“Historic hotel that has been playing host to the jet-set since 1871. Endless activities can be organised and a Michelin-starred restaurant is located on-site. It's glamorous beach-front location, walking access to bars, galleries, shops and clubs makes this a crowd-pleasing property. ”

Hotel review

This Relais & Chateaux property is the town’s oldest hotel named after Russian expatriates fleeing from the Tsarist Empire. It has a pristine Belle Epoque white facade overlooking a long sandy beach with outdoor pools, beach pavilions, other hotels, cafés, boutiques and fish restaurants. This historic hotel has been home-from-home for the jet-set for over 150 years including the conductor Toscanini, the poet Rilke, whose walks inspired him and Puccini who became romantically involved here. Artistic exploits are celebrated in the hotel every February with the Carnivale and its famous themed floats passing by.

It’s a boutique hotel thus offering a more personal experience and the décor is neutral and subdued. Throughout there’s lacquered furniture and leather poofs, circular mirrors and locally-sourced milky-white marble flooring. In the hotel’s fairly-priced Restaurant Lunasia there’s a stunning long chartreuse banquette. The bedrooms look straight over the promenade to the open sea, some having their own small balconies. They’re furnished traditionally with fine marble bathrooms and parquet flooring and there’s a sophisticated harmony of warm, understated tones: all typical of top Italian design. It’s within easy reach of Pietrasanta’s romantic cobbled streets and Lucca’s surrounding ancient ramparts. Perfect for a stylish stay.

Adam Jacot de Boinod
Adam Jacot de Boinod Review published: 2018-11-04

Recommended for

  • Short break

    • A complete change of scenery yet easy to access as located only 30km from Pisa's airport
  • Beach Life

    • The hotel is set on the main promenade of Viareggio, just 50m from the beach
  • Foodies

    • Michelin-starred 'Ristorante Lunasiais' is located on the property
  • Close to nightlife

    • The beach clubs of Viareggio are legendary. Enjoy world-class DJs and sea views as you dance the night away
  • Sights nearby

    • Viareggio's close proximity to both Pisa and Lucca mean the art and cultural tours can be easily arranged
  • Hotel Entertainment

    • The hotel puts on temporary art exhibitions
  • Views

  • Romantic

  • Family Suites

  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Sailing

  • Designer

  • Trekking

  • Other Activities

  • Good wine list

  • Museums

  • Child friendly

  • Riding

  • Restaurant

  • On the beach

  • Fishing

  • Golf

  • Historic

  • Chic

  • Watersports

  • Surfing

  • Pet friendly

  • Mountain biking

  • 5* Luxury

  • Kayaking

  • Disabled access

  • Windsurfing

  • Luxury

Facilities

  • Rooms

    44 rooms in this hotel
  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Sauna/Steam

  • Internet

  • Walking distance restaurants

  • Airport transfer

  • Car not required

  • Bar

  • Family Suites

  • Parking

  • Business Centre

  • Meeting Room

  • Good wine list

  • Babysitting

  • Laundry

  • Child friendly

  • Restaurant

  • Pet friendly

  • Views

  • Room service

  • Disabled access

  • Suites

  • Concierge

  • Satellite / Cable TV

  • Wifi

  • Air conditioning

Activities

  • Close to nightlife

    • The beach clubs of Viareggio are legendary. Enjoy world-class DJs and sea views as you dance the night away
  • Sights nearby

    • Viareggio's close proximity to both Pisa and Lucca mean the art and cultural tours can be easily arranged
  • Hotel Entertainment

    • The hotel puts on temporary art exhibitions
  • Sailing

  • Trekking

  • Other Activities

  • Climbing

  • Museums

  • Riding

  • Fishing

  • Golf

  • Watersports

  • Surfing

  • Kayaking

  • Windsurfing

  • Mountain biking

Map & Location

Other reviews

Hotel Plaza e de Russie

Originally published by The Telegraph

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