Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Romantic Hotels

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We're going to Italy for a special occassion and we're looking for quaint, romantic hotels in Tuscany/Florence, Venice, and Rome. If anyone has any special romantic places they've been, I'd love to hear about them! Thanks! -Matt

You will likely get a lot of answers for Tuscany/Florence - - all my experience has been in villas (rentals), not hotels so I will defer on that one. But I will share this if you have plenty of bucks: what could be more romantic than the villa where "Much Ado about Nothing" was filmed?(why, oh why, did Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson have to fail in marriage!?) Find the property at http://www.tuscanynow.com/brochure/v...l_cenobbio.htm You can rent a room, an apartment a cottage or a (small) house there. As for the CITIES you mentioned, none is actually my idea of romantic - - keep in mind that all are bustling with tourists year-round - - when I think of romantic, I think of secluded. Now admittedly, it IS possible to feel like you have the world all to yourself on a moonlight midnight walk - - or better yet, a gondola ride in 'La Serenissima' (Venice). but the hotels thee are always a "bad bargain" and to find luxury, quiet and feel special, it will take a lot of money. Hotel Bonvecchiati is the best bet I know in Venice, but not the best in Europe. Want to try something rather different? In a little town called Orvinio (about an 1-1.5 hours east of Rome in the Rieti/Sabina region), there is an authentic 12th century castle run by an actual "Marchese" (like a count) and you can get rooms there by the night or the whole place (he will do weddings, for example, I think). It is funky, eclectic and not necessarily for someone who needs a lot of hand-holding (the Marchese speaks almost no English, though his French is passable). You can learn more at www.domani-usa.com/rome/orvinio.html This site is run by a guy named Larry Haase, and he is very nice. Feel free to tell him I let you know about this. (No, there are no commissions to me, and we are not in "cahoots" with each other). Feel free to write me if I can provide any further assistance. Rex

Hi Matt: Check out the Hotel Flora in Venice. Their website is: www.hotelflora.it We didn't stay there, but looked at while in Venice (we were only there one night this past trip), and decided that's where we'd stay next time. It's close to San Marco, small and charming, and very, very romantic. Carol

Dear Matt: Don't forget that people have different ideas of what is romantic. For example, I stayed in the Bonvecchiati in Venice with a large tour group, and while I think it's a pleasant hotel, I'd never call it romantic. The Hotel Flora has a lot more charm.

Matt - the Grand Hotel dei Dogi in Venice was featured in our local newspaper a couple of weeks ago - it looks lovely (and romantic) although I'm not sure of its proximity to San Marco, etc. Here's the web site: http://www.venere.it/venezia/grandho.../location.html

Matt: Our recent vacation started in Stresa on Lake Maggiore - Grand Hotel des Iles Boromees. Beautiful view of the lake, slow, quiet town. Wonderful islands to visit. As an aside, it was used as the hospital for Rock Hudson and Jennifer Jones in "A Farewell to Arms". Stupid, stupid movie, but fun to see our hotel on screen. It's a five-star hotel, yet quite reasonably priced. Great! In Gaiole in Chianti, we stayed at Castello di Spaltenna. This is a beautiful inn in every way. Very popular, so be sure to get reservations in advance. We loved it! Our room was huge, and included a jacuzzi. Located in an extremely quiet spot on a hill in Gaiole, surrounded by vineyards, walking trails, nice pool and a very helpful and friendly staff.

Matt - I usually stay at the Flora in Venice - it's a wonderfully central location but at the end of a dead end - so it's quiet. Difficult to get a reservation, though... If money isn't an issue, I love the Europa and Regina... In Tuscany, I like Relais la Suvera in Pievescola, or Borgo San Felice in Castelnuovo Berardenga. My last trip to Florence in October, I traveled around looking for a special hotel for a good friend who also has a "special occasion" coming up - and I went into all the well-known hotels. Ended up recommending the hotel I stayed at, the Lungarno, right on the Arno. Be sure to request a room with a terrace on the Arno, and you'll hate to leave it... In Rome, I like the Raphael with its roof top restaurant and location near the Piazza Navona and, again, if money isn't an issue, I'd stay at the Hotel Eden. But I found a glorious place about an hour and a half north of Rome (in Tuscany) called Il Pellicano in Porto Ercole. It's a Relais & Chateaux, right on the sea, with a spa, tennis court - it's another place you will hate to leave. Have a great time... Dona

I just returned from Venice and stayed at Hotel Giorgione. It was absolutely fantastic. We were given a deluxe double room for 220,000 lire/night (about $125/night), which was large, beautiful, and comfortable. The hotel left a bottle of champagne for us on the first night just to say thanks for staying there. We were extremely pleased with everything. I would highly recommend the hotel.

Gail, I'm glad to hear that the rooms at the Giorgione are so good. I remember stopping in a few years ago when it was refurbished, and really liking the public areas. The only hesitation I have about the hotel is that it's not as centrally located as other hotels - but Venice is so small and the neighborhood of the Giorgione is wonderful. I appreciate your comments... Dona