I stayed at the Grand Universe in Lucca last year and it's a very small, charming, boutiquey hotel in a nice charming town. Very easy walk from the train station. Rooms a bit small despite an upgrade but the staff were excellent, especially when I explained to them that I was leaving early the next day and probably couldn't make breakfast. They asked about my schedule and said that I'd have enough time to get breakfast to catch my train.

The rooftop terrace is nice (I was the only one there), I spent part of my evening just sitting and relaxing with a small bottle of wine (amenity from St Regis Florence) and a loaf of bread to enjoy the evening before dinner. Just thinking about it now makes me nostalgic.

My only regret is staying there only one night and staying one night at the AC in Pisa. Despite the extra cost, I should have stayed 2 nights at the Grand Universe and just taken the train on a day trip to Pisa since the AC is very much out of the city center in Pisa (which outside of the sites at the tower and some photography was not worth going to IMO) and the bus service was not very consistent.

Some pictures from my stay. Room, breakfast, scenes from the rooftop.