Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa

This is a large hotel about 30 minutes up the hills from Lucca. At the time we stayed there was a convention in progress which seemed to be consuming most of the rooms. The view from the patio and our room was amazing. The rooms had plenty of room and were well appointed and clean but could use some updating, they were somewhat brown and dark. The breakfast was not included but there are no other options nearby so we had it. It was ok, not great, especially for the price. There is no coffee available early morning. The front desk staff was helpful and courteous. The path to the self park is very narrow and difficult to navigate. They have an ATM on site which was convenient. They have a nice looking pool with a beautiful view but we did not have time to use it. Next time I would stay closer to Lucca.

First the positives: without exception the staff went over and above to look after us. Special mentions to Manuel, Maria, Dennis but everyone was lovely. We enjoyed the breakfast buffet and of course the views from the terrace and pool are just fantastic The niggles for us were that the bar and restaurant menu was very poor for vegetarians. Apparently if we'd asked them the chef could have cooked up more options. But for the first five nights we stayed we didn't know this. The other downer for us was something others have mentioned - 15 euros per person per night 'resort tax'. I think that's far too steep for use of a car park and swimming pool ( there's also a much smaller tourist tax) - for us a additional 210 euros for a week's stay. Why not put the tax into the room rate to avoid this unwelcome bill at the end?

A nice hotel with good facilities. The massage I had was excellent. The food was great and the service was good too. The pool and it’s setting was one of the loveliest pools we have been in. The Tuscan view was outstanding. The reception staff were fantastic and couldn’t have helped us anymore. The reason for 3/5 is due to the conferences. The groups took over the hotel. For us this stay was part of our holiday. When the conference groups arrived for dinner suddenly the waiters were not as attentive. The groups took over the dinning area and the noise spoilt one of our evening meals. When we used the stairs to the bedroom one of the conferences spilt over into one of the corridors which actually prevented us moving through the hotel. Without the conferences this would be so much better for those on their holidays.

The hotel is in a great location on a hill in Tuscany, situated in northern Tuscany, a surprisingly mountainous region. There are few well-known sights in the region, but the hotel gives you a tourist map/guide to plan your visits. If you are not lying or swimming in the pool, you can quickly fill your days with trips. The fantastic outdoor pool has a great view and drink service. The veranda restaurant has a great terrace. Remember to reserve! The spa is fantastic, with very professional and experienced services. So, a lot to do during your stay. The rooms were not so big, but we had a fantastic room with a big terrace and a valley view. The are decorated warmly. One small remark: When the hotel is busy, the pool and breakfast area could need some additional staff.

We stayed here for 4 nights in August. Overall the stay was pleasant but we won’t be rushing back to stay again. Also before reading the review below please be aware there are some hefty fees you have to pay in addition to the room (we were charged around 150 euros extra for ‘resort’ fees which we’ve never had before. I understand the city tax but I think the extra fees for the resort are a bit excessive). Room: I mentioned in advance that I was a light sleeper. They were very accommodating by giving us a room on the top floor and the back of the building. The room was on the smaller size but it’s fine if you’re out exploring all day. Bed was king size and very comfortable. The view from our room was incredible. We had a little balcony and chairs which was nice but no small table to rest a drink or food on. The decor was disappointing. I can imagine when the hotel first opened 20-30 years ago it was an upmarket hotel. However, now it feels quite run down in some areas. We also had some issues with the water pressure in our shower, the extractor fan didn’t work and if the AC was set to its highest setting, the fan would make an awful clattering noise. Location: This can be a plus or a minus depending on what you’re looking for in a holiday. The hotel is located on a very steep mountain which is on a nature reserve. The views are incredible and it’s quite relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of a city. That being said it is essential that if you stay here you get a car otherwise you are very isolated. The roads are not safe to walk into town and there is no public transport. Taxis costs about 20 euro each way to Barga and back. Food: We read the reviews in advance of coming and most were negative around the food. This plus the high prices (nearly double for those in Barga town centre) led us not to eat the restaurant. I did get room service one night after we were exhausted from being out all day. It was ok but very expensive for what it was and they charged us a service fee for 2 people to order to our room even though i only ordered one meal. Staff: The staff on the whole were very polite and helpful. One of the guys at the front desk was really nice and gave us recommendations of a local spot to visit and cheap car parks in neighbouring towns. We had one negative encounter with a lady behind the bar when we tried to order food to our room but the guy that brought over the food was very kind. Facilities: The hotel has a decent size gym, indoor swimming pool, outdoor swimming pool and spa on site. Again they could do with a refurb but on the whole they were alright. We had mixed experiences managing to use the facilities. The first half of our stay was quiet but the second half things got a bit overcrowded (possibly due to a national public holiday). While the hotel do offer help organising some excursions we chose to try and find some local ones ourselves. We can highly recommend cooking classes with Rita and wine tasting at La cant

The location of the hotel and the view is stunning. It’s incredibly picturesque. The lobby and other areas of the hotel have unique touches and a low-key vibe. The breakfast in the morning was great as well. After that, it becomes “meh”. My room, while larger, smelled musty. The AC in the room could not keep up, and because it was one of those “swamp cooler” units, made everything feel damp (which most likely contributed to the musty smell since the room was carpeted). The pool was probably the biggest disappointment. The pool itself is large. The views from the pool are stunning, but there were not enough chairs for guests and no chair service. The bar was located up a flight of stairs and you had to get your own drinks. You also could not have food near the pool. There was also one bartender on duty, so he was making drinks for the entire pool and serving the people who were also eating. It could be an Italy thing, but got a resort, I expect more, especially when the is a daily resort fee charged.