174 Best Hotels in Italy

Stay in a fortified castle, which was built more than a millennium ago, was rebuilt during the Renaissance, and is now a charming inn and a prestigious wine estate where you can taste local vintages. Throughout the main building and two nearby farmhouses you'll find wonderful heavy wooden furniture.

Caryatids stud the grounds of this well-kept neoclassical villa (it's been a hotel since 1870), where a small garden invites reading, and guest rooms are functional, airy, and reasonably quiet. The location—minutes from the main sights but near the long-distance bus terminal and parking area—is a big plus here, as is the pleasant staff. Single rooms are not the usual monastic-cell size. Head downstairs to the restaurant for inexpensive meals.

Near the most expensive shopping street in Rome, Via Condotti, and one block from the Spanish Steps, this group of hotels and apartments is all about peace, comfort, and location. Common areas and guest rooms in the main building have elegant, walnut period furnishings, gilt-edge mirrors, and top-notch linens and fabrics in warm, relaxing tones. The guest rooms exude a classic charm, though they tend to be on the smaller side. There are annex rooms and larger apartments with fully equipped kitchens spread out over seven buildings in the neighborhood.

In an old convent on Via Giulia, one of Rome's romantic ivy-covered streets, the D.O.M (Deo Optimo Maximo) is an ultrachic luxury hotel that resembles an aristocratic casa nobile. The interior design is cool and eclectic, with wood beam ceilings that date from the1600s, original Andy Warhol silkscreens, exposed brick walls, and scripture-inscribed marble slabs from the 15th century. The rooms, in warm neutral browns and grays, overlook the street. For real pampering, book the D.O.M Suite, which has a large terrace with views over typical Roman rooftops and bell towers. The real gem here, though, is the opulent but cozy bar and restaurant, VERVE, run by chef Adriano Magnoli and pastry chef Antonella Mascolo, where you can sit next to the fireplace during the winter or the stunning rooftop in the summer and enjoy some of the city's best cocktails.

At this intimate hotel, comfortable and soothingly designed guest rooms—some with canopy beds, pastel walls, and ultramodern bathrooms—are spread across two small 19th-century town houses on a quiet backstreet. The hallways can seem like a labyrinth, but every corner of the hotel is graced with a high level of service. There's also a lovely garden, with a hydromassage Jacuzzi, where breakfast is offered in warm-weather months.

This family-friendly ultramodern hotel near the Plan de Corones chairlift, made up of four sleek connected houses designed by Italian architect Matteo Thun, offers spacious rooms and an expansive spa. Guest rooms have a contemporary mountain feel, with wood walls and floors; each includes a balcony or terrace. Some of the suites include private saunas or infrared cabins. The inviting spa extends over three floors and includes saunas, a hammam, heated outdoor and rooftop pools, and a 24-hour gym. If you can tear yourself away, the hotel’s “experience concierge” is happy to recommend off-the-beaten-path activities nearby.

Amid rolling vineyards and olive trees, this fattoria (farmhouse) produces fine wine and olive oil and accommodates guests in apartments (sleeping up to 6) and a separate house (sleeping up to 14). The main stone house retains its enormous stone fireplace and a 16th-century family chapel next door. Lodgings have traditional wooden furniture—some antique—and full kitchens; some units have fireplaces. Half-board is available.

In the foothills between Florence and Fiesole are these lovely apartments, which sleep 4 to 11 people, and rooms, which vary in size, have private bathrooms, and sleep up to two adults and two children. Many accommodations are in a former convent, and some are scattered around the farm; all have wooden floors, simple and sturdy furniture, and apartments have modern kitchens; most also have splendid views onto olive groves (olive oil is produced by the fattoria owners). 

At this elegant hotel, swank reception rooms have comfortable couches and contemporary artwork, and guest rooms feature parquet floors, high ceilings, and furnishings that combine Scandinavian sleekness with the Italian love for fine fabric (think: damask draperies).

Set in a 19th-century neoclassical palace, this cozy boutique hotel was remodeled to feature high-tech, elegant guest rooms while keeping the core structure, including unique windows and tall ceilings, intact. Spacious rooms feature plush blue velvet furniture, oak desks and bookcases, elegant marble bathrooms, and free Illy coffee. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Acquolina, serves innovative seafood dishes. The Acquaroof offers drinks and Mediterranean and Roman cuisine on the romantic top-floor terrace, with incredible 360-degree city views.

High design resides at this art showcase near the Ponte Vecchio, where sleek, uncluttered rooms are dressed mostly in neutrals but have luxe touches such as leather headboards. The coolly understated public rooms have a revolving collection of photographs by artists like Helmut Newton adorning the walls; the reception area is subtly but dramatically lighted. Both the bar and restaurant attract sophisticated, fashionable locals.

Rooms at this 1911 hotel—a short walk on tree-lined streets from the center of town and even closer to the thermal baths—are spacious, with high ceilings. Many also have deep bathtubs with water jets. You can enjoy an aperitivo in the majestic lobby or on the rooftop terrace.

Classic Riviera elegance prevails at this palatial hotel overlooking the bay, where antique furniture and crystal chandeliers fill the high-ceiling rooms. The five-star grading meets all expectations, not least for the fantastic service and facilities. Stroll through the lush garden, then take a dip in the curvaceous swimming pool (April–October) or in the sea, at the beach across the street. The hotel has a state-of-the-art fitness center and beauty treatments.

On the shores of beautiful Lake Misurina and just a few kilometers from renowned winter resort Cortina d’Ampezzo, this grand hotel has simply furnished rooms that range from standard fare to full apartments. The on-site spa offers massages, a Turkish bath, and a sauna and Jacuzzi. There are year-round activities offered on the lake, and there's a kids' club available as well.

This 13th-century Franciscan monastery turned elegant hotel incorporates modern enhancements while retaining the structure's impressive rose facade, arches, and frescoes. Guest rooms, done in earth tones and blues, are stylishly modern and some have great views of Palmaria Island, the Gulf of Poets, and the town's historic center; Cloister suites set under the building's original arches have expansive terraces. The hotel's Palmaria restaurant offers a robust breakfast (with robust views), and candlelit dinners on its terrace, where you can also watch the sunset with a drink at its Venus Bar. Book direct for free garage parking.

This 1908 extravaganza, made famous by Federico Fellini in his film Amarcord, is grander than ever with ongoing restorations that keep the place completely current while maintaining its Belle Époque charm. The stage is set by enormous crystal chandeliers in the lobby and inlaid wood in the rooms that seem comforting rather than luxurious. The place is full of light, partly because the many large windows let it all in. A spotless private beach provides tranquility (though so does the pool). In summer La Dolce Vita, the terrific restaurant, moves outside to one of the sweeping terraces overlooking perfectly kept gardens and the sea. It also serves lunch on the beach, and in July and August there's live music. The adjacent Residence Parco Fellini offers four-star rooms and suites at affordable prices.

Stunning mountain views are the hallmark of this elegant property, dating from 1912, which also has a delightful spa and friendly service. Modern rooms feature wood accents and beamed ceilings; most look straight out to the Dolomites. Ristorante Savoy features international dishes, while 1224 Bar Lounge & Terrace offers lighter bites; both eateries have those awe-inspiring mountain vistas yet again. The spa has a heated indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room, and a well-equipped gym will please active types. Though the location isn’t right near the ski lifts, free transfers are available.

Some rooms here have views of the Palazzo Vecchio, and others of the Arno; the rooftop terrace, where you can have breakfast or an aperitivo, is decked with flowers. The lobby suggests a friend's living room while double glazing and air-conditioning help keep street noise at bay.

You'll feel right at home from the moment you waltz into this hotel in a 19th-century art nouveau building, where high ceilings, elegant chandeliers, white walls, and marble floors lend both elegance and warmth—all just a few blocks from Termini station. Guest rooms are tastefully decorated, mixing antique furniture and contemporary design; fresh flowers are displayed throughout the hotel and on the terrace. There are slightly formal lounges and a cozy bar on the third-floor terrace.

Brightly colored fittings enliven the white-walled, hardwood-floor guest rooms—think minimalism with a splash—at this hotel on a quiet little piazza near the forbiddingly majestic Castello Estense. The nearby Prisciani, which is part of the Annunziata, has larger rooms and suites, making it a perfect place for families.

The rooftop garden terrace with a center-stage view of St. Peter's Basilica is just one reason to stay here; proximity to the Vatican and superb shopping is another. This family-run hotel is set in a distinguished 19th-century building and has a classic atmosphere, with most guest rooms renovated with a modern style. The restaurant, Les Étoiles, serves sophisticated Italian dishes like tagliolini pasta with crab, basil, and tomatoes. A sister hotel, the Atlante Garden, just around the corner, has larger rooms at slightly lower rates.

If you're looking for a place within the town walls, this is a fine choice—one where contemporary furnishings in the guest rooms are softened by warm, umber-color walls and floral artwork. Rooms at the back of the hotel have magnificent views and some have panoramic terraces. The Gigli family has run the hotel since 1886.

Originally a 19th-century villa belonging to Marchesa Guendalina Strozzi—her ancestors were powerful bankers in Renaissance Florence—this is now a contemporary inn. Some of the public rooms have a quaint historical charm to them, but the guest rooms have more contemporary decor, with basic wooden furniture and no frills. Ask for one of the eight with a whirlpool tub. In winter, you can use this as a base to ski to the slopes; in summer, the Bellavista is perfectly situated for trekking and mountain biking.

One of Europe's gracious 19th-century grand hotels, the Bristol Palace guards its reputation for courtesy, service, and elegance, offering mostly spacious, handsomely furnished, high-ceilinged guest rooms and lovely public spaces. Some of the rooms have original multicolor inlaid marble floors and other period details. Surrounding the hotel's central oval staircase, the welcoming salons set the tone: they are comfortable, small, and pleasantly discreet, with paneled walls and soft lighting. Booking online can result in great deals.

In the heart of Trastevere and across the Tiber from the main synagogue in the Jewish Ghetto is Rome's only kosher hotel, a friendly and budget-friendly place to stay. Staffers are eager to please and can even arrange prepared kosher meals if requested in advance. Rooms are basic and two rooms have a shared bath, so be sure to inquire when booking.

A stately seaside mansion surrounded by a lush garden shaded by tall palms and pine trees offers stylish accommodations done in a blend of classic furnishings, mostly inspired by the 19th century. The hotel's cabanas and swimming area are at the foot of the garden.

Elegance and historic charm are the keynotes of this converted medieval palazzo once belonging to the powerful Azzoguidi family, just a short stroll from Piazza Maggiore and all the main attractions. The soothing calm of the sumptuous interior is most evident in the Liberty-style lounge with glass dome, and the period touches extend to the spacious and well-soundproofed guest rooms and suites. The choicest rooms have Renaissance-era frescoes and wooden ceilings, balconies, and views of Bologna's medieval towers. Breakfasts are abundant and their swanky restaurant/cocktail bar Casa Azzoguidi is top-notch.

At this mountain-chic inn in the center of Cortina, from the same owners as Puglia’s famed Borgo Egnazia resort, sustainable materials and chill vibes add up to the most modern boutique hotel in town. Comfortable guest rooms made almost solely of pine include pops of bright colors on the chairs, tables, and headboards. When you don’t feel like partaking in Cortina’s nightlife scene, De Len Restaurant and Bar De Len make for great dining and drinking options. The rooftop spa has saunas, a heated pool, and a whirlpool, all with panoramic views of the mountains; guests can book it for an hour of private use, included in their stay.

Travelers who love peace and tranquility appreciate the position of this chic hotel set in a prestigious palazzo from the 1800s. The old palazzo has been remodeled to provide spacious lounges and a glassed-in garden courtyard; a small private art collection is also on view. Guest rooms, cleverly furnished with sharp gray, black, and red tones, have been designed to create the illusion of space, though they are actually petite. Some rooms have balconies or terraces on the interior courtyard, and the hotel offers free bicycles for guests to explore the city. After a busy day of sightseeing, the calm location on a pedestrian-only street is a welcome break from the hustle and bustle.

On the west bank of the Tiber between the Spanish Steps and St. Peter's Basilica (a 10-minute stroll from Piazza del Popolo and the nearest Metro station), this hotel is removed from the chaos of the centro storico. Rooms are tastefully furnished with mahogany furniture, antique prints, hardwood floors, and marble bathrooms. Amenities include a bar, cafeteria, solarium, gym, and rooftop garden.