123 Best Hotels in Italy

This well-run little hotel is a good deal for those who prefer absorbing rays on the beach to hiking the highlands; ask for a room with a sea view and private terrace. The Aurora is on the Spiaggia delle Sirene near the fishing harbor, amid a greenery-filled setting. It's a flat and easy 10-minute walk from the Duomo, but crowds rarely venture to this nook.

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.

Stroll around the wonderful gardens on this restored country estate dating from the 14th century, where guest rooms with arched windows and oak-beam ceilings are in two houses that look out on vineyards to the north and Siena to the south. The homey furnishings include antique wardrobes and ladder-back chairs. The dining room, open to guests only, has a prix-fixe menu. In summer, enjoy dinner by the pool surrounded by rolling green lawn.

Cetara's leading hotel is set in a white stucco building that seems to have emerged right out of the rock in the cliffs above the beach; an on-site seafood restaurant has a breathtaking terrace; and guest rooms have vibrant Vietri ceramic-tiled floors and sea views.  

True to the word "gold" in its name, this bright, burnished, wedding-cake of a hotel shines brightly from its hillside perch amid a citrus-filled garden and terraces; guest rooms have chintz fabrics, antique furnishings, boldly patterned floor tiles, ceiling fans, and balconies that overlook the sea. There's also a broad, casual dining veranda and a private stretch of beach.

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.

Built in 1908, this grand hotel with Moorish decor has old-fashioned charm and loads of amenities—from a private beach with white cabanas and a seasonal bar and restaurant to a swimming pool, gym, and tennis courts (though, oddly, no spa). Though most rooms are rather dated, 15 seaview suites were renovated in 2023 and offer a more refreshed look, though at a higher price.

Venetian grandeur meets a modern, relaxed ambience in this extensively renovated 16th-century palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal and bustling Campo Santo Sofia. Two rooms have balconies overlooking the campo and two plush suites lord over the Canale Grande, while the rooftop terrace offers truly spectacular Venetian vistas.

Set in a quiet corner of Cannaregio, with an attractive pool, courtyard, and guest rooms accented with rich Venetian furnishings and gold-leaf flourishes, this is a decent option, especially if the Superior Deluxe rooms are on offer. Some may find the decor a tad cliché, but there's much to enjoy here, including rare outside hotel space, a garden room, and a billiard salon. Rooms vary considerably in size and have either rooftop or courtyard views, so book early and ask about the size and view.

Named after the Holy Grail, as in Wagner's opera Parsifal, this inn might not be a Ravello grand dame (owing to its functional modern decor), but it is blessed with a wonderful terrace pool and views. The outside walls are adorned with the work of Roman artist Bruno Canova, with colorful tiled murals outside, and paintings inside. Hovering over the water on the Via della Repubblica, near the Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer, with a nearly unobstructed view of the breathtaking bay, this hotel possesses one of the friendliest staffs around, the panoramic restaurant A Ristoro del Moro, a pretty pool area, and whirlpools and fancy baths. In the dining room, meals from a family kitchen are delivered to tables that are dressed in linen and set near large, arched windows.

The owner of this understatedly elegant hotel has a real passion for watches, which is why he chose to name his hotel after them (and why you will see them throughout the property)—and the location can't be beat, as it abuts the increasingly beautiful Piazza Santa Maria Novella. Public rooms have soft, comfortable chairs; the art deco–style breakfast room offers everything, including bacon and eggs. The building, a former 15th-century palazzo, has high ceilings and dark wood floors. Spacious rooms, most with bathtubs, offer a perfect place to recover after a day of touring. Attentive staff make a stay here a true pleasure.

One of Procida's best boutique hotels is a great place to enjoy the sunshine, thanks to individually designed rooms, complete with antiques, traditional ceramics, and private terraces. Breakfast is served in the garden.

A remote Green Coast oasis on lovely Piscinas Beach—between Capo Pecora and Capo Frasca—this designer hotel occupies a former warehouse, built in the late 1800s to house minerals excavated from surrounding hills. The prevailing tone, however, is contemporary chic, not least in the spacious and simply furnished guest rooms, enhanced by marble floors, wooden beams, and Sardinian artisan fabrics. All rooms (some with sitting areas) and the dining areas enjoy views of the limitless sands stretching out on either side. You can take part in the daily yoga sessions on the beach, lounge around the hotel's swimming pool, or relax with an evening drink in the well-stocked American Bar. Note that a two-night minimum stay is required between July and September.

With a serene location near the Villa Borghese Gardens and a country-manor feel, this family-run art deco retreat attracts an older, well-off international crowd. The downstairs bar—a magnificent piece of cabinetry—is a conversation piece in itself. Upstairs, modern and antique styles combine to create highly polished opulence in guest rooms.

On a side street around the corner from one of Rome's most impressive piazzas, this friendly hotel has polite and professional staff, public spaces styled with contemporary art, and guest rooms with wood fixtures and furnishings accentuated by warm colors. The intimate lounges and charming bar follow the same scheme, as does the breakfast room, where a generous American breakfast buffet is laid out in the morning, complete with complimentary newspapers.

A sense of freshness comes from the terra-cotta floors, high wood-beamed ceilings, and soothing whitewashed walls in this hotel's guest rooms. The serene garden, facing the town wall, is filled with oleanders, geraniums, and olive trees.

With much the same views as the multimillion-dollar villas nearby, this small family-run Praiano pad is a great-value option. True, you're right on the main road, but the tile-floor guest rooms are white and clean, the private balconies are spacious, and the informal, vine-covered restaurant serves up tasty fare with sublime vistas.

Here, you'll find all the exquisite trappings of a traditional luxury hotel: lavish mirrors, drapes, and carpets; and some of the city's largest guest rooms, outfitted with eclectic fin de siècle furnishings. The Mosaic rooms (named for the glass mosaic panels in their ample bathrooms) are even larger, and the three-bedroom Presidential Suite features its own marble pool and spa. The Principe bar is an elegant aperitivo spot, and the Acanto restaurant has garden seating and is open from breakfast to dinner. Lighter food is served in the lobby bar Il Salotto.

Although some visitors say it's resting on past laurels and is in need of renovations, Raya is perfectly in keeping with the elite style of Panarea—discreet and expensive, with a pool and terrace that enjoy views over the sea toward Stromboli. Public areas, including an open-air rooftop restaurant, are right on the port. Guest rooms occupy separate areas higher up the hill, with serene sea views from their balconies and a Moorish-inspired design to create a calm retreat.

Though it's just 15 minutes from the Accademia and Michelangelo's David, this hotel—in a 19th-century mansion adorned with rich fabrics and period-appropriate furnishings—is a true retreat from the city's noise and crowds. The restaurant here is equally sophisticated, and the Piazza d'Azeglio, a small public park across the street, also evokes 19th-century Europe.

Set in a Renaissance palazzo in central Modena, this luxurious bolthole combines modern and antique furnishings, and has a selection of spacious room and suites (the Royal has a beautiful frescoed ceiling) with smart marble bathrooms. The feeling of being secreted away in an exclusive, tranquil retreat is enhanced by the top-notch service and facilities for both eating and pampering. 

This high-end hotel retains hints of its former life as a Franciscan monastery, with a small lobby that leads to narrow corridors whose doors seem as if they would open into cell-like quarters but instead lead to surprisingly spacious, simply decorated, majolica-floor-tiled rooms, many with their own hot tubs and furnishings no monk would dream of. The hotel's two restaurants offer regional specialties, and its two terrace bars serve up drinks and views of the city below and the bay beyond.

Surrounded by luxuriant gardens, in a large cream-color villa, the San Michele offers solid comfort and good value, along with spectacular views from sky-high Anacapri. The showstopper here is the vast pool—the largest on Capri—surrounded with tables for fine dining and lounging. Interiors are modern, with some Neapolitan period pieces adding atmosphere; most rooms have a terrace or balcony overlooking either sea or island. One of Anacapri's best nightclubs, La Lanterna Verde, is also here.

Tucked behind the beginning of Corso Umberto I, this pleasant boutique hotel has a soothing lobby and a large bar area filled with plush sofas, antiques, and Art Nouveau works. Some rooms are a little on the small side, but are comfortable and airy—the larger, superior rooms have balconies. The hotel's best feature is the roof, where there is a bar and where breakfast is served, with great views of the dome of next door's Basilica of Santissima Annunziata Maggiore.

The central courtyard of this boutique hotel near Milan's fashion district is covered in a layer of water, a cheeky nod to the Naviglio Grande canal that once ran in front of the 19th-century palace, which now has a sleek, minimalist design and artsy touches like brass ginkgo biloba–leaf lamps, serpentine mosaic floor patterns, and flowers and music selected by curators. Relatively simple white-on-white guest rooms have black and gray accents, high ceilings, oak parquet floors, and white Carrara marble bathrooms; try for a room with a private terrace overlooking the peaceful courtyard. Though there's no formal restaurant, the Senato Caffè offers small plates and aperitivo. A seasonal rooftop sundeck is perfect for chilling and has a phone for placing drink orders with the Caffè.

This small luxury hotel, in a former noble home a short walk from the center of town, has contemporary accommodations with calming neutral tones and a seamless mix of modern and period furniture, but the true allure of the property is in its incredible rooftop terrace and the attentive staff. Start the day with coffee on your private balcony, move on to breakfast with sea views, and close the evening with drinks by the garden pool.

British brand The Hoxton's first foray into Italy is a design lover's dream filled with 1970s-inspired bespoke furniture, art tomes, and plants that transform the large lobby into intimate seating nooks perfect for socializing and coworking. The signature restaurant, Elio, serves delicious Italian cuisine, while Cugino offers pastries in the morning and creative Spritz cocktails with light bites in the evening. Rooms are modestly sized, with plush beds, Roberts stereos, flatscreen TVs, and free tea and coffee. Minibars have only water and milk, but guests can purchase snacks at the front desk. There's also a large event space called the Apartment, which can be rented out.

Formerly the retreat of a rich noble family, this 15th-century house is now one of Rome's most intimate and luxurious hotels, with gorgeous terraces and a rooftop bar affording views of the never-ending theater of the Spanish Steps. Even the Hassler, Il Palazzetto's iconic sister hotel on the other side of Piazza Trinità dei Monti, can't make this claim. The four tranquil guest rooms are outfitted in soothing taupes and creams (three look out over the Steps); none of them have room service, but guests enjoy full use of the facilities at the Hassler. Without the 24-hour attention of the Hassler, and with their sense of privacy and independence, Il Palazzetto's accommodations feel more like small, luxury apartments than hotel rooms—something that's seen as a major perk by guests, who tend to book up the rooms months in advance.

This cozy hotel in a converted town house near Via Veneto is popular with American travelers thanks to its location close to the embassy, American-style breakfast, and helpful staff. Rooms are basic, comfortable, and tasteful (although single rooms are almost windowless), but the hotel's real draws are its bar, terrace, and lounges, which are adorned with colorful wallpaper and inviting loveseats. The garden is a blissfully quiet setting, especially when compared with the all-go vibe of the neighboring W Rome.