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The medieval Tuscan town of Lucca will welcome its first luxury hotel in the summer of 2020. Set in a 16th-century palazzo in the historic city center overlooking the Teatro del Giglio and Piazza Napoleone, the Grand Universe Lucca — Autograph Collection (www.granduniverselucca.com; Piazza del Giglio) will feature arts- and music-themed design concepts in its 55 guest rooms.
The Grand Universe Lucca will incorporate several elements of the city’s history. Silk textiles in bold, earthy colors pay homage to Lucca’s silk-producing period, while wall tapestries illustrate scenes of local vineyards. The palazzo used to house a glassblower’s workshop, whose remnants are still in the basement, which will be a wine tasting cellar in the new hotel.
Guests whose rooms have a view of Piazza Napoleone will have the best seats to the annual Lucca Summer Festival (www.summer-festival.com), a music festival that Celine Dion will headline in July 2020.
—Photo Credit: Grand Universe Lucca