174 Best Hotels in Italy

High above Sorano, this austere-looking 11th-century Orsini castle has spectacular views of the town and surrounding countryside. Wood-beam ceilings hang above white and pastel walls in most rooms, and windows have dark-wood shutters. A careful mix of antique and modern furniture—Rococo chairs and upholstered couches—makes for a pleasant and comfortable stay. The hotel closes for some time during the winter; the length and month of the closure vary annually.

Prepare to relax at this family-run seaside establishment, where one pleasure is lounging on one of the deck chairs on the hotel's rooftop solarium and enjoying its sea views. Guest rooms are simple and bright, some with maritime decor, and all have a balcony. A generous breakfast buffet is served in the indoor dining area. From the hotel, you can easily get to nearby tennis courts, a public outdoor pool, and a golf course, but being so near the beach is the biggest plus.

Each room has its own contemporary design, some have saunas with hot tubs and stunning views, and all enjoy a prime location near Piazza del Duomo. The friendly owner gives good suggestions about what to see, do, and eat in the area.

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.

This hotel on a private bay provides access to a sandy white beach from the bar and restaurant. A central building and several surrounding cottages contain guest rooms with simple white-wood desks and beds with ironwork insets. Some rooms have balconies.

Worldly cares are softly washed away by the comforts of the rooms (some damask linens, tapestry-like canopies, marble highboys), the superlative attentiveness of the staff, and the hotel's magnificent garden setting. A buffet lunch is served on a canopied terrace above the pool, and numerous smaller terraces are tucked away on the sloping cliffs, perfect for a peaceful afternoon nap. Chaises and white umbrellas sit ocean-side on the beach. Some rooms are in separate cottages. If absolute privacy is your main concern—and you're willing to pay for it—one suite has a private pool.

The former stables of the Villa Bottini have been transformed into a modern hotel with stylish rooms done in a warm wood veneer with blue-and-white fittings. Free bicycles are a nice bonus in this bike-friendly city, and the sumptuous buffet breakfast could see you through dinner. Residenza dell'Alba, the hotel's annex across the street, was originally part of a 14th-century church; now it's a luxe accommodation with in-room hot tubs, high sweeping ceilings, patterned rugs, and lush, comfortable furniture.

They may not have sea views, but the stylish, comfortable rooms here are decorated in a classic style, and some have large balconies. Most bathrooms have been remodeled. The location is very central, within easy walking distance of a choice of eateries, and there is a modestly priced in-house restaurant that offers a daily changing menu. Valet parking and spa facilities are available at additional charges.

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.

This friendly home away from home in a quiet residential area close to the Colosseum has been run by the Khan family since 1971. Its carefully and courteously attentive staffers go the extra mile for their guests. Clean and comfortable guest rooms have basic antique furnishings and big windows—some even with a view of the Colosseum—and all have air-conditioning, TVs, and Wi-Fi. Higher priced rooms have terraces or balconies as well. In the high season, the on-site restaurant serves dinner as well as breakfast, and the bar is always open for a drink.

Established in 1925, this art deco--style hotel feels like an authentic time capsule of a more glamorous era. Exquisite wallpaper and fabric prints are coordinated in guest rooms, and some are decorated with antiques—the grandest suite has a red ceiling hand-painted in Venetian style. Everything is lovingly supervised by the owners. There's bar service on the panoramic roof garden and in the courtyard, and complimentary bicycles are available if you feel like braving the traffic. No wonder it's a favorite of filmmaker Wes Anderson, among other illustrious guests.

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 cozy hotel just a stone's throw from Termini Station sounds like some sort of a miracle, and yet, the Morgana welcomes guests with classically designed accommodations and friendly smiles. Rooms feature kitschy striped walls, comfy beds, flowing drapes, satellite TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is abundant, and there's free access to a fitness center in the Hotel Ariston, a sister hotel that's just across the street. 

Formerly the Grillo family palace, this sumptuously comfortable boutique hotel integrates architectural details from the 1500s to the 1700s—like an original marble entryway and staircase, frescoed ceilings, and frieze details in some rooms—with clean-lined modern luxury. All of the furniture has been handpicked and combines vintage pieces with those from some of Italy's best designers, with an emphasis on minimalism and surprising pops of color. Public spaces such as the ballroom-size living room, billiards room, and top-floor terrace add to the appeal.

There's an air of seclusion and a respite from hectic San Remo in these bright, well-equipped rooms—some with balconies and sea views—that face a quiet, palm-fringed garden and pool. The hotel is surrounded by manicured grounds and an adjacent, lush public park. A pleasant restaurant offers a fixed-price menu for lunch and dinner, or a variety of à la carte options. There's a four-night minimum stay in July and August.

This small hotel below the old town, run by the amiable and ever-helpful Massimo and family, has simply furnished modern rooms, making it a good base to explore the surrounding Madonie Mountains. 

Viareggio's first hotel—opened in 1871 to host those on the Grand Tour, as well as many Russians who stayed for extended periods—still exudes old-world charm, even though it's been completely updated to suit 21st-century tastes. Public rooms filled with lovely brocaded furniture provide the perfect place to have an aperitivo. Guest rooms have high ceilings, large windows with damask drapes, and hard-wood floors; bathrooms are surprisingly large. La Terrazza, the top-floor restaurant, has views of the sea and a creative young chef whose innovative, tasty food makes a stay here even more worthwhile.

Situated in a remodeled Renaissance palazzo with one of the prettiest patio-courtyards in Rome, this hotel is a relaxing retreat close to Campo de' Fiori and Trastevere. Rooms have cherrywood accents, recessed lighting, and luminous marble floors. Some overlook the garden of the historic Palazzo Spada, and others offer a distant glimpse of the cupola of St. Peter's Basilica. Some suites have whirlpool tubs and balconies. The rooftop terrace is a great place to contemplate the city's skyline.

The grand former home of a musician and composer, this 18th-century villa perched on a fragrant hillside above white-sand beaches has since had a wing added, creating a wonderful retreat from the crowds at the water's edge. Lush gardens, beautiful views, and a natural grotto with Jacuzzi and bar are among the amenities, and free parking is available.

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.

Nestled in an old building just a stone's throw from the main civic square (Piazza Signoria), this charming little boutique hotel offers peace and elegance. Many of the rooms have 18th-century frescoes on their ceilings, and all have hydromassage showers (some have a steam room). You can enjoy an aperitivo from the bar, and sip it in a comfortable sitting room.

Horseback trail rides through Tuscany's cowboy country are an integral part of the experience at this family-run country inn, where your hosts can arrange picnics, suggest itineraries, and organize weeklong tours. But nonriders don't have to mope at the bar—this agriturismo also has a pool and idyllic views. Rooms are plainly decorated with modern wooden wardrobes and desks; most are carpeted; some are enlivened by wood-beam ceilings.

The Zani family runs this modern, centrally located hotel, which has welcoming public spaces, warm-color guest rooms, and one of the city's most appealing restaurants. Select from classic rooms or those with a more contemporary style, all with comfortable beds and updated bathrooms. The Ristorante Novecento serves wonderful dishes paired with local wines; they also make gluten-free dishes upon request.

Set in a molto charming garden atop the Aventine Hill, this refurbished 19th-century villa is a romantic retreat. One of the perks of staying here, apart from the peace and tranquility, is the close proximity to Rome's gems, like the famous keyhole of the Grand Priory of the Knights of Malta where you can catch a tiny glimpse of St. Peter's dome. The decor blends bits of antique Baroque flair (such as period chandeliers) with contemporary touches like the in-room portable handset loaded with data and maps. Each guest room is uniquely designed to follow a particular theme, like the "Room of the Poems," which features verse beautifully scrawled onto the walls.

Cortona might tempt you to step back in time and stay there awhile, and the spacious, beamed, richly furnished rooms in this 15th-century town-center palazzo provide the perfect hideaway. Many rooms and the terrace take in sweeping views of tile roofs and the valley below, and the stage-set streets and squares of the medieval town are just outside the door.

For a quiet and welcoming lodging on a residential street a stone's throw from the Basilica di San Vitale, look no further—it even has a delightful garden. Common rooms, like the sitting area, have cheery yellow walls, Oriental rugs, a bit of chintz, gleaming hardwood floors, and Arts and Crafts furniture. Breakfast is served in the garden when it's warm enough, and later on you can relax here with a drink from the honor bar. Rooms and bathrooms are surprisingly large by Italian standards. Several have private terraces overlooking the garden (two open right on to it), and two can connect, making it good for families.

Set in the shadow of St. Peter's, this small hotel is a good value, with simply decorated, ample guest rooms that feature wood-beam ceilings, parquet floors, and comfy beds. The spacious attic rooms also have tiny terraces. Frescoes in the vaulted breakfast room, as well as the fountain in the courtyard, are romantic touches.

The atmosphere here is welcoming, hospitable, and enthusiastic, and the staff goes out of their way to ensure a fine stay; rooms in the back look out onto the lush grounds or the countryside in the distance. When it's warm, breakfast is served in the flower-filled garden with a view, providing a gorgeous start to the day.