135 Best Hotels in Italy

This exquisitely restored and furnished Art Nouveau palazzo is perhaps the most improbable hotel on the entire island of Sicily: it sits in the heart of Montallegro, a humble agricultural town with not many tourist highlights, yet the Briuccia and its fine-dining restaurant are special enough to deserve consideration as your main base for exploring this part of the island. It’s an easy driving distance of Agrigento, Scala dei Turchi, and Torre Salsa, and inland, you’ll find unspoiled landscapes where pointed peaks rise above undulating hills planted with olive and almond groves. With beautiful wallpapers, wooden staircases, beamed ceilings, encaustic tiled floors, and antique furniture, rugs, and mirrors, Briuccia is a little world of its own. The former courtyard has been transformed into a winter garden, where dinner and breakfast are served. There are just five rooms, the highlight being the suite with its own terrace (and hydromassage bath) on the top floor. Owner/chef Damiano Ferraro also runs cooking classes for guests. For breakfast, guests are presented with an elegant platter of seasonal fruit, yogurt, and delicious sweet and savory Sicilian morsels.

A refined and comfortable country house offers numerous sitting rooms with terra-cotta floors and attractive stonework, as well as wood-beamed guest rooms filled with simple wooden furnishings and handwoven rugs. The grounds, flanked by vineyards and olive trees, are equally inviting, with lawns, terraces, and a pool. The Ristorante Vignale serves excellent wines and local specialties like cinghiale in umido con vin cotto (wild boar stew flavored with wine). 

Bellosguardo (meaning "beautiful view") is perched atop a hill minutes from the viale, and reached via a narrow road dotted with olive trees. The reception area has soaring ceilings with frescoes by Francavilla (1553–1615). Guest rooms are simple and pleasing. Proprietor Signor Franchetti keeps a small menagerie on the grounds (including donkeys, rabbits, and chickens), and maintains a beautiful, peaceful garden, to which guests have access.

This laid-back contemporary guesthouse above Venissa’s osteria is the perfect place to enjoy a food- and wine-centric getaway far from the hectic Venetian mainland. Modern, light-colored rooms have beamed ceilings, wood floors, and comfortable beds; bright large-sized bathrooms include standalone showers. To complete the gourmet experience, be sure to reserve a table in Venissa’s popular restaurant or osteria well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Scotts David and Catherine Gardner transformed a ramshackle, 16th-century villa into a retreat where no two rooms are alike—all have stenciled walls; some have four-poster beds, others small mezzanines. Bathrooms are a riot of color, with tiles from Vietri. The second floor, with a cozy fireplace, is the perfect place for a cup of tea or a glass of wine. The hotel's restaurant and its talented chefs offer cooking lessons in the modern kitchen.

Renaissance gardens, beautiful rooms with high ceilings and elegant furnishings, a panoramic pool, and expert staff are just a few of the things that make a stay at this 16th-century villa memorable. A short walk outside the small town of San Casciano Val di Pesa—with bus service to Florence—Il Poggiale sits on a ridge with spectacular views of the Chianti hills. An excellent breakfast is served on an outdoor terrace in fine weather, and the hotel's restaurant provides a buffet of antipasti along with a menu of Tuscan dishes for guests in the evening. The numerous public sitting rooms are intimate and cozy, and a small spa, with a sauna, massage room, and whirlpool tub complete the picture.

Once the home of the Viviani della Robbia family, this 16th-century villa in a grove of ancient cypress trees retains many aspects of a private country dwelling, including homey guest quarters. The honor bar allows you to enjoy an aperitivo (Italian happy hour) on the terrace while admiring the views, of which there are many. Guest rooms have white-plaster walls, timber ceilings, and some tile floors. The restaurant uses fresh produce from the owner's farm in western Tuscany.

Patrizia and Paolo run this homey upscale B&B in a handsome stile-Liberty (Italian Art Nouveau) palazzo on the well-to-do Vomero hill. Breakfast of home baking and relaxation revolves around the kitchen and adjoining cozy lounge; most guest rooms have tasteful decor although some corners look dated and have odd layouts; overall a lovely, homey reliable spot, with a chic suite with a Jacuzzi.

Spending time at this charming guesthouse secreted away down narrow Calle Racheta near the Ca' d'Oro vaporetto stop is like staying with a friend: service is warm and helpful, with lots of suggestions for dining and sightseeing. Attractively appointed guest rooms overlook canals or the spacious enclosed garden and patio—a perfect spot to scribble postcards.

An open-hearth fireplace and hand-hewn stone porticoes hark back to the 13th century, when this was a fortress, and although it's now a small hotel with modern amenities, including a beautiful outdoor pool, the traditional tone is maintained by the wood-beamed ceilings and simple, country-style furniture. The scent of lavender and rosemary wafts from the gardens, and all rooms have soothing views of the surrounding vineyards and hills.

This rustic farm stay and restaurant is a few miles out in the countryside beyond Polizzi, but a stay here gives you a sense of tranquility and the opportunity to admire the beautiful landscape of the Madonie.

This family-run agriturismo is set on a working farm surrounded by gently rolling hills, 4 km (2½ miles) southwest of Corleone. The farmhouse dates from the 19th century and has warm-color guest rooms that brim with character (one has a vaulted ceiling and a four-poster bed) and are equipped with air-conditioning and private bathrooms. There's also a self-catering apartment that can accommodate a family. For many, the best part of staying here is the evening meal, when large portions and numerous courses of rustic fare are served, so half- or full-board is definitely recommended. There's a small swimming pool, and horseriding is available for beginners or experts.

Understated Venetian decor, original exposed-beam ceilings and terrazzo flooring, and large rooms suitable for families or small groups are hallmarks of this intimate, family-owned guesthouse. Guest rooms overlooking tranquil side canals are the best in terms of size and view. The spacious common salon overlooks the Rio San Sofia. The location is serene, but only a short street away from the main Cannaregio thoroughfare (Strada Nova), the Ca' d'Oro vaporetto stop, the traghetto across to the Rialto Market, and the San Marco area. Al Palazzetto is also good for small groups or families, as there are triple and quad rooms; some are connecting. Spring for the attic suite if it's available.

The renovated home of owner Eleonora behind the Fenice Opera House offers three spacious, comfortable, and conscientiously appointed rooms; each has its own private bath and overlooks a gondola-filled canal. The largest room has a broad balcony. An ample breakfast (served at a common table) and exceptional service make Al Teatro an excellent value and a relaxing choice in the sometimes-frenetic San Marco atmosphere. Book well in advance.

This charming hotel with a friendly staff is right off the main shopping drag, Via Fillungo. Terra-cotta floors and stenciled walls impart a cozy feeling, while the high brick and timbered ceilings create a sense of spaciousness. The sitting room, with its fireplace and bar, provides a lovely place to relax. Breakfast is served in a cheery room with sponged-painted walls.

Recently restored and thoughtfully appointed lodgings at the end of a narrow calle have beamed ceilings, large windows that invite in light and provide canal views, and space-liberating iron-and-glass furniture. The cheery breakfast room overlooks a quiet side canal, as do two of the six rooms, and a small wooden terrace is perfect for relaxing with a prosecco after a long day of sightseeing.

Each simply furnished room in this residenza (guesthouse) is painted a different pastel color—peach, rose, powder-blue—and double-glazed windows ensure a peaceful night's sleep. You might ask for one of the rooms that has a small private terrace; if you contemplate a longer stay, one of the well-located apartments might suit. Coffee, tea, and fresh fruit, available all day in the sitting room, are on the house. During certain times of the year, the hotel requests a minimum seven-day stay.

If you're looking for a room with a view you'll find it here, where just about every room looks out onto the awe-inspiring Duomo or the Arno (some even have small terraces). When it's warm you can sit on the rooftop terrace with a glass of wine and enjoy a 360-degree panorama. The tastefully furnished rooms, with their high ceilings and sweeping draperies, create a fine backdrop for historic Florence.

Tucked away in an alley in Caltanissetta's former Jewish Quarter, this chic boutique hotel is just a five-minute walk from the cathedral. Stylish rooms feature stone arches, beamed ceilings, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Upgraded rooms and suites add soaking tubs, and apartments offer kitchenettes, located over several buildings along the alley. The breakfast buffet serves a delicious spread of local bread and cheeses. A cozy bar and a sophisticated spa area, complete with a hammam, relaxation room, and hot tub, complete the experience.

Here's your chance to sleep in a 12th-century castle—a monastery since 1137, when Amedeo of Savoy gave it to the Order of Saint Bernard, and still run by monks—without emptying your wallet. Only 15 km (8 miles) north of Aosta, this simple pension is a good base for hikers and cross-country skiers. Hearty food is included in the full meal plan.

In a central location, this 15th-century palazzo, once home to the dukes of Tuscany, is now a charming and romantic bed-and-breakfast with parquet flooring throughout, a pleasant if unremarkable breakfast room, and large guest rooms furnished in antique style. Generous, well-prepared continental breakfasts include homemade cake, fresh fruit, and savory options. The resident owners are friendly and helpful.

Situated a stone's throw from Palazzolo Acreide's main street, this recently restored B&B offers a charming selection of simply furnished but comfortable rooms with compact, modern bathrooms. One room has a lovely terrace with direct views of the main street and over the charming Sicilian roofs.

The little B&B in a 19th-century stone house is in the heart of Petralia Sottana's centro storico and offers basic, but also bargain-priced, rooms, and is run by welcoming and helpful hosts. 

Opt for a stylish, homey stay at this beguiling B&B, which has elegantly furnished, whitewashed rooms with interesting art and decor, most with balconies perched over the craggy shoreline. Sabrina, Claudia, and staff dispense local insights and tips, providing warm hospitality and bespoke services including meals, massages, arranged excursions. There's private access to the rocky shore below and the option to splurge on renting their bijou two-bedroom apartment. 

This modern and light-filled bed-and-breakfast within a stone building is located in the heart of Tusa, just a short walk to the sea, offering modern, minimalist rooms of various sizes, some with private terraces. 

You'll feel indulged at this sequestered B&B located in a quiet lane a 15-minute walk from Mondello's seafront. With gleaming white walls, burnished wooden floors, and sparkling, contemporary bathrooms, the spacious rooms have their own private balconies or terraces, and guests have use of a large outdoor pool set in a garden planted with bougainvillea and frangipani. Breakfast is a feast, and the hosts will recommend and book you into restaurants and hook you up with reliable guides and drivers. Bicycles are also available. There's a four-night minimum stay in summer. Winter bookings are only taken by email or phone.

In the historical center of Santo Stefano, this B&B diffusa manages rooms and mini-apartments in various buildings, mixing traditional and modern settings, some with small balconies and shared kitchenettes.

The fanciest, contemporary-design-led B&B in town offers top-of-the-line showers, striking lighting, and sumptuous beds in a converted family apartment building from the 19th century.

Nuns of the Oblates of the Assumption run this convent holiday house, where some of the simple but spotlessly clean rooms have views of the Duomo's cupola, and others look out onto a garden where you are welcome to relax. Several rooms have three and four beds, making them well-suited for families. You can join Mass every morning at 7:15. A simple continental breakfast is included, and the nuns provide half or full pension for groups of 10 or more. Most nuns don't speak English, but you can book online.

The heirs of an important Venetian architect have transformed his former residence, on the third and top floors of a palace along the Grand Canal, into an elegant lodging with views of either the Grand Canal or a side canal—or in the case of the smallish Room 6, rooftops, from a terrace twice the size of the room. The inn retains a traditional yet innovative style instilled by the former owner—most of the furniture was his, including an 18th-century briar-wood bureau, and there's a private library accessible to guests. A rich breakfast, including select cheeses and meats from local producers, is served in a salon overlooking the Grand Canal. There's also an attic apartment.