781 Best Hotels in Italy

This 11th-century monastery has been transformed into a luxurious hotel with, among other things, a large spa, indoor and outdoor pools, two restaurants (Cantina, serving traditional Tuscan food, and the more upscale Contrada), and expansive guest rooms featuring beamed ceilings and wallpaper showing local landscapes. There are also tennis courts and an open-air gym.

Enchantment reigns at this tiny 13th-century countryside hamlet, part of the fiefdom of the aristocratic Florentine Guicciardini family and reinvented by the modern Count Roberto Guicciardini. A castle, church, and cobbled streets set the stage. Guest rooms vary in style; high wood-beam ceilings, terra-cotta floors, and modern bathrooms are the rule throughout. Apartments sleep as many as eight people and have as many as two baths.

This atmospheric, 12th-century castle 15 km (9 miles) from Gubbio has spacious, antiques-filled, individually decorated rooms—some with decorated or beamed ceilings and stained glass, many with whirlpool tubs—as well as excellent in-house breakfasts and dinners. In the evening, the menu in the stone-walled dining room, where there's a roaring fire in colder weather, features regional specialties, including many dishes prepared with Chianina veal raised on the castle grounds, as well as a special menu of medieval dishes.

Consisting of a former convent (dating from the 1300s) and a Romanesque church, this rustic yet elegant lodging has rooms with canopy beds, chiseled-stone fireplaces, and massage-jet tubs (in suites). Windows look out on the hills, woods, and vineyards. Dine by candlelight in the courtyard on sophisticated classics—carrè di agnello in crosta di noce (walnut-coated rack of lamb), for example—at the first-class restaurant.

With delicate wooden balconies and an eye-catching wooden gable, the pink Cavallino Bianco (Little White Horse) looks like a gigantic dollhouse, and it is, in fact, marketed toward families. Beyond this facade lies a sprawling all-inclusive modern resort, but the cozy bar—with its large, handcrafted fireplace—retains some old-fashioned charm. Guest rooms have upholstered furniture with cheery large-scale plaids and honey-color wood accents. The hotel is only a five-minute walk from the main ski facilities; ski guides are available.

Tufa quarries are a feature of Favignana's landscape, and this designer hotel to the southeast of town has been built within one that has been abandoned. Surrounded by the sheer walls of the quarry, the clean style and architecture of the building reflect its unique setting. The prevailing tone is fashionably minimalist—even Spartan—but creature comforts and the spirit of luxury have not been sacrificed. Tufa is used in the good-size bedrooms, too, keeping them cool and soothing. You can relax on decks or lawns in the grounds scattered with tall agave, colorful oleander, and pomegranate trees, and enjoy refreshing dips in the impressive, L-shape pool. If you want a break from the top-notch food in the restaurant, take the free shuttle to dine in town. From the hotel, it's a pleasant 15-minute walk to Cala Azzurra beach.

Perched majestically above Camogli's beaches, the former summer palace of Genoa's doges features many guest rooms with expansive balconies and commanding vistas of the city's port. This is indisputably among the best addresses in town. Aside from enjoying the lovely lounges, you can relax in the well-kept park, or swim and soak in the sun. There's a week's minimum stay in July and August.

This architecturally stunning property in the Alpe di Siusi, with a facade of wood and quartzite, has three restaurants, a serious spa area, and its own ski rental service. Spacious rooms, in light blue tones with wood floors, all include Dolomites views and oversized bathrooms. The Sassolungo restaurant serves Mediterranean and international plates with local ingredients, while Trattoria Dell’Alpe offers dishes from the Veneto region; there’s also the Alpina Chalet Grill and Bar for casual cuisine on the slopes. The large spa area has both an indoor and heated outdoor pool, saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation rooms; there’s also a good-sized gym. For even more exercise in the warmer months, opt for an e-bike tour with one of the hotel guides. The kids aren't left out with their own club for ages 4 to 12.

Now relaunched under Hilton’s Conrad banner, the Chia Laguna hotel still has its captivating position overlooking Monte Cogoni beach and the sleek expanse of Chia lagoon, and its five-star facilities are geared to maximizing guests’ enjoyment of these natural advantages. One of the resort’s alfresco restaurants, La Terrazza, also enjoys sea views, as do most of the modern, spacious, and light guest rooms. Other facilities include curving, lawn-surrounded pools, tennis courts, and a small gym. Milanese designers have made the interior an appealing blend of modernity and Sardinian motifs, with traditional island artifacts set amid ceramic-tile floors and sand-hued walls.

This luxury grande dame, now run by Marriott, is lauded for its service, spa, and more—the architecture was immortalized in 1963's The Pink Panther. Guest rooms are furnished in handwoven fabrics and wood paneling typical of the region, but with an attention to elegance and detail that clearly define the resort's level of excellence. The prestigious bar and spa have both set the precedent for other properties in their class around Europe.

The owners of De Gregorio Winery have opened a quaint inn above their city restaurant, Le Stranizze, offering large rooms, fast Wi-Fi, and a central location that is perfect for a small family or any traveler looking for a comfortable, convenient place to rest after a day of exploring. The rooms sit on the top floors of a row house tucked into one of the pedestrian shopping streets, offering some nice views of Sciacca. Although the inn does not offer in-house breakfast, it gives you a breakfast voucher good at several local cafés, which allows you to experience something different without the extra cost. 

Contemporary minimalism, a soothing color palate, and cool design, including travertine-lined spa-like bathrooms and mood lighting, make this central boutique B&B a reliably serene and clean choice. As well as a basic but comfy double with balcony, there are two more spacious king rooms with spa bathrooms, a suite with a swanky terrace, and a studio with kitchenette. 

On Ortigia's eastern shore, this hotel, in an unusual twist, is owned by Ursuline nuns, who help to make the mood placid and peaceful, but the accommodations are simple rather than monastic. Guest rooms are bright, modern, and decent for pricey Ortigia; some have sea views, while the others have balconies overlooking the street. There's also a slightly more expensive sister hotel, Domus Mariae Benessere, across the street, with a spa, pool, and fitness room that all guests can use.

Its location—set amid hills of olive trees yet steps from the village center—makes this hotel with bright rooms and contemporary furnishings one of the best places to stay in Lerici. Junior suites have large terraces and spa baths, but any sea-view room is a value. The welcoming, relaxing atmosphere is evident in a sitting area surrounded by a garden, an ideal place for enjoying a bountiful breakfast. The restaurant specializes in fresh seafood.

Bang smack in regal Piazza Unità d'Italia, this grande dame of a hotel is beautifully furnished in Venetian Renaissance style, with dark-wood antiques, rich carpets, and plush fabrics. In the basement, below sea level, is one of northern Italy's most impressive indoor pool-spa complexes: it's reminiscent of ancient Roman baths. On the ground floor is Harry's Restaurant and there are a few smart apartments, especially handy for families. Suffice it to say this place has come a long way since its original incarnation as a 19th-century dockers' café.

Close to Randazzo and with stunning views towards Etna, this immaculately restored 19th-century farmhouse is set in beautiful grounds against a backdrop of lava flows. Clustered around the palmento, the imaginatively designed guest rooms feature chestnut beams and furniture and wooden sinks: the accent here is on curves rather than straight lines. Activities such as ambling along on a donkey, saddling up for a horse ride, or olive oil and wine tasting might lure you away from the swimming pool and its shady terraces. The staff couldn't be nicer, breakfast is super fresh and there’s an excellent restaurant to boot. 

Overlooking the Bay of Naples, this luxurious Belle Époque dream has been in the same family since 1834, which means that public spaces are virtual museums—with elegant Victorian love seats and stile liberty (Art Nouveau) ornamentation—and guest rooms are spacious, with soigné furnishings and balconies and terraces that overlook gardens or the bay. Dine in the open-air seaside Bosquet restaurant or the magnificently grand Vittoria. Grounds lined with arbored promenades, shaded by orange trees, and studded with statues contain a giant pool.

Atop a cliff at the end of a rocky track on Sardinia's southernmost tip, a working lighthouse dating from 1856 contains this unusual hotel—a self-described "door suspended between the sky and the sea"—where it's easy to switch off and tune out amid luxurious surroundings. It’s small and select but still has space for lounges and a library, all blending vintage furnishings with elegant modern pieces. Some guest rooms are in a separate annex. It's a bit of a trek to go out in the evenings, but top-notch four-course dinners are available in the dining room for €100. A wide terrace with gazebos and an infinity pool overlook the sea, and a Jeep is on hand for shuttling you to nearby beaches.  Request a Sea View Suite for 360-degree coastal vistas.

A working farm producing almonds, olives, and wine (all of which feature in abundance at evening meals), Feudo Muxarello offers huge vistas toward the Sicani mountains and a to-die-for night sky. Rooms are of the very highest standard, both in the main farmhouse and in the adjoining outhouses. There is an ample swimming pool and the owners have gone out of their way to document footpaths and excursions from the farmstead. The evening meal comes via a single menu, affordably priced and served in one sitting, eating together with the owner and staff.

If you ever fancied a luxury stay in a small museum, Fiermontina is a magical world set within a courtyard, with four stunning suites dedicated to the arts and a museum you can wander around at night with a lantern, all the captivating legacy of painter Antonia Fiermonte and her love and friendship with two sculptors. Nearby Fiermontina Luxury Home has a pool while atmospheric Palazzo Bozzi Corso is steeped in history with artworks and interiors reflecting family connections with some of the leading creatives and cultural icons of the 20th century.      

This friendly, intimate hotel in the center of town combines history with modernity in its spacious, minimalist suites—some with original ceiling frescoes—inside a house dating from 1450. Guest rooms, all suites, are done up in muted colors and use reclaimed wood in the furnishings. Many visitors come just for the top-notch restaurant, where owner Florian Fink is the chef. Perhaps the most unique feature is the spa inspired by Roman baths, which includes a sauna, steam bath, and hot and cold Roman baths.

This country mansion, once the home of a local bishop, is full of art and warm Sicilian hospitality, having been transformed into the kind of easy, informal place where guests are put instantly at their ease, as if they were old family friends. The food is hearty and fantastic, most of it grown on their organic farm, and is created in a vibrant, cozy family kitchen with wood-burning oven—and it is here that guests can have cooking lessons with the indominable chef, Maddalena; other tours can be arranged on-site. Accommodation is simple and comfortable, and there is a lovely garden and swimming pool.

It’s all about the views at this minimalistic yet quietly luxurious retreat (for guests age 14 and over) high up in the mountains at 1,800 meters (5,900 feet), reached by winding roads through the pretty forest—rooms in the main building exude cozy mountain chalet vibes, while those in the Tower have a more polished feel along with astounding Alpine views in the suites and penthouses, two of which boast their own fireplace, sauna, and outdoor pool. The restaurant, with floor-to-ceiling views of the majestic Dolomite peaks, serves up an innovative nightly changing seven-course dinner menu using local ingredients. The lovely spa includes saunas, steam rooms, an indoor/outdoor pool, and relaxation areas, and daily scheduled activities include yoga, sauna treatments, and DJ nights. An added perk: ski-in, ski-out access to the Plose ski and hiking area, small but less crowded than other Dolomites standbys.

This palatial, Liberty-style hotel has catered to a demanding European clientele since 1863, and although its spacious salons and guest rooms still have lavish turn-of-the-last-century furnishings, there are signs of modernity, including a redesigned bar (Hemingway Bar), low-calorie and gluten-free options at the restaurant, and extensive wellness treatments. The views, lakeside grounds, and amenities (like a whirlpool tub in every room) render this hotel a true luxury destination.

Used as a hunting lodge in the 19th century, the Fasano has matured into a seasonal hotel with high standards, opulent rooms, and many amenities—including an Aveda Destination Spa and a well-regarded restaurant, Il Fagiano, in addition to three more casual eateries (one a short walk away). There are also two golf courses in the vicinity. To one side you face the deep waters of Lake Garda; on the others you're surrounded by a 31,080-square-km (12,000-square-mile) private park where the original Austrian owners no doubt spent their days chasing game.

A little up the hill from Chiaia, with fine views of the bay and distant Capri, this landmark hotel first opened in 1870 and continues to offer a supreme dose of elegance. The glittering interior is an homage to the neoclassical style brought to Naples by Napoleon and his general Joachim Murat, with gilt-trimmed Empire bureaus, shimmering chandeliers, fluted pilasters, and ornate ceilings. Drink in the view from the superb rooftop-garden at George's restaurant, which serves outstandingly good regional specialties—its chef, Domenico Candela, has been awarded a second Michelin star.

As you enter this 1890s-vintage hotel above Piazza Acquaverde, you’ll be transported from the modern city to a more glamorous era, thanks to details such as the original marble floors and lush gilt and richly colored velvet furniture in common areas. Traditionally styled guest rooms have details like steamer trunks, wooden minibars that evoke an age of grandeur, and artwork that depicts Genoa’s maritime history. Some rooms have soaking tubs, and there are also a fitness room and a small spa with a private waterbed and a hot tub room.

One of the city's finest hotels, the Sitea is in the historic center and decorated in a warm classical style; the common areas and guest rooms are elegant, spacious, and comfortable. Top-notch service is provided by a courteous and efficient staff, and the breakfast buffet is fit for royalty.

Creature comforts in this turn-of-the-20th-century building—one of the top grand hotels on the lake—include a lush park, three heated swimming pools (one of them floats on pontoons on the lake), a small private beach, and sumptuous guest rooms where old-world style meets modern amenities. Get a lake-view room if you can: the Bellagio vistas across the water are spectacular, and for the ultimate splurge, the rooftop suites have their own terraces with heated, outdoor whirlpool tubs. The formal restaurant, La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi, serves seasonal cuisine and fresh fish with that same wondrous view from its terrace; L'Escale Trattoria & Wine Bar is a fun, casual option. Continue the pampering at the lovely T Spa, where you may splurge on a Spa Suite with private whirlpool tub, sauna, and Turkish bath.

The 19th-century luxury at this grand lake hotel—originally designed to cradle nobility and still a refined haven for the discreetly wealthy—has not so much faded as mellowed: guest rooms remain immaculate and plush; public areas are still awash with gilt ornamentation and marble; and breakfast is served in a ballroom. The staff are unobtrusive and very knowledgeable about lake transportation and sightseeing. One of the restaurants, Mistral, features inventive molecular gastronomy dishes along with a more traditional menu.