La Lucertola

The pool was a welcome way to cool down on hot summer days, and we loved the panoramic view over the Tuscan hills, the valley and Pisa in the distance. We spent two weeks at La Lucertola and had a great time. Luisa and Collin were kind and helpful whenever we had questions, and made us feel at home. The houses were comfortable and well equipped, with room for up to 13 people. We made delicious fresh pizza in the outdoor wood oven and had a fantastic cooking class. Pisa and Lucca are close, with the rest of Tuscany nearby too, so it's a great base for exploring the region. Highly recommended!

The house was comfortable and had everything we needed: good beds, clean bathrooms, a big kitchen and a cozy living room. It stayed easy to keep cool inside despite the summer heat. We also made plenty of use of the refreshing pool, shady terrace and typical pizza oven. The view and setting were amazing, and the location is ideal, about half an hour from both Pisa and Lucca. Collin and Luisa were kind and considerate, and helped with every question. We really enjoyed our stay at La Lucertola guesthouse, just as we'd hoped. The drive up to the house is steep and quite an adventure each time, but you get used to it after a few trips.

The view is the one truly luxurious part of La Lucertola. You can see the leaning tower of Pisa in the distance, and it's spectacular. The property is reached by a moderately steep road with five switchbacks. We managed it, but I'd strongly suggest a smaller car. We booked because the photos and reviews praised the hospitality, especially the hosts. Luisa and Colin welcomed us warmly and kindly did some shopping for us before we arrived. But a few days into our 12-day stay, they went on vacation and left their university-aged son in charge. He had invited quite a few university friends to stay at the property for two weeks. We'd have much preferred having his parents' excellent hosting for our whole visit. Inside, the master bed was pretty good. It's two beds pushed together, which worked well for my wife and me. The pull-out beds in the sitting room were comfortable too. The master bathroom was fine though a little cramped; the second was more spacious and had a tub, but the step in the middle of the night is a serious tripping hazard. There was plenty of water. Even with walls two feet thick, though, the unit gets brutally hot in high summer. The photos are technically accurate, but the place has aged since they were taken. Everything feels a bit tired except the washing machine. There are plenty of signs of home-style maintenance: the kitchen sink was poorly caulked, the screens dirty, doors ill-fitting, and the emergency pull cord in the master shower was black with mildew. Most rooms are dark and poorly lit, and the stairs to the second floor are narrow and steep. If you're six feet tall, you have to crouch a bit at the bottom landing. By the end, the pool water was so murky we chose not to swim. There were 24 guests using the pool every day, and it wasn't cleaned once. Watch your step on the deck too, since some boards are lifting and could catch or cut a foot.

The house made a great base for day trips to Pisa, Luca, Florence, and Siena, and we could easily get to Luca and Pisa for dinner too. We spent a week there and had an amazing time. Colin and Luisa were lovely hosts, always ready with recommendations or help when we needed it. The valley view from the house and pool is stunning, you could keep looking at it. We hope to come back :-)