17 Best Hotels in Italy

This traditional stone house has been turned into an intimate bed-and-breakfast with three mini-apartments offering colorful, contemporary style while retaining evocative historical elements, including vaulted ceilings and exposed stone walls.

Artist Luca Giannini has designed two beautiful apartments in Modica Alta, oases of calm and style, which include an eclectic mix of traditional craft and modern art, serene outside spaces, and sleek modern kitchens. Compact but chic two-bedroom Casa Kimayà has intimate terraces with gorgeous views and cozy, understated rooms; while Residence Hortus marries 1554-built stone architecture and high-end detail with its botanical courtyards and three luxurious bedrooms, one with a round bed and corner tub.    

You'll experience refined upscale living on a landed aristocratic estate when you stay at this stylishly renovated villa surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The villa has been cleverly converted so that it can be rented as a whole (it sleeps 12) or as three separate apartments (sleeping two- to four people each) with a chef to provide all catering. Exposed stone walls—some taken from the site of Selinunte several hundred years ago when such things were not frowned upon—are combined with terra-cotta and ceramic tiles and wooden beams. Private terraces are accessible through contemporary glass doors, ensuring inner spaces are full of natural light. Many of the doors are antique—including an 18th-century carved oak door with a cat hole—while the tastefully tiled showers have hammam-style benches that invite long steamy soaks. Textiles are all exquisite and understated. The grounds include a magnificent saltwater swimming pool. Although all three apartments have independent entrances, the two apartments in the main house are separated by doors rather than walls.

This modern version of an albergo diffuso (scattered hotel) features rooms in five different traditional and colorful Burano houses, updated with design features created by local artisans and other Italian craftspeople. Since there's no central reception, guests check in at sister hotel Venissa, about a 10-minute walk; room rates also include breakfast at Venissa. Clean and contemporary guest rooms include oak floors and four-poster beds; tiled bathrooms have showers, while some also include tubs. Guests can also book personalized experiences with locals, such as lacemaking, gardening, and boating.

Friendly and energetic Federica has transformed this three-story property, owned by her family (of De Rossi patisserie fame), into some of the most stylish contemporary apartments—and one of the best values—in Verona, complete with kitchenettes. It's just out of town, in the Veronetta district, and these rentals offer oodles of Veronese neighborhood atmosphere: lots of students live here, and there are interesting local shops and eateries at the doorstep, yet you're still only a short walk to the banks of the Adige and the sights. There are no public areas—from the entrance it's straight upstairs to the apartments—but Federica is always helpful with tips, and she even runs small cookery courses and excursions for keen foodies.

A stylish, luxurious, and modernized apartment originally built in the early 19th century, Casa Sabir faces the historic open market of Ortigia, with balconies that open up onto the market and views of the Ionian Sea. The apartment has been tastefully restored using original materials and handmade bespoke furniture, and also has a huge kitchen with a steel island for those who want to cook using local produce from the market. In addition, the apartment has its own wine cellar that features wines from the island’s best vineyards. with a focus on organic, natural, and biodynamic wines. The owners of the apartment are also eco-conscious, using LED-lighting, water flow reducers, and a heat pump air-conditioning system.

While these accommodations may be too basic for some visitors, this homey apartment with terrace views near the castle is well maintained and perfectly positioned to explore the town. Breakfast is served at a local bar, and the handy kitchenette is ideal for putting together meals using the local produce. 

These two apartments are located within an elegantly modern restored home in the center of town with all the comforts and facilities needed, including a kitchen, coffee machine, free Wi-Fi, and sofa beds for extra occupants.

Two beautifully furnished, architect-renovated apartments within historic palazzi in the Centro Storico, with whitewashed coved ceilings, intriguing Pugliese crafts and fabrics, plus large comfortable beds. Apartment one has steep stone steps, the second is on the ground floor; both offer flexibility for one- to four or five occupants, by having an extra bathroom, alternative tea and coffee facilities, and divan beds.  

This rental apartment near the center of Mistretta allows you to stay directly in the old town, with basic but reasonably priced rooms and wonderful views from the terrace. 

Across the historic center of town, this albergo diffuso (scattered hotel) offers several private apartments, many in buildings that date back to the 16th century. The suites and rooms can accommodate up to four guests. While only some of the rooms have lake views, all offer a taste of village life.   Pick up the keys at the restaurant of the same name and stay for a strawberry spritz at one of the outdoor tables with spectacular lake views.

Located not far from the port, Lisola Residence offers complete tranquility in the form of charming, adults-only apartments that accommodate either two or four people, each retaining a degree of privacy from its neighbor. The apartments come equipped with air-conditioning, a kitchen with a coffee machine, and a barbecue and garden furniture for cooking and sitting outside. Public areas are scrupulously maintained, especially the lovely, partly paved garden from which views extend over the landscape, and within which nestles a decently sized swimming pool. If you don't want to cover the distance to or from the port, which takes less than 10 minutes on foot, the owners offer a free Jeep service. There's a minimum-stay period, from two nights in low season to a week in peak season.

Down a narrow lane near the castello, you'll find these four good-value, simply furnished apartments of various sizes with kitchenettes. Choose from two small studios, which share a cute rooftop terrace, a more spacious split-level one-bedroom, or the two-level family affair with a spare sofa bed. 

The second floor of this handsome 1930s palazzo in the modern Madonnella district near the lungomare houses spacious contemporary apartments with vibrant color-blocks, well-equipped kitchens, living spaces, comfortable bedrooms, and small balconies. The well-worn wooden front door may seem unimpressive but once inside a grand marble staircase leads to the accommodation which is managed by the charming, ever-helpful host Leonardo. 

In a prime position overlooking the port, this residence is the best option for spending a few days on Ustica. Each of the one- or two-room apartments comes with kitchenettes, and front-facing rooms have large windows for soaking up the harbor views. But the best features are the two large terraces with sunloungers arranged around a small pool and the irresistible vistas out to sea. Breakfast is also served on the panoramic terrace. The residence is just a few minutes' walking distance from Ustica's main square, and there's a shuttle bus to a private lido at the island's western tip. Guests must book a minimum of two nights.

About 2½ miles outside the main town, Villa Paradiso offers a collection of mountainside apartments that are great for groups or individual travelers who want to escape the hubbub. Each one has spectacular sea views of Vulcano and the Sicilian coastline (including Etna on a clear day)  from their private terraces. The staff can help arrange everything from treks and boat tours to bicycle and car rentals.

A striking white and artsy contemporary building on the lungomare offers a dozen spacious, immaculately whitewashed apartments that make for a fabulous beachside base.