I can't say enough good things about the Palazzo Alexander hotel and its hard-working owner, Mario!
The entire staff is so friendly every time you walk through the door or come downstairs to ask a question. They made us (and especially my two-year-old daughter) feel more welcome than we have ever felt at any hotel. Mario would take the time to talk with us at breakfast and make sure we were well taken care of and knew how to best spend our time in and around Lucca.
The location too is fantastic. On a quiet street, but just two blocks from so many restaurants and the beautiful meeting place that is the Piazza San Michele in Foro. Also, a very easy walk to a cheap all-day parking lot right outside the walls (the hotel offered parking, but I was afraid of the cameras enforcing the limited traffic zone so I played it safe and left the car outside).
The room was beautiful and spacious, and even in 100F/37C weather, the air conditioning held up and kept it comfortable. Stay at the Palazzo Alexander Hotel and you'll have a wonderful home base in Lucca!