781 Best Hotels in Italy

Founded as a convent in 1222, allegedly by St. Francis of Assisi himself, the hotel has coved ceilings, graceful arches, marble columns, Flemish artwork, religious artifacts, antique furnishings, and mosaic flooring—all of which blend seamlessly with modern comforts. Past guests include Otto van Bismarck, Benito Mussolini, Ingrid Bergman, and Tennessee Williams. One of the restaurants and its bar are in the 15th-century Saracen tower, perched on a rock over the sea, providing a view that spans from Capo dei Conca to Capo d'Orso. The famed southern Romanesque cloisters and the beautiful Baroque chapel form the heart of the hotel, which has been owned by the Barbaro family since 1822. Below the tower is a solarium and seawater pool. Ask for a room in the renovated wing, and try to get one with a balcony over Amalfi's bay.

Private terraces with views of the Arno and the Palazzo Vecchio are among the draws in many of this hotel's accommodations. One studio suite in a 13th-century tower preserves details like exposed stone walls and old archways, and looks over a little square with a medieval tower covered in jasmine. The chic interiors approximate breezily elegant homes, with lots of crisp, white fabrics with blue trim.

This ultrastylish all-suites boutique hotel in a former perfume factory has Italian-designed furnishings; paintings by local Brera Academy artists; and sleek, white accommodations—each with its own signature scent (such as fruity, woodsy, or floral) and all overlooking one of two tranquil courtyards. Brightly colored leather couches, king-size beds, and oversize bathrooms round out some of the in-room amenities. Although there's no lobby per se, the library hall is a comfy space to read a book or get some work done. The well-regarded on-site restaurant, Da Noi In, turns out creative modern Italian dishes, and it's only a short stroll to the Navigli canal side streets for more dining and people-watching options.

This hotel graces a coastal promontory, once the site of fisherman's cottages, in Amalfi town itself, so many of the rooms and the breakfast terrace have dreamy views. The heavily trafficked seaside road in front might seem like a deal killer, but because the Marina Riviera is on a bend, traffic is never too fast. By the time you ascend to the hotel's second floor, you might even imagine that you've escaped into a cocoon, one that's decorated with antique furniture, 18th-century ceramics, and vintage photos. And you'll feel right at home, thanks to the Gargano family, who greet you in the welcoming coved-ceiling reception area. Owner Antonio prides himself on his buffet-style breakfast. Each guest room is different, with ceramic fittings in the bathrooms. A thalasso pool and steam bath has recently been opened on the third-floor solarium.

On a side street around the corner from one of Rome's most impressive piazzas, this friendly hotel has polite and professional staff, public spaces styled with contemporary art, and guest rooms with wood fixtures and furnishings accentuated by warm colors. The intimate lounges and charming bar follow the same scheme, as does the breakfast room, where a generous American breakfast buffet is laid out in the morning, complete with complimentary newspapers.

Combining understated old-world charm and contemporary chic—and blessed with a garden with citrus trees, sweeping bay views (ask for a room with a balcony), and beach access—Hotel Mediterraneo seems worlds away from bustling Sorrento, though it's just a 1-km stroll from town. There's dining and quaffing in style with panoramic views from both the Vesuvio restaurant and Vista Sky Bar, plus a pool and the relaxing LePietre spa facilities. 

This independent hotel provides tidy accommodations in the style you might expect in a chain aimed at business travelers, but the name and ambience of the hotel are much more connected to the town's local spirit. It's thanks to Anassila, the tyrant who ruled Reggio, that Messina got its name sometime around 491 BC, in honor of his homeland (Messenia) in Greece. And he was given the right to mint money, coins called Messenion, which were vital to the growth of trade in the area. 

This trendy boutique hotel boasts a prime location, with the main shopping street of Corso Umberto on one side and sea views on the other. Modern touches abound in the 17th-century building, with bright, airy rooms done up in light colors with contemporary furnishings; most are suites, including a terrace spa suite with a Jacuzzi ideally sited on a panoramic terrace. You can hear live jazz in the attractive bar most evenings. In season, take advantage of the infinity pool, or head to the private beach—just a free 10-minute shuttle ride away.

A sense of freshness comes from the terra-cotta floors, high wood-beamed ceilings, and soothing whitewashed walls in this hotel's guest rooms. The serene garden, facing the town wall, is filled with oleanders, geraniums, and olive trees.

A cozy hotel just a stone's throw from Termini Station sounds like some sort of a miracle, and yet, the Morgana welcomes guests with classically designed accommodations and friendly smiles. Rooms feature kitschy striped walls, comfy beds, flowing drapes, satellite TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is abundant, and there's free access to a fitness center in the Hotel Ariston, a sister hotel that's just across the street. 

The relaxed country-house elegance and comfortable rooms at this spa hotel are a sharp contrast to the brisk and clinical atmosphere of the Terme dei Papi spa itself, which bustles with doctors, bathers in bathrobes, and uniformed staff. Breakfast, a sumptuous buffet, is taken in a wood-beam gallery overlooking a small garden. Hotel guests have free access to the pool, as well as a 15% discount on all spa treatments.

On a rock jutting dramatically above the tiny cove of Marina dei Praia and overlooking a Saracen tower and coastal ridges, this popular, picturesque hotel has gorgeous flower-fringed terraces, elegantly designed bedrooms, and public areas with panoramic glass walls and marble flooring; nearby is the plush Villa Corallium, which provides six additional gorgeous "modern classical" rooms, with either terrace sea or garden views.  A path winds down to the beach, where daily boat excursions leave for Positano, Capri, and Ischia.

With much the same views as the multimillion-dollar villas nearby, this small family-run Praiano pad is a great-value option. True, you're right on the main road, but the tile-floor guest rooms are white and clean, the private balconies are spacious, and the informal, vine-covered restaurant serves up tasty fare with sublime vistas.

This hotel, in a building dating from the 12th century, has public rooms with timbered ceilings, warm yellow walls, and brocaded chairs and guest rooms with high ceilings and still more of that glorious damask. Top-floor suites have sweeping views of the town. One suite is on the mezzanine floor but also has city views.

Formerly the Grillo family palace, this sumptuously comfortable boutique hotel integrates architectural details from the 1500s to the 1700s—like an original marble entryway and staircase, frescoed ceilings, and frieze details in some rooms—with clean-lined modern luxury. All of the furniture has been handpicked and combines vintage pieces with those from some of Italy's best designers, with an emphasis on minimalism and surprising pops of color. Public spaces such as the ballroom-size living room, billiards room, and top-floor terrace add to the appeal.

This 16th-century family palazzo has been beautifully restored, with inviting public spaces and handsome guest quarters where contemporary surroundings are accented by old beams, vaulted ceilings, and other distinctive touches. This hotel is often preferred by local winemakers and other professionals for its updated look. With a convenient location near the church of San Giovanni, it's a lovely, short walk past Piazza della Repubblica to the Duomo.

There's an air of seclusion and a respite from hectic San Remo in these bright, well-equipped rooms—some with balconies and sea views—that face a quiet, palm-fringed garden and pool. The hotel is surrounded by manicured grounds and an adjacent, lush public park. A pleasant restaurant offers a fixed-price menu for lunch and dinner, or a variety of à la carte options. There's a four-night minimum stay in July and August.

This small hotel below the old town, run by the amiable and ever-helpful Massimo and family, has simply furnished modern rooms, making it a good base to explore the surrounding Madonie Mountains. 

In 1288, this diminutive property overlooking the coastline housed an order of Augustinian friars; today the intact cloister hosts travelers intent on enjoying themselves under the coved ceilings of the former eremitani scalzi (shaved hermit) cells. Ancient, ivy-covered stone arches and a tiled walkway lead to a cozy interior that still feels like a retreat. In the garden, sun loungers, a fishpond, and alfresco dining all share the vista.

This pleasant and affordable family-run hotel in a quiet residential area outside the old city center is pleasantly set amid a grove of olive trees. Some of the spacious rooms, though a tad dated, have views of the city. Adjacent parking is ample and free.

A rambling farmhouse has been transformed into a handsome hotel with understated contemporary furniture in the bedrooms and country-classic motifs in the bar. From this charming spot you get a splendid view of San Gimignano's towers.

Sea-view rooms at this small hotel along the promenade have nice little balconies, and there's a terrace perfect for enjoying the sunset and vistas of France. Many of the clean and simple accommodations have been updated in a pleasantly contemporary style.

Ask for a room on the third floor.

Viareggio's first hotel—opened in 1871 to host those on the Grand Tour, as well as many Russians who stayed for extended periods—still exudes old-world charm, even though it's been completely updated to suit 21st-century tastes. Public rooms filled with lovely brocaded furniture provide the perfect place to have an aperitivo. Guest rooms have high ceilings, large windows with damask drapes, and hard-wood floors; bathrooms are surprisingly large. La Terrazza, the top-floor restaurant, has views of the sea and a creative young chef whose innovative, tasty food makes a stay here even more worthwhile.

Situated in a remodeled Renaissance palazzo with one of the prettiest patio-courtyards in Rome, this hotel is a relaxing retreat close to Campo de' Fiori and Trastevere. Rooms have cherrywood accents, recessed lighting, and luminous marble floors. Some overlook the garden of the historic Palazzo Spada, and others offer a distant glimpse of the cupola of St. Peter's Basilica. Some suites have whirlpool tubs and balconies. The rooftop terrace is a great place to contemplate the city's skyline.

The Poseidon is more than just another family-run hotel with an amazing view and a terrace thanks, in no small part, to the pergola-dappled panoramic terrace with restaurant, cocktail bar, and pool, and their Beauty Center L'Onda with its gym, Turkish bath, and treatments. All rooms have private terraces, most overlooking the bay—and a range of events can be organized, from boat rides to group excursions to weddings.

Here, you'll find all the exquisite trappings of a traditional luxury hotel: lavish mirrors, drapes, and carpets; and some of the city's largest guest rooms, outfitted with eclectic fin de siècle furnishings. The Mosaic rooms (named for the glass mosaic panels in their ample bathrooms) are even larger, and the three-bedroom Presidential Suite features its own marble pool and spa. The Principe bar is an elegant aperitivo spot, and the Acanto restaurant has garden seating and is open from breakfast to dinner. Lighter food is served in the lobby bar Il Salotto.

Contemporary art mixed with antique furnishings, creamy marble floors, and vaulted ceilings evoke a luxurious private home in a residential area near Palermo's glitzy shopping district. It's easy to get comfortable in the understated surroundings; relax in the library with an aperitif, or have a workout in the fitness room. Rooms are simple yet elegant, with fine linens, soothing neutral colors, and more modern art.

The grand former home of a musician and composer, this 18th-century villa perched on a fragrant hillside above white-sand beaches has since had a wing added, creating a wonderful retreat from the crowds at the water's edge. Lush gardens, beautiful views, and a natural grotto with Jacuzzi and bar are among the amenities, and free parking is available.

Hidden away from the Positano crowds, a short passeggiata away from the hydrofoil port, lovely host Gabriella and her long-serving team run a laid-back but well-run hotel blessed by Spiaggia Fornillo beachside bliss, with 34 tiled suites and practical bathrooms with balconies and facilities galore including restaurant, bar and bathing services. Ground floor standard rooms have traditional tiles and are a little noisier as near the restaurant and path; while first and second floors offer more peace, modern tiled-style with more space and grandstand private terrace views over the sunbeams, waves and coastline.   

Although some visitors say it's resting on past laurels and is in need of renovations, Raya is perfectly in keeping with the elite style of Panarea—discreet and expensive, with a pool and terrace that enjoy views over the sea toward Stromboli. Public areas, including an open-air rooftop restaurant, are right on the port. Guest rooms occupy separate areas higher up the hill, with serene sea views from their balconies and a Moorish-inspired design to create a calm retreat.