A 16th Century Palace in Lucca to be Turned into a Hotel

Autograph Collection Hotels, a luxury brand that is a part of Marriott International, will soon add one more exclusive hotel to its portfolio. This time this will be a hotel in Lucca, a charming Italian city. Grand Universe Lucca is open in a 16th-century palazzo. This luxury boutique hotel will have 55 guestrooms and nine one-of-a-kind suites. As an Autograph Collection hotel, the property will embrace all signature features of the brand such as design, craft, and uniqueness.

The opening of the Grand Universe hotel in Lucca marks the debut of the Autograph Collection brand in this Italian city. This is a worthy addition to the brand’s portfolio that features many exclusive hotels in different parts of the world. Lucca is a city in the central part of Tuscany that is informally famous as the city of “one hundred and one churches”. It attracts fans of different activities due to its strategic location at the foot of the Apuan Alps and twenty minutes from the Versilia coast.

The palace hotel stands near one of the two most beautiful squares in the city. Grand Universe Lucca is perfectly suitable for tourists who like sightseeing as the hotel is located in the city center. Such notable attractions as Piazza Napoleone, Chiesa dei Santi Giovanni e Reparata, and Teatro del Giglio are located nearby.

The hotel building has a long history. It was built in the 16th century as a residence of the Paoli family. The gorgeous Renaissance period building was turned into a hotel in 1857. Over the years, the luxurious property welcomed many artists, celebrities, poets, philosophers, and other famous people. Today, the hotel is ready to serve guests again after a multi-million renovation that only underlined the historical splendor and glory of the building. By the way, the palace was built on the foundation of an ancient Roman building. Visitors can see remnants of a fountain dating back to that period in the hotel’s cellar.

The design of the new Lucca hotel is a combination of sophistication and contemporary chic. Earthy, red, Tuscan sun yellow, and pine green colors look particularly well in silk and velvet. Many guestrooms have their unique names, for example, the Puccini Suite or the Piccolo Room. These names have a connection to Lucca and its natives such as composer Giacomo Puccini who was born here. The hotel features an Italian cuisine restaurant, Legacy, and a rooftop bar.