Pietrasanta was the ideal location for our first trip to Tuscany, because it is modest and unassuming by day, but it comes alive as the sun sets. There are wonderful restaurants, families sitting on the church steps eating gelati and many couples linked arm in arm enjoying the artisan's shops and galleries.

But it was the Alberga Pietrasanta that was the real highlight of our trip. Barbara Pardini is as gracious and welcoming a hostess as one could hope for and her staff are thoughful and hardworking. The rooms are elegant and beautifully appointed and they evoke an authentic Italian flair, from the painted ceilings to the tasteful use of marble. They arranged everything for us, from our days at the beach to our days trips to Lucca, Pisa and Forte dei Marmi. We were especially happy with how they made us feel right at home and our son was doted on by his favourite member of staff Guiseppe.

My family stayed for two nights. Well located and a lot to do in the surounding area.
We had a car but I found the easy access to the Train station to be a big plus.

We thoroughly enjoyed our four nights at the Albergo; the location is ideal (especially for arriving by train) just off the town central piazza; the service is very attentive and helpful at all times, and the standard is very high--in keeping with an SLH hotel. Our only disappointment was that a breakfast was not included in the tariff, and the breakfast cost/person was pitched too high. On the other hand, there are plenty of options for coffee and a pastry in the cafes of the main piazza. The staff was also very helpful in arranging a beach club in Marina de Pietrasante....easy to get to by either bus or bicycle. The restaurants in the town are many and excellent...and the town has just generally a fantastic ambiance and character. It is well worth future repeat visits.

The town of Pietrasanta is distinctly Utopian, it’s long straight streets and the piazza are filled with people who are enjoying their time here – strolling, sitting at the restaurants’ terraces, visiting the shops, one by one – these are open past midnight on Saturday. And on Sunday morning the town square hosts flowers and plants market. Pleasant as it is, Pietrasants is more importantly a good departure point for visiting Pisa, Lucca, Carrara, all the greater Tuscan cities that are not more than a 15-25 minutes train ride away.

Albergo Pietrasanta made a perfect home base – specially when I relocated from the room facing the street to the one with a nice balcony overlooking the patio. Every evening it was a pleasure to return there after a busy day of traveling, every morning a good breakfast made me ready to go on my today’s route, well rested, with a renewed lust for impressions of Tuscany.