The Best Hotels to Book in Pietrasanta, Tuscany

A curving, contemporary construction of steel and glass, the Mondial Resort and Spa sits between the Mediterranean Sea and a pine forest, which affords plenty of opportunities for walking, cycling and other outdoor pursuits. After a day in the great outdoors, retire to your bright, contemporary guest room – some with private gardens, sea-view balconies and jacuzzi tubs in the marble bathrooms – or to the spa, where a Turkish bath and a sauna will help you relax.

Carved baroque fireplaces, luxuriant rugs and antique wooden furniture are among the heritage stylings of this hotel, housed in a stunning 17th-century palazzo in Pietrasanta. Rooms add to this classic aesthetic with vibrant contemporary artworks; some also feature plush four-poster beds. More art is on display in a permanent exhibition, alongside gorgeous jewellery, and the hotel can also arrange visits to local galleries.

A classic Italian country villa, complete with rough, hewn walls, ceiling beams and shaded gardens, is the setting for this hotel, which was the birthplace of famed poet Giosuè Carducci. The five suites are incredibly comfortable while retaining the building’s heritage features, and friendly host Luigi serves a lovely rustic breakfast beneath the garden’s orange trees. Nearby is a museum where you can learn more about Carducci’s life.

Pietrasanta has a long artistic tradition, and so a hotel dedicated to the arts fits in perfectly. Art Hotel Pietrasanta, open since 1946, is the perfect refuge for creative types, with sculptures adorning the communal areas and contemporary artworks hanging on the bedroom walls. Breakfast features such delights as home-baked cakes and locally produced cheese and ham, while famous sights, such as the Big Bench, are within walking distance.

Bringing together the heritage features of a classic 19th-century palazzo – think chequerboard floor tiles, grand staircases and antique wooden furniture – with the vibrancy of contemporary artworks and other up-to-date design features, the Hotel Palazzo Guiscardo sums up the history and artistry of Pietrasanta. The rooms are named for the different types of marble from which their bathrooms are carved. As a guest, you can enjoy access to Bagno Sandra, a luxe beach club nearby.

Nothing says Tuscany like a rural farmhouse with creeper-hung pergolas and rolling hills dotted with cypress trees surrounding it. That’s exactly what you get at Olimagiò, where lovely rooms are spread across rustic cottages, and the food comes from the immediate vicinity. Indeed, vegetables, fruits and herbs are grown on the farm, while meat, cheese and Tuscan wine are from local sources. Breakfast in the garden, complete with home-reared eggs and fresh fruit juice, is a delightful way to start each day.

About 37km (23mi) from Pietrasanta is Hotel Stipino, a well-placed spot close to the historic city walls of Lucca, another Tuscan city, and a great option if you’d like to drive around Tuscany. As well as being close to the sights of Pietrasanta, the hotel has the history-laden attractions of Lucca on its doorstep, including the amphitheatre, Guinigi Tower and Puccini Museum. There are 24 guest rooms with a cosy, homely atmosphere and traditional decor, along with a great hotel bar where you can enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail.

This down-to-earth hotel offers cheerfully designed, comfortable rooms, an elegant lobby dotted with palms and hung with chandeliers, and filling breakfasts featuring the tarts and pastries characteristic of Tuscan cuisine. The beach is a five-minute walk away, while a hot tub and a sauna are among the wellness facilities on hand to help you relax once back at the hotel.

Right on the beach overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, this unpretentious hotel has a guesthouse feel, with classically designed guest rooms and colourfully tiled bathrooms. It’s a family-run establishment where the friendly nonna (grandma) makes coffee and a hearty breakfast each morning, and the owners will happily advise you on the local sights and attractions. These include the Bagno Roma Fiumetto beach, a short walk away, and the Parco della Versiliana, a lovely communal garden.