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 We recently discovered this little burst of sunshine on a wet
miserable day along the small road from Lucca to Pisa. The Locanda
L'Elisa is a charming lavender blue 18th century villa containing
only ten rooms that are nearly always full. It is perfect for
late or early flights from Pisa and is without a doubt the finest
hotel in the area. Because of its size there is a relaxed intimate
feel to the villa, staff are charming and friendly and public
rooms are cozy but beautifully designed.
Our favourite room is the junior suite, room 21, decorated
in red with a large sitting room and huge double bed. Fresh flowers
on the bedside table make up for the rather tired bathroom which
is in need of updating. For those on a smaller budget room 24
a standard double, is adorable with a green colour scheme running
througout and dark mahogany antique furniture. In general all
the rooms are on the small side with 1970's bathrooms that do
need an update.
The restaurant is one of the best in the area, situated in
a conservatory adjoining the hotel it is elegant and refined
and perfect for romantic dinners. The food is ambitious but good,
the taster of fresh pastas included the alarmingly nameed tagliolini
all'clorofilla di spinaci novelli con ragu di spigola (more commonly
known as green tagliolini with sea bass sauce!) The fish is particularly
good as is the potato carpaccio with truffles and porcini which
has become a signature dish of the restaurant. The wine list
is impressive and we drank a very good local wine Montecarlo
2001.
There is a decent sized swimming pool to collapse by after
a days sight seeing in the nearby walled town of Lucca.
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