Palazzo Dipinto

You know what struck me first about Palazzo Dipinto? The location is absolutely perfect – I mean, you’re literally on this charming little piazza that most tourists never stumble across, but it’s maybe a three-minute walk to Via Fillungo where all the action is. The building itself is this gorgeous renovated palazzo that actually feels like it belongs in Lucca, not like some chain hotel that could be anywhere.

The rooms are honestly better than I expected for a 4-star place. Mine had these beautiful original ceiling frescoes (hence the name, I guess – “painted palace”), and the bathroom was surprisingly spacious with really good water pressure. The air conditioning works well too, which you’ll appreciate if you’re visiting in summer when Lucca can get pretty steamy. I loved that they kept the old palazzo character but didn’t skimp on modern comfort – the Wi-Fi was solid, the bed was comfortable, and there’s actually a small elevator, which is kind of a miracle in these old buildings. The staff at reception spoke excellent English and gave me some great restaurant recommendations that weren’t just the usual tourist traps. They pointed me toward this fantastic little osteria on Via del Battistero that I never would have found otherwise.

What really won me over was how quiet it stays at night despite being right in the centro storico. The piazza doesn’t get the late-night foot traffic that some of the main squares do, so you can actually sleep with the windows open and just hear the occasional scooter puttering by. Parking was easier than expected too – they have an arrangement with a lot just outside the city walls, and honestly, you don’t need a car once you’re inside anyway. The whole historic center is walkable, and the train station is maybe a 10-minute walk if you’re heading to Florence or Pisa. I stayed in October when the weather was perfect and the summer crowds had thinned out, but I imagine it gets busier during the Comics & Games festival in November when the whole city goes a bit mad. The breakfast was solid – not huge, but good coffee, fresh pastries, and they actually had proper prosciutto and local cheeses instead of just generic hotel food. There’s something really satisfying about starting your day with a proper Italian breakfast and then just wandering out into those narrow medieval streets. The 9.3 rating makes total sense to me – it’s not trying to be the fanciest place in Tuscany, but it gets all the important stuff right and gives you that authentic Lucca experience without breaking the bank.