked a cheaper pensione and were sorry they hadn't been at Universo. We'd definitely go back again.

5.15.1

Helen Burton
Group of friends
United Kingdom, Apr 2003

Hotel mentions a pick-up service from the station. This is not so; when I rang they could not come and said it should not be on their web details. There is no bar in the hotel! The lift was out of order, although I believe they were painting it rather than it being broken. Hotel was as expensive, if not more, than those in Milan and the breakfast was not of the standard as the one we had in Milan and the price was the same.

7.47.4

EK
Family Group
Australia, Oct 2002

This hotel is beautifully located and well maintained. However the staff at the front desk treated us with disdain. They obviously deal with too many tour groups and don't have to try too hard to fill their rooms - hence their lack of warmth. I would not stay there again because of the staff.

4.24.2

René Imkamp
Single leisure traveller
Netherlands, Oct 2002

I tought that the room was disapointingly bare and had very poor quality for the price. TV with ONLY italian channels. There was no chair to sit and read except on the desk. There were to little lamps in the room. The bath was much to small, in length and width. One morning there was no towel in the bathroom.

5.85.8

Kiku Kuwata
Single leisure traveller
Japan, Oct 2002

I connot be foundo coat hanger and branket spare.

4.44.4

Victoria Powell
Group of friends
USA, Sep 2002

The desk manager of Hotel Universo was incredibly rude to us. His computer had crashed earlier in the day of our arrival and he was having difficulty getting his act together. One of the members of our group got locked inside her room when the doorknob jammed and he refused to help her get out. I would not stay there again. There must be comparable places in Lucca with more accomodating staffs.

6.06.0

AJ
Heterosexual Couple
United Kingdom, Aug 2002

Impersonal hotel with little real care or initiative shown by the staff. Nice room but the bed was very hard and we were plagued by mosquitos.

6.36.3

Leslie Rothwell
Heterosexual Couple
USA, Jul 2002

Very small room. Excellent breakfast provided. Very helpful staff. Not good ventilation in room.

6.36.3

MICHAEL BROWN
Not Specified
United Kingdom, Jul 2002

BASICALLY A GOOD HOTEL WHICH WOULD BENEFIT FROM HAVING MORE ROOMS AIR CONDITIONED. WE FELT THAT IT WAS A BIT PRICEY FOR A PLACE LIKE LUCCA

Transport Services Hotel Universo

  • Bike rental
  • Garage

Parking is available in a nearby garage granting preferential rates to hotel residents.

Hotel Policies

METHODS OF PAYMENT
Venere.com does not debit your credit card for your reservations. You will be asked to insert your credit card details which will be sent to the property only as a guarantee of the reservation. The bill will then have to be settled directly at the hotel. In case your chosen hotel needs a deposit, this information will be included in the "Cancellation policy" section and the deposit will have to be settled directly with the pre-selected property. It is not possible to cancel your reservation if you selected and booked a room indicated as "PREPAID/NOT REFUNDABLE". In this case, the total amount of your stay will be charged to your credit card by the hotel at the time of booking.

CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT
Check-in:
the rooms are available at any time after 2 p.m.
Check-out: it is necessary to leave the rooms not later than noon.

SPECIAL OFFER SUMMER FESTIVAL 2007
OFFER IN DOUBLE STANDARD
The offer includes: one night stay for 2 people in standard room and two tickets for live events of the following artists:
John Legend – 9th of July 2007 – €210,00
Elton John – 10th of July 2007 – €370,00
Norah Jones – 14th of July 2007 – €250,00
Ricky Martin – 16th of July 2007 – €225,00
George Michael – 19th of July 2007 – €330,00
Joss Stone – 20th of July 2007 – €210,00
Elisa – 22th of July 2007 – €200,00
Steely Dan – 28th of July 2007 – €245,00

V.I.P. OFFER IN DOUBLE SUPERIOR
The offer includes: one night stay in double superior room, with breakfast in room and two VIP tickets (including welcome cocktail, buffet, and two VIP seats for live events of the following artists):
John Legend – 9th of July 2007 – €270,00
Elton John – 10th of July 2007 – €470,00
Norah Jones – 14th of July 2007 – €370,00
Ricky Martin – 16th of July 2007 – €370,00
George Michael – 19th of July 2007 – €470,00
Joss Stone – 20th of July 2007 – €270,00
Elisa – 22th of July 2007 – €270,00
Steely Dan – 28th of July 2007 – €330,00

INCLUDED/NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Parking in the nearby garage is not included in the price and costs €26,00 per day.
Baby cots are available upon request at an extra charge of €15,00 per day.
Internet access in the public area of the hotel is not included in the price. For further details, please contact the reception.
Breakfast is included in the price.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The booking can be cancelled within 48 hour prior to arrival to avoid the charge of 1 night no-show
You may cancel your reservation without penalty up until 2 days before your arrival date, by accessing the Your Reservations page. It is not possible to cancel your reservation if you selected and booked a room indicated as "PREPAID/NOT REFUNDABLE".