585 Best Hotels in Italy

Within walking distance of both the Teatro San Carlo and the Centro Storico, this efficient, Marriott-affiliated business hotel has a lobby and guest rooms that are bright and airy. A nice plus here is the beautiful roof garden, where breakfast is served.

Although detached from the town's hubbub, this hotel is actually in a central location on Trapani's northern waterfront, with wonderful coastal views. The "studio" rooms are sleek and spacious and come with kitchenettes, and there's a garden, gym, and reading room. Best of all, generous breakfasts are served on a terrific roof terrace with panoramic views over town and the coast. It lies at one end of Via Torrearsa, so perfectly sited to participate in Trapani's boisterous evening passeggiata. There is secure parking, albeit 2 km (1 mile) away, linked to the residence by a free shuttle bus, or you can find your own parking space closer.

Magnificent valley views are paired with 19th-century charm at this property filled with paintings, antique furnishings, and period knickknacks. Don't be put off by the lack of modern comforts, the rather dark entrance, or the long flight of stairs—this is an intriguing and delightful place to stay.

Set in a former monastery—still an extraterritorial part of the Vatican—abutting Bernini's colonnade of St. Peter's Square, the Paolo VI (pronounced "Sesto," a reference to Pope Paul VI) is unbeatably close to St. Peter's, with basic, quiet guest rooms. Replete with a stone terrace that directly overlooks Bernini's 17th-century porticoes, this hotel enjoys one of the most spectacular perches in Rome. For a truly exceptional stay, ask for one of the six "Deluxe Superior" rooms.

Just steps away from the beach, this small, family-run lodging has a warm, friendly character, with public areas and guest rooms enlivened by colorful, Middle Eastern--style ceramic tiles. The side-street location means it's not subject to the bustle that can overwhelm the seafront, yet the town center is still close. Rooms are spacious and well-equipped (air-conditioning and fridges are welcome comforts), and breakfasts include homemade jams and pastries from San Vito's best pasticceria. Guests have access to a private beach, but spaces there are limited, so it's worth reserving when you make your booking. The hotel's location in the traffic-restricted part of town means that drivers can only stop for unloading, then park in the nearby facility (valet parking is available). Like most of San Vito's lodgings, there are minimum-night stays.

With a sleek minimalist design in a 17th-century palace and a convenient location in an increasingly trendy area not far from the train and bus stations, this boutique hotel caters to design aficionados on a budget. Rooms are cool, modern, and spacious—some have frescoed ceilings. The city's sights are within an easy walking distance—but the hotel's secure setting near an area populated by migrants and close to the red-light district may be off-putting to some.

This modern hotel has large, soundproofed rooms with contemporary furnishings, hardwood floors, and huge fluffy beds. Staffers go out of their way to make you feel at home. The vast breakfast spread has Italian and American foods as well as options for special diets. A rooftop terrace has great views of the city, and there's a small gym in the basement.

A 19th-century palazzo opposite a public garden in central Trapani has been converted to a comfortable hotel that provides pampering accommodation in swish surroundings. The imposing arched entrance opens onto a peaceful courtyard where breakfast and other meals are served, while, inside the building, antiques, chandeliers, and decorated ceilings emphasize its historic character. Guest rooms vary in size, and are either modern or antique—or a tasteful blend of both—and there's a small rooftop pool, best for a cooling dip or just soaking up the sun. The location is convenient: in the new town but within an easy walk of the old quarter, close to the train station, and steps away from Via Garibaldi, one of Trapani's main passeggiata routes. There's no hotel parking, but a capacious and inexpensive public car park is adjacent.

Like most hotels in Cosenza, the Royal caters mainly to a business clientele, yet it's nevertheless a good choice for a stopover: what it lacks in local flavor, it makes up for with excellent central location, functional yet dated rooms, and reasonable room rates.

With its heated seawater swimming pool in a tropical garden and guest rooms (some with sea views) with an attention to traditional design and modern amenities, this is considered one of Liguria's most luxurious resorts. On the terrace, candlelight dining and music are offered in warm weather. Keep your eyes open for off-season discounts. The Royal is only a few moments from the world-famous casino.

In a pleasant palazzo facing the Arno, a 10-minute walk from the Campo dei Miracoli, this hotel has room styles that range from the 1800s, complete with frescoes, to the 1920s; the most charming are in the old tower. This comfortably furnished property has been in the Piegaja family since 1837, and the continuity may help explain why such notables as Charles Dickens and Charles Lindbergh enjoyed staying here. Cocktails are served in the pretty rooftop garden.

Renaissance- and Baroque-style common areas are soaring spaces with Venetian terrazzo flooring, frescoed and exposed-beam ceilings, and Murano chandeliers; guest rooms tastefully mix historical style with contemporary furnishings and appointments. Even smaller rooms are quite comfortable, and some of the larger doubles and suites showcase paintings by Tiepolo's maestro, Gregorio Lazzarini. Suites are supplied with coffeemakers, bathrobes, and DVD players.

The sweeping views of the castle, the sea, and Mount Etna from this converted 14th-century Dominican monastery will linger in your mind, along with the equally memorable levels of luxury and wonderful food in the hotel's highly lauded restaurant, Principe Cerami. Rooms have a sophisticated contemporary design, exquisite linens, and ultramodern amenities. The San Domenico's Renaissance flavor is preserved by two exquisite cloisters, convent rooms, and sensuous gardens full of purple agapanthus flowers, bougainvillea, and 40 different varieties of citrus trees. An infinity pool with views of the sea and Etna clings to a cliff just below the gardens. In early 2022, the HBO series The White Lotus filmed its second season on the property. Aficionados may take a drink at the bar, but at a hefty price.

If you wish to stay in hilltop Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi, this efficiently run hotel provides airy and pleasant lodging and a good bed to fall into after a meal at Don Alfonso 1890 or a walk to the Deserto belvedere. The second floor on the road-side has a glimpse of a sea view, but for more stylish furnishings you should opt for the newer annex. The swimming pool is a welcome addition if you don't want to trek down for a dip at sea level. There's a quirky wee vintage motor museum.

Just a short walk from the old town, this well-kept and well-equipped hotel offers modern rooms with contemporary furnishings and spa and gym facilities. Some guest rooms are in a stylish annex 50 meters away, while the common areas in the lobby and outdoor garden have modern furnishings with pops of color. The staff are very helpful and knowledgeable and will arrange local tours for you.

Off the beaten path, this clean and comfortable hotel has been welcoming guests for more than 50 years. Though the exterior looks like nothing more than your average Roman apartment building, once inside you'll find that rooms are relatively spacious (if basic). The area itself offers plenty of parking, and the advantage of being so close to Testaccio is the abundance of great lounges, pizzerias, and nightlife.

Opened in 1996, I Sassi claims to be Matera's first "grotto hotel," with rooms inside a succession of caves that overlook the huddle of rooftops and stone stairs down to the valley floor of Sasso Barisano. Most guest rooms have terraces and windows with views across the canyon to the Romanesque cathedral on the skyline—they're equally spectacular at night, when all the houses are lit up.

Perched atop the Spanish Steps, this charming boutique hotel is so popular that it's often booked far in advance. If you're lucky enough to find a vacancy here, you'll enjoy stylish rooms, some of which are accentuated with cheery turquoise and yellow decor. You'll also have a chance to get some Rome insider tips from the friendly owner who is usually in a room near the front desk. The gorgeous rooftop is a wonderful spot to enjoy the free breakfast or a glass of wine.

Since it's a bit off the beaten path, Scicli doesn't have too many hotels, but a good choice to rest your head is Albergo Diffuso, which can best be described as a “dispersed hotel,” where rooms are located in different historic homes throughout the town. The houses are all recently restored and well-equipped; and largely concentrated in a 1,000-foot radius of Via Francesco Mormina Penna.

Across the road from the beach, this contemporary hotel offers sleek, stylish rooms with balconies; there's also a restaurant and fab bar perfect for sunset cocktails.  

At this quiet family-run hotel—a short walk from Citara Beach and the crowded Giardini Poseidon spa—each of the tastefully decorated rooms has its own theme; the best and most expensive rooms take advantage of the hotel's panoramic views from the upper-terrace wing. Breakfast is served on a terrace with a view of the sea, and, in the hanging gardens there are four swimming pools, including an infinity pool and one filled by geothermal aquifers 30 feet deep.

The tranquillity and flavors of Lake Iseo permeate through this relaxed retreat in the tiny village Sensole on car-free Monte Isola—nine simple rooms in a 19th-century palazzo have black and white contemporary decor and the best have sweeping lake views; or soak up the panorama from the top-floor terrace. The high-energy and hospitable team running the show, with Giovanni Lo Presti in the house and Giulio Pittioni helming the kitchen, met while working at Michelin-starred restaurants in the Veneto. Their culinary acumen includes house-made sourdough bread and pastries for breakfast alongside local jams, tasting menus with organic vegetables, and lake-caught fish in the restaurant, and an extensive cantina of regional and natural wines. Take a stroll along the placid waterfront and then unwind on a private beach among an olive grove (which also supplies Sensole's kitchen with olive oil), while lounging on oversized turquoise bean bags as you watch the sun set on the lake.

Though a tad old-fashioned, this elegant, centrally located hotel dating from 1884 with a magnificent spa is the most upscale accommodation in town. Sophisticated rooms are individually decorated, with lovely marble bathrooms, and offer views either over the town's rooftops or the Umbrian countryside. The formal in-house restaurant prepares Italian classics, while the bar in front offers outdoor seating in the summer with panoramic vistas. The pièce de résistance is the subterranean spa, including an indoor pool under medieval vaults and a clear, lighted bottom showcasing 3,000-year-old Etruscan ruins underneath.

This elegant palazzo is large enough to deliver expected facilities and services but small enough to pamper its guests; rooms have red-and-gold tapestry-adorned walls and carpeting and Carrara and Alpine marble in the bath, and those facing the Grand Canal have balconies. Common areas include an entrance hall with elegant marble flooring, a bright front lounge, and an intimate bar facing the Grand Canal. Ask ahead for a room with a view.

Located steps from the bustling southern end of Via del Corso in the former headquarters of the Singer Sewing Company, Singer Palace is a boutique hotel that offers convenient access to Rome's cultural and commercial hubs. Its great location and accommodating staff make it an ideal base for exploring the city's famous landmarks and indulging in shopping along Via del Corso.

Six Senses is known for a focus on 360-degree wellness and sustainability, and the brand's first Italian property is a delight: a luxurious, tranquil retreat in the center of one of the city's busiest neighborhoods, allowing guests to be in the middle of it all while opting out of the usual cacophony of the city center. Set inside a 15th-century palazzo, a monumental Carrara marble staircase connects the four floors of peaceful, earth-toned rooms that use a mix of luxurious natural materials to create small havens of comfort. The spa, which includes Roman-style baths, and a healthy modern restaurant keep to the theme of indulgent well-being.

On the shore boulevard opposite the Villa Las Tronas and 15 minutes from the airport, this grand, modern hotel (pronounced "Carlos Quinto") has an array of gardens and terraces, as well as a saltwater pool with sea views and a separate children's pool. The spa and wellness center offer a range of treatments, and there's a fully equipped gym and a tennis court.  Don't settle for a slightly cheaper room facing the back; the pleasure is all in the magnificent vistas from your spacious balcony.

Set in a refurbished 1902 Victorian palace, the Sofitel—which has a long-standing good reputation with business travelers—exudes old-world elegance with modern-design sensibility. The hotel is cleverly situated on a quiet street between the hot spots of Via Veneto and the Spanish Steps. The ethereal guest rooms are decorated in subdued tones with flowing white drapes and peeks of pastel frescoes. All feature amenities such as Diptyque toiletries, Bose stereo systems, and Nespresso machines. The rooftop restaurant, Settimo, is the perfect place to watch the sun set over the city.

Drawing inspiration from the neighborhood's artsy ethos, the first international hotel brand to open in San Lorenzo functions as a members club, with both traditional rooms and apartments. Amenities include wraparound balconies on every floor, a club restaurant that serves international cuisine, a spa, a state-of-the-art gym, a 42-seat screening room, a content-creation studio, and a rooftop terrace with a pool and outpost of Cecconi's with 360-degree panoramic views. Pets are accepted if they're certified as emotional support animals.

Although just a short walk from the Porta Messina on Corso Umberto, this modern and upbeat hotel is far enough away from the hubbub of the town to guarantee a peaceful night's sleep. The balconies of the airy and spacious guest rooms, the panoramic terrace where breakfast is taken, and the rooftop pool all pander to the view. Tuck into your breakfast pastries, sip your poolside cocktail, and soak it all up. And the staff couldn't be more pleasant.