Lucca and Orvieto accommodations

Christine, I stayed at La Magnolia in Lucca in July, it's in a 16th-century building, rooms on the ground and first floors. Breakfast is done by voucher at a nearby cafe. There's at least one single room, but it's tiny and there were some issues with the fan (the manager brought in a portable one). If you're staying for a short time, it's adequate, but I wouldn't recommend it for more than a few days. In Orvieto I stayed at Hotel Duomo, just around the corner from the Duomo. It was good, I would not hesitate to stay there again. I'm not familiar with the other Orvieto properties you mentioned.

Thanks. I should have mentioned that I will have a traveling partner, so we'll be looking at a double room. Thanks for your feedback.

We absolutely loved La Magnolia in Orvieto during our stay in 2008. Here's my review from tripadvisor.
"We so enjoyed our stay at the Magnolia. Serena is great and so easy to work with. We found the location perfectly central but quiet, the room with lovely frescoed ceilings and burnished wood floors was very clean and nice and the bathroom (also with a frescoed ceiling) had the best shower on our trip. All at a remarkable value. We also saw her larger unit which would be great for a longer stay. Serena's brothers own the small wine & coffee bar below and it's perfect for enjoying a glass of Orvieto wine and people watching. Only 2 minutes to the Duomo & 3 minutes to the farmers market. A great visit! " You go through a discreet door on the street next to the cafe and climb a flight of stairs. We had a room in the back that was so nice. The front rooms didn't look as charming. I think Serena, a younger woman with great English, lives upstairs and it's all very low-keyed. Breakfast is a coffee and pastry is in the cafe. We paid about 60 euros.

Here's another vote for La Magnolia in Orvieto. It was a great location, comfortable, and absolutely clean and fresh. We had one of the front rooms and enjoyed the view of a main thoroughfare through town. If you are arriving by train, buy a ticket at the train station which will cover both the funicular across the street from the train station and the bus at the top of the funicular. Take the bus to the Duomo and then walk a block to La Magnolia. In 2011 the rate was still 60 Euros per night.

Thank you for those replies. I am communicating with Serena at La Magnolia in Orvieto about reserving a room. I haven't had any luck yet with regard to Lucca - I received an email from La Magnolia there which indicated it would soon be under new management. Any recommendations for Lucca would be appreciated!

We have stayed at La Boheme in Lucca and really enjoyed it. And also stayed at La Luna on a Rick Steves Village Italy tour.

Can recommend the Hotel Melecchi in Lucca just outside the old walls.. Family-run, clean and spacious rooms.