781 Best Hotels in Italy

This fabled medieval monastery was lauded by such guests as Longfellow and Wagner, and after a luxurious overhaul by the esteemed Anantara hotel group, it still retains its historic charm and features, including a celebrated Arab-Sicilian cloister and Baroque church. Once-stark monk cells are now comfy contemporary guest room cocoons, some with vibrant artworks and terraces (one suite features a vaulted ceiling with a 700-year-old fresco) and two restaurants provide fine dining and gourmet pizzas. The stunning terrace promenade, more than 1,000 feet long, holds the small yet glorious infinity pool, narrow herb gardens, and lemon groves, and time-burnished columns and clouds of bougainvillea frame timeless views of Amalfi's harbor. There's also an Anantara Spa with indoor and outdoor treatments, and staff can arrange visits to the neighboring town of Ravello, as well as sunset boat excursions along the coast toward Positano.  

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.    

In addition to guest rooms with four-poster beds and sweeping drapes, this 19th-century palazzo has a charming, flower-filled terrace where you can sip a glass of wine while taking in a view of Brunelleschi's cupola. Complimentary coffee, tea, and fruit are on hand all day in the comfortable sitting room; there's also an honor bar with both wine and spirits. Single rooms are large by Italian standards—a boon if you're traveling alone.

This minimalist boutique hotel looks like it has been plucked from the pages of a sleek magazine, and it should: it was designed by fashion icon Giorgio Armani to evoke the same sculptural, streamlined aesthetic—and tailored comfort—as his signature clothing. Room types range from deluxe (with metallic roll-top desks and soaking tubs) to posh two-story suites (replete with central staircase and living room). All have Armani bath amenities, and many have balconies; an iPad controls lights, curtains, and other tasks like ordering room service. Every guest is treated like a VIP, with extras like a "lifestyle manager"—appointed to each guest upon arrival to accommodate any request—and complimentary minibars stocked with soda, juices, and snacks. The restaurant affords floor-to-ceiling views of Milan's rooftops, and the spa encourages guests to customize their experience.

This swank place, with decor inspired by European design of the 1930s, is in a little piazza just minutes from Piazza Maggiore. Clean lines and elegant restraint are the hallmarks of the rooms, the lobby, even the elevators—and equally well-dressed people like to stay here. It's well worth paying extra to upgrade from a basic double, as other rooms are that much bigger. The ample breakfast includes eggs, and every evening the bar hosts a happy hour. Those considering a longer stay might want to avail themselves of one of two luxurious apartments in a nearby palazzo, where the effortless style of the Novecento prevails.

The location of this stylish and welcoming family-run hotel can't be beat: it's right around the corner from Piazza Maggiore on a quiet piazza. The inviting living room has Oriental rugs and comfortable couches. Rooms are mostly painted yellow, with hardwood floors, and some have antique clocks and tremendous views of 14th-century Palazzo Comunale just across the way. The ample breakfast includes fresh fruit, and the staff are uniformly friendly and professional. 

Most guest rooms here have balconies with spectacular views of Monte Bianco, and the plush fabrics, wood-burning stoves, and Alpine prints on the walls give the feeling of a cozy country inn. A massage in the hotel spa can be the perfect ending to a day of hiking or skiing.

This simple and utterly charming inn is a stone's throw away from the main train station (Piazza Principe), and is handily located near most sights. Rooms are large, beds are comfortable and many look out onto a very quiet courtyard, and there's an ample buffet breakfast. There's no on-site parking, but guests receive a discount at a local garage.

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.

Just a short stroll from Piazza San Marco—though on a quiet side street that seems a world away—this charming hotel will please those seeking traditional, though freshly updated, Venetian decor in an ultraconvenient location. Each room is done up differently, though all feature period furnishings, Murano glass chandeliers, and patterned wallpaper. To truly feel like royalty, stay in the Sansovini Lagoon View or San Giorgio Terrace suites; they contain enormous private terraces where the views of rooftops and water last for miles. All gleaming marble and with double sinks, some bathrooms have deep soaking tubs or even double showers. Dellaluna bath products amp up the sophisticated feel. Canova Restaurant by Sadler offers a Venetian tasting menu with some creative flourishes as well as a vegetarian tasting menu, along with a large selection of à la carte dishes. There's also a brand-new spa with steam baths, a relaxation area, and massage rooms.

Opened in 1925 and still run by the same family, the Bellevue provides timeless charm, gracious hospitality, delectable cuisine, and a second-to-none spa, along with astounding views of the Gran Paradiso, the highest mountain entirely within Italy. Individually decorated rooms have wood floors and are furnished with antiques; some have balconies, Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces, or saunas. Le Petit Bellevue, with only five tables, serves Aosta Valley specialties; Bar à Fromage focuses on (what else) cheese, with superlative fondue, raclette, and meat dishes; Bellevue serves creative Italian cuisine; and La Brasserie de Bon Bec creates more informal plates to be shared. Ask for a tour of the expansive wine cellar, which stores about 15,000 bottles, along with the cheese cellar—and, if the weather’s nice, don’t miss dining on the enormous terrace overlooking the mountains. The very unique spa is another must-do, with two heated swimming pools, a wide range of saunas including mountain pine, citrus, and hay, a salt cave, and a compact fitness center.

On a princely perch overlooking the town, the Greek theater, and the bay, this truly grand hotel, Taormina's oldest, wears a graceful patina that suggests la dolce vita, with a splash of Baroque and a dash of Mediterranean design in the lobby, which has tile- and brickwork walls and vaulted ceilings. Fine linens and drapes, Oriental rugs, and gilt-framed prints decorate the rooms, which all have balconies or terraces—many with a panoramic outlook. A meal at the restaurant or a drink on the terrace also comes with one of Italy's most memorable vistas.

With amazing service, wonderful rooms, fab restaurants, and a large pool and spa—all just a five-minute boat ride from Piazza San Marco (the hotel water shuttle leaves every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day)—the Cipriani is Venetian luxe at its best. Those craving A-lister exclusivity can splash out on a lavish suite facing San Marco in the adjoining Palazzo Vendramin.

In a prime location on its own private beach at Taormina Mare, this elegant hotel in a late-1800s villa offers phenomenal views of the water, attentive service, and luxurious and comfortable guest rooms. The main perk is access to a glorious private beach; cabanas are available to rent for a fee. Sparkling off-white guest rooms all have balconies or terraces, most with sea views. There's also a heated infinity pool, a small spa, and a fitness center. A free shuttle service runs to Taormina (about 15 minutes away) every half hour in season, and there are free boat tours in summer.

This centuries-old villa has old-fashioned guest rooms that are lovingly decorated with antique quilts and handmade wooden furnishings yet are also equipped with modern appliances. The owners are authorities on the surrounding area and happily draw maps and suggest wine-tasting and touring routes. Follow signs for San Marcellino Monti to get here.

This small, rustic-chic hotel between Assisi and Gubbio, dating from 1266 but thoroughly modernized inside, is a relaxing base for exploring the pretty Umbrian countryside. Spacious rooms feature beamed ceilings and stone walls; some have kitchens, soaking tubs, and terraces. Many rooms can be connected and equipped with extra beds for children—perfect if you’re traveling with family. Osteria Panicaglia’s chef, who hails from Naples and has cooked around the world, prepares delicious gourmet lunches and dinners that incorporate local ingredients, including herbs and vegetables from the hotel’s garden. In summer, you can enjoy the Borgo’s outdoor pizza oven, outdoor cinema, and last but not least, the expansive swimming pool. Note that there's a seven-night minimum stay in July and August.

Although it lies just a five-minute drive from Porto Empedocle, and less from Marinella beach, Borgo delle Pietre feels as if it is in a world apart, set among olives and vineyards, with the only sounds those of birdsong and goat bells. A former inn, it is built of the same stunning white stone as Scala dei Turchi and the cliffs of Torre Salsa—some of the stones are encrusted with glinting crystals of salt and selenite. There are just eight minimalist rooms, with white walls, biscuit-glazed terra-cotta floors, custom-built natural wood beds, majolica tiled, resinated cement bathrooms and beautiful heavy handmade linen upholstery and cushions in subtle shades of blue, bronze, sage and ocher. The central courtyard is a wonderful place to sit with an early morning coffee or predinner drink, though other outdoor spaces appeal as well—such as the pool, with a shaded pavilion for summer lunches, and a tiny hidden away courtyard perfect for a quiet solo read in the shade. The restaurant is open to clients only, with daily changing fish and meat menus. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus are available on request.

Spread across five buildings, this elegant lodging used to be a small medieval town, but now it's given over to luxury, which is immediately apparent upon entering the reception area—white walls, high vaulted ceilings, and furniture covered in exquisite chintz prints mingle with tasteful etchings and watercolors. Rooms have tile floors, spacious bathrooms, and windows that open out onto peace and tranquillity. The Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Poggio Rosso, serves Latin-influenced Italian cuisine.

Nestled in the verdant hills between Lacco and Forio, Botania is a serene, chic retreat with white washed lodges in beautiful grounds dotted with pools, olive-arbored corners, and top-notch facilities. The spacious rooms and villas have muted earthy color palettes and botanical-theme touches, many with private, covered verandas. Within the extensive grounds there are places to gather—poolside bars, three restaurants including the covered alfresco Il Corbezzolo, where the abundant breakfast is taken, as well as secluded spots for quiet sunbathing and contemplation.      

This lovely little guesthouse on the seafront promenade of Noli is stylishly done with wood floors, uncluttered white walls with splashes of bright colors, and modern decor. A bountiful breakfast is served in a cheerful dining and sitting room, and a nice beach club owned by the same family is just across the road. There's a two- or three-night minimum stay outside the winter months, and children are not accommodated.

One of the city's most intimate and elegant getaways blends terrazzo floors, dramatic Murano chandeliers, and antique-style furnishings with contemporary touches, particularly in the African-wood reception area and breakfast room. Impressively, five dramatic "concept rooms" take on themes from Venetian history; the Doge's Room is draped in deep-red brocades, while the Oriental Room is inspired by the travels of Marco Polo.

Long a magnet for the beautiful people, this hyperglamorous Marriott Luxury Collection hotel was designed by Jacques Couëlle to evoke a traditional Mediterranean village, complete with its own bay and covered bridge; the exterior is complemented by a rustic-elegant interior with beamed ceilings, terra-cotta floors, Sardinian arts and crafts, and porticoes overlooking the Cala di Volpe Bay. There's an Olympic-size saltwater pool, boat service to a private beach, and access to the Pevero Golf Club. Summer prices are high (€1,000 and up), but discounted rates are available with loyalty points and in low season.

For the cognoscenti, famous or otherwise, this is the place to stay in Anacapri, thanks to its spa, designer boutique, exceptional restaurants, suites with private pools, and rooms with art or film themes (ask for the Monroe, Callas, or Warhol). The Capri Beauty Farm operates from here. If you can tear yourself away from the hotel, you can avail of one of their private boats. The entrance is hidden behind a long hedge as you leave the town for Villa San Michele, with a corridor of windows showing underwater swimmers and an installation by sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro.

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.

Beautifully restored trulli complex set within wild-flower meadows, wheat fields, and woods, wonderfully warm host Marilù's agriturismo offers instant relaxation, simple yet cozy, rustic domed-ceiling rooms and a flowery courtyard and kitchen for all to use at any time. Here you'll find simple rural Pugliese life and pleasures, exploring the fields and country lanes on foot or bicycle, and perhaps popping by the local farm for fresh cheese and eggs.

Ron and Susi Gaud have transformed an 18th-century town house into a cozy little B&B nestled in the heart of Barga. Most rooms, simply yet elegantly furnished, have tremendous views of the dramatic mountainscape a stone's throw away. A welcome drink and a chat with Ron and Susi (whose love for their adopted town is infectious) is the perfect way to start a stay. A flower- and vegetable-filled garden provides a wonderful place to sunbathe or enjoy a glass of wine; there's an outdoor table covered by vines that offers a terrific spot for a light snack. Breakfast, served in the cantina, features Susi's homemade pastries. This is a great base to enjoy the delights of Barga as well as hiking in its environs: Ron and Susi, ardent hikers, are quite knowledgeable about paths in the area.

Set on the fringe of the Kasbah and built within the Norman fortifications, this quirky, unconventional little hotel is ideal for anyone who wants to inhabit a piece of Mazara’s multilayer history. It still retains a secret passage leading straight to the port (though sadly this is closed for safety reasons) along with a medieval chapel, and it's been built around an Arabic-style garden courtyard with whitewashed walls, ceramic tiles, and a well. Part of the house is Renaissance, part of it Art Nouveau, with rooms decorated throughout in the style of a shabby chic Sicilian stately home. Breakfast is served in the courtyard in good weather and in the Renaissance dining room in bad. This will appeal to adventurous travelers who value authenticity and quirkiness over faultless functionality, power showers, and super-fast Wi-Fi.

You don't have to venture far out of Nuoro to appreciate its magnificent mountainous setting, and mountain views don't get much grander than from this excellent lodging immersed in the oak forests of Monte Ortobene. Despite its simple rural character, you'll find all the comforts you could wish for, with bright, spacious guest rooms and modern en suite bathrooms. Two of the rooms have access to a broad terrace with far-reaching views across the valley—perfect for relaxing with a book or for a spot of yoga. The delicious breakfasts include homemade pastries and yogurt, and the hospitable Sard-French hosts are full of advice for explorations farther afield.

This authentic rural accommodation on the Centonze olive oil estate rings is a short drive from the coast and from the temples of Selinunte. The two big pools—one with a 500-year olive tree beside it—along with the children’s pool, small playground, and little farm zoo (home to geese, goats, tortoises, chickens, and ducks) make this an ideal choice for families. Rooms are in clusters of whitewashed outbuildings, each with its own terra-cotta-tiled terrace. The restaurant is open every evening and for Sunday lunch, with a daily changing fixed menu, and olive oil tastings can be arranged.

For a taste of old-school Italian glamour just outside of Merano, you can’t do better than this elegant Relais & Chateaux property high up in the mountains, set amid 4 acres of gardens and featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant and spa that both use products sourced from the land. Enormous individually decorated suites boast country-chic decor, sitting rooms, and terraces or balconies; some of the spacious bathrooms include claw-foot tubs and infrared saunas. Guests can choose from the more gourmet Prezioso restaurant for dinner or the lighter-style Orangerie, which offers a large panoramic terrace, for lunch or dinner. Amid the lovely gardens, you’ll find a heated pool, whirlpool, and freestanding fitness center, while the cozy spa includes three saunas and a steam room—as well as treatments from the hotel’s very own “modern alchemist,” who creates bespoke creams and lotions using plants and herbs from the very same gardens.