Appartamento Ilaria

Description

 

Nestled in a street just behind Lucca’s famous amphitheatre, Apartment Ilaria is a stylish two bedroom apartment.  The building dates back to the mid 1700’s, which makes it a relatively modern building for Lucca.  It was originally a large family Palazzo and the building was renovated into individual apartments (one apartment takes up a floor) in 2005.  The building has remained in the one family for centuries and has only recently been available for holiday rental.  Apartment Ilaria is situated on the first floor above ground level (19 steps) and has a small balcony overlooking via Mordini.

 

It is clear that this has been a family home as soon as you enter the main lobby downstairs.  No bikes or clutter greet you, only some lovely antique furniture and an elegant marble staircase waiting to whisk you upstairs to your apartment.  As you enter the apartment there is a small entrance hall with the sleeping quarters off to the right and the day rooms to the left.  There is an overly large sitting room, with elegant frescoed ceilings and walls.  There are two comfortable couches and a formal dining suite.  The walls are adorned with original oil paintings and the rooms is further complimented by a selection of antiques and an incredible gilt framed mirror.  Modern concessions are a TV and DVD player.

 

The kitchen is off the sitting room and is very large with a second, more casual dining arrangement.  There is a large antique sideboard and a walk in pantry giving plenty of space for everything that you may need.  The kitchen is well planned and has a dishwasher, electric oven and a gas cooktop.  This is all offset with a magnificent benchtop and splashback in white Carrera marble.

 

The main bedroom is very large and features an antique bedroom suite (with a new, comfortable queen sized mattress).  It is a large, light filled room with windows to the street.  Adjacent to the main bedroom is the main bathroom which, like the kitchen, makes extensive use of local Carrera marble (floors and walls). This bathroom has a bath and gives access to the small balcony.

 

The second bedroom could never be described as spacious, however, there is plenty of room for a pair of twin single beds (compared to the size of a typical European hotel room, it would probably be considered large).  This room also has a huge window flooding it with light.  The second bathroom is similar to the main bathroom, only slightly smaller and featuring a shower as opposed to a bath. 

 

There are washing, drying and ironing facilities in the walk in pantry as well as nearly everything else that could make your stay comfortable.

 

The location of the apartment is very central within Lucca’ centro storico.  There is (metered) public parking close by in Piazza San Pietro Somaldi which is very handy for those travelling with a car.

On the second floor of this building is an apartment called Apartment Isabella.  It is identical in terms of layout and fixtures and fittings used in the renovation.  Only the furnishings differ slightly.  The two apartments can be rented in conjunction to provide four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two sitting rooms and two kitchens.

                           Second bedroom                                                    Second bathroom

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