223 Best Hotels in Italy

This large property, rising above the lava rocks, right on the sea feels a bit like a time capsule. You can easily imagine the Rat Pack making it their home on a Sicilian holiday. For some, that means the property is stuck in the past and could use a reboot, but for others, it's the perfect amount of old-school panache.

Time seems to have stopped at this charming hotel housed in a 19th-century convent belonging to the Stimmatine Sisters. It is located at the base of the Capodimonte hill and adjacent to the Catacombe di San Gennaro and the Madre del Buon Consiglio church, but a fair walk from the central city sights. The large, tastefully furnished Bourbon-style guest rooms open onto an internal courtyard, dominated by an ornamental skylight. Ask for a quiet room on this side of the hotel.

This contemporary, light-filled hotel makes the most of its position right in front of the sea and the faraglioni. Indulge in a cocktail on the terrace at sunset, ponder over which Sicilian specialty to order in the attached restaurant, or spend some time at the nearby beach club. Whatever you do, it will be met with impeccable and amicable service. 

Cleverly converted from three historic buildings—a bank, a palazzo, and a monastery—this hotel with modern, unadorned rooms is ideally located just off the central axis of Via Vittorio Emanuele. It's an elegant complex, featuring vaulted ceilings and an expansive, airy courtyard lobby with a retractable roof awning that's open in warm weather, plus a beautifully designed restaurant. 

Set in a Belle Époque–style villa surrounded by gardens, atop a cliff near the village of Cetraro, the San Michele offers Mediterranean charm and old-style elegance. An elevator takes you down to the base of the cliff, where you'll find three private beaches and a summer bar and restaurant. The property also has a 9-hole golf course. As with most hotels on Calabria's coast, substantial bargains are available on room rates outside July and August.

This contemporary, rounded facade stands out among the ancient palazzi nearby, but inside you'll find a handsome marble-paved lobby, rich drapery in the restaurant, and ample rooms with clubby wood-trimmed furniture. The sixth-floor terrace provides a great view of the surrounding mountains. Business travelers are drawn by the hotel's conveniences and efficient service.

Winston Churchill, European royalty, and other VIPs have frequented the grand 18th-century Villa Politi, and although it's now a little faded, it retains a sense of elegance with rococo furnishings alongside basic modern luxuries like comfy beds. Set back from the road, the hotel is in the extensive gardens of the Latomie dei Cappuccini, overlooking a small archaeological site. Some rooms have balconies, private terraces, and partial sea views, others have far less salubrious views (be sure to check).

This rental apartment near the center of Mistretta allows you to stay directly in the old town, with basic but reasonably priced rooms and wonderful views from the terrace. 

This attractive midrange hotel in the center of Favignana town is in an old palazzo but has modern furnishings and fittings. Most of the guest rooms are spacious; some even have balconies, but all are impeccably clean with comfortable beds, including those located in a nearby annex (which may be a better choice for those who prefer more privacy). There's a good restaurant in an internal courtyard garden, where breakfast is also served. Stays in summer must be for a minimum of four or five nights.

The airy white rooms, period-style furnishings, and ceramic flooring make this third-floor pension directly opposite the port cozy and characterful. Venetian glass chandeliers hang in the air-conditioned rooms, some of which have sea views and are decorated with ceiling frescoes, though most are courtyard-facing. Family rooms are also available. Expect polite, friendly service with basic English spoken from the host family. Basic breakfasts, included in the price, are available at one of the open-air cafés under the atmospheric arcades of Via Roma, below. The bus and train stations are steps away.

Spread along one side of the wide expanse of Largo Petrolo, this smart, two-story hotel has warm colors and a welcoming, intimate atmosphere. The reception area has polished parquet floors, modern art on the walls, and a solidly old-fashioned tone. Pay a little extra for one of the best rooms, which are spacious and have balconies overlooking the square. Buffet breakfasts are varied, and you can choose to sit at one of the tables on the piazza. It's an easy walk to restaurants (the harborfront is a 10-minute walk), and guests can make use of a free hotel buggy to a nearby beach.

This simple budget hotel on the third floor of a 19th-century palazzo offers rock-bottom rates and is just a five-minute walk from the Vatican. You won't find frills, but you will find clean rooms with air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. There's no bar, but there is a breakfast buffet and a vending machine that you can use 24 hours a day.

Right by the port, the small and modern Hotel Aliai is Sciacca's best choice for anyone wishing to lodge in the lower town. Book one of the three rooms on the top floor; all have harbor views and their own terraces, though guests may have to stoop to avoid the low eaves in the attached bathrooms. Staff are friendly, parking is easy, and breakfast choices include freshly squeezed fruit juice and local pastries. Piazza Scandaliato can be reached in 10 minutes via steps.

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.

This tastefully modernized 18th-century farmhouse just outside Asolo retains exposed stone, brick, and wooden joists creating a calming rural ambience in its spacious public areas, simply furnished rooms, and handsome guesthouse. You can relax with a glass in the comfy lobby bar and immaculate grounds or work up a sweat in the small but well-equipped gym.

In the courtyard of a building on the Mergellina waterfront, this hotel is handy if you're coming or going from the Mergellina pier. On the other hand, perhaps this is why some guests have said they suffer from cabin fever after just a few nights—the constant presence of boats and the portholelike windows might make you think you're on board a ship. The spic-and-span rooms are—no surprise—done in a nautical motif.

True to its name (which means "beautiful view"), the best rooms in this sunny Liberty-style building face the bay of Portovenere, with lovely vistas of Palmaria Island and the Gulf of Poets. Several indoor and outdoor dining and sitting areas also face the port. The simply furnished guest rooms are not luxurious, but they don't break the bank, either.

Just inside the city walls and close to the Palazzo Ducale, this hotel has pleasant, if worn, rooms decorated with a smattering of antiques; those in front also have views of the valley below Urbino. A terrace in the tranquil garden to the rear of the hotel adjoins the cozy breakfast room and bar.

Public areas in this hotel near the train station are decorated with contemporary paintings by the hotel's owner, and the well-kept guest rooms have sound-resistant windows. Prompt service helps make Buonconsiglio especially good for business travelers.

On the edge of town, overlooking a small beach at the western end of the harbor, this small and chic hotel stands a little apart from the quayside activity, and is all the better for it. The harborfront bars and restaurants are seconds away, yet peace and quiet reign here. The three rooms with balconies at the front are the best choices as other rooms on the side have balconies and partial sea views but face hilly scenery frontwards. The waterfront terrace is a great spot for breakfast, for whiling away an afternoon, or for an evening aperitivo. In summer, a free shuttle service to a nearby beach is available.

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.

Overlooking the volcanic crater of Lake Albano and a minute's walk from the Apostolic Palace, this intimate hotel in the heart of Castel Gandolfo is a romantic retreat. Rooms are basic, bright, uncluttered, and soundproofed, and they're equipped with air-conditioning, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, and minibars. Bathrooms have either a whirlpool tub or hydromassage showers.  Ask for a room with a view of the lake and the Castelli hills beyond.

You have two smart and contrasting choices here: the 19th-century villa, with canopy beds and Alpine-style wood ceilings and paneling; and the more tranquil "Next Wing," with rich colors and spare furnishings in starkly angular rooms. Some rooms have sunken Japanese baths and gardens, there are centuries-old trees shading the terrace, and high-design chaises surround the pool. The staff are all dressed in casual, monklike black.

This is a reliable budget hotel in the side streets of Piazza di Spagna that offers great value for money. There are no extra frills, no pampering—just professional service and clean lodging.

This lovely hotel near Termini station is a perfect example of a family establishment: the three Riccioni brothers put their hearts and souls into running the place, while their parents oversee housekeeping and maintenance. The hotel is decorated with 20th-century paintings, mahogany furniture, and handsome fabrics in the guest rooms, which are small and functional, but work well for travelers who don't plan on spending all day in their rooms.

This small, family-run hotel is a good base for budget travelers wishing to be within striking distance of Pompeii's ruins. The Diana is a three-minute walk from the train station, a 10-minute walk from the amphitheater entrance, and close to the action in Pompeii's main square. Despite its convenient location, the hotel somehow feels apart from the tourist throngs. Clean and well-appointed rooms and a young, outgoing staff make for a pleasant stay.

Like the town of Erice itself, the Hotel Elimo is old-fashioned and yet full of charm; eccentric knickknacks and artwork fill the lobby, and the homey guest rooms are all different, many boasting terraces with views of either the cobblestone streets or the valleys below (when they're not shrouded by clouds). The hotel is ideally located on Erice's main street, convenient to shopping and restaurants, though you may very well opt to dine at the hotel's own eatery, which uses fresh local ingredients and offers superb views. The friendly staff can help recommend which local attractions are worth your while.

Relaxed and friendly, this hotel set in its own grounds just steps from the sea makes a great alternative to staying in Genoa, which is easily accessible by train in just 15 minutes from the station opposite. Guest rooms are on the old-fashioned side, but all have a small balcony with views of either the sea or the hotel garden (request the Comfort category for a little more space). The panoramic Anita Garibaldi seaside promenade is close by, and it's a short and pleasant stroll across a leafy park to reach Nervi's two main attractions, the Wolfsoniana collection and the modern art gallery. If you're not inspired by the hotel's handy but somewhat staid restaurant, there's a choice of trattorias in the town, while drivers will be relieved to avoid getting embroiled in Genoa's traffic.

For reasonably priced accommodations, it's hard to beat this garni (bed-and-breakfast) right on Piazza Duomo, where some of the simple rooms have wonderful views. Family-run since 1912, this tidy place offers some handy amenities that include paid parking, a 10-minute walk away.

Just off the beautiful Piazza Navona, this aging but pleasant hotel has a lovely rooftop terrace that's the perfect place to enjoy a cappuccino or a glass of wine while taking in the view. Rooms are classically furnished, and the more updated ones have parquet floors and cheerfully striped wallpaper. You can snag a really good deal here in January and February, when room rates can go down to €130.