123 Best Hotels in Italy

In a 19th-century lakeside palace, Riva's most chic hotel has a high-end spa; sleek public spaces with turquoise mod couches and classic floor-to-ceiling windows; and contemporary guest rooms, where slate floors and brown-and-gray color schemes are offset by crisp white linens. Zefiro, with inspiring lakeside views, serves expertly prepared dishes using local ingredients and has a comprehensive wine list with interesting options from nearby producers; it's open for dinner. A bistro and bar, LIDO, is open for lunch and dinner. Save time for the tranquil 16,000-square-foot spa area with indoor and outdoor heated pools, steam baths, sauna, relaxation room, and a full range of decadent treatments.

You'll find enough classic Venetian characteristics to remind you of where you are, but not so many as to be stuffy or ostentatious. The homey yet elegant feel is accentuated by period furniture, parquet and Venetian terrazzo flooring, and tall windows, some of which open onto small balconies (ask for a room with a canal view). While you're not "steps from San Marco," you are still handy to some major tourist attractions, in addition to the characteristic shopping, eateries, and residential ambience in San Polo and Santa Croce. Service is personal, thorough, and thoughtful. There's no elevator, but all rooms are on one level, one flight up.

Not only is this handsome hotel at the top of Via Veneto and next to the Villa Borghese park something of a beacon on the Rome landscape, but its guest rooms are among the largest in the city. The design of the rooms feels distinguished, and many face the enchanting gardens of the Villa Borghese, including the suites, each of which is unique and has carefully chosen antiques. On-site amenities include a fitness center and a lovely rooftop restaurant.

This outpost of the Spanish hotel brand ME by Meliá has a lively party atmosphere, with rousing music playing in the lobby, a design-conscious vibe, and a happening rooftop bar with panoramic city views. Rooms have a dark and moody feel, done up in browns and neutral colors and hung with oversized arty photographs. The hotel includes modern steak house STK restaurant, complete with its own DJ after 10 pm, while Radio Rooftop Bar is the perfect place for an aperitivo while mingling with a fashionable crowd.

Modern, bright, and sleekly decorated guest rooms and the on-site gourmet restaurant add allure to this five-star chain hotel in the modern part of the city. The wide variety of amenities includes plasma TVs and some Jacuzzi tubs, but all of this chic luxury is relatively inexpensive for hotels in the area. Breakfast can be omitted from your booking, if preferred.

Step out of this charming, clean, well-run hotel, and you'll feel like you've landed in the middle of an ancient imperial stomping ground; a stone's throw from the Forum, it's surrounded by the breathtaking splendor of ancient ruins. Guest rooms are on the small side but are modern and offer good value for the location; they feature large comfy orthopedic beds with hounds-tooth-plaid headboards, parquet flooring, marble baths, air-conditioning, and soundproof windows. The Aurora Bistrot & Bar, located in the lounge of the hotel, serves brunch every day and aperitivo in the evenings.

It would be hard to find a modern hotel closer to the Roman Forum—the ancient ruins are practically right outside the door. Rooms feature sleek contemporary furniture and wallpaper stamped with villas from Rome's past. Don't miss drinks on the rooftop terrace, which provides bird's-eye views of Piazza Venezia, Trajan's Column, and the domes of the Santissima Nome di Maria al Foro Traiano Church.

This former palace was formally named Palazzo Barbarigo della Terrazza because of its unique open-air terrace. While it is not unusual to find an opulent hotel along the Grand Canal, it is unusual to discover black marble, matte lacquer, indirect lighting, and 1940s design perfectly ensconced in a 16th-century Venetian palace. Massive mirrors soar from floor to ceiling to create a feeling of spaciousness. Each room, whether suite or standard, feels like a refuge; a long, ultra-chic bar runs the length of the piano nobile (principal floor) to a balcony above the canal, just large enough for a table and two chairs.

Occupying a 19th-century villa up the steps from Atrani's harbor, this hotel has unrivaled beach vistas and a pop-art design-theme, evident in both the modern lobby and in the colorful, individually designed guest rooms, each one dedicated to a movie actress. The star attraction, though, is the Nel Blue beauty center, with its mosaic walls, infused lighting, and selection of massages. Climb to the top-floor solarium for a 180-degree view over Atrani.

The perfect place to play the part of a Florentine aristocrat is here at this 16th-century palazzo, which despite its massive halls and sweeping staircase could almost feel like home.

A member of Marriott's Autograph Collection, this boutique hotel is a sleek retreat in the center of the action. The design is clean lined and modern, with amenities like smart TVs, minibars stocked with full-size bottles of wine, and smartphones you can use while exploring the city. The Michelin-starred restaurant, Idylio by Apreda, serves creative cuisine by one of Rome's most renowned chefs, Francesco Apreda (formerly of the Hassler), and the Divinity Terrace on the rooftop offers a relaxing spot for an aperitivo (aperitif) surrounded by the church domes and terra-cotta roofs of Rome.

Housed within the handsome Palazzo Rosso, the former residence of Ostuni's first mayor has been transformed from near dereliction to a stunning boutique hotel. Expect quirky artworks and design both ancient and modern throughout, from the Cuban-flavored bar and cozy lounges to a series of one-off guest rooms and outside area with a chic pool and intriguing corners.     

The 1960s-era facade of this large, seven-story hotel designed by Gio Ponti contrasts with the turn-of-the-20th-century Italian court decor and the extensive botanical garden outside, resulting in a combination of traditional elegance and contemporary pleasure. Windows in every room overlook an ocean of green, surmounted by St. Peter's dome. The hotel has wonderful indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a piano bar with stained glass and carved walnut appointments, a massive spa, and chamber music in the garden.

Family owned and operated by Maria Pia and her siblings, this boutique hotel is a unique find on the island, offering quiet luxury, the warmest Italian hospitality, and a sophisticated yet relaxed environment. The beautiful white structure (typical of Panarea) was originally the first and only supermarket on the island—and had the very first telephone. It's been an affittacamere (old Italian guesthouse) since 1964, having been transformed into a lovely oasis overlooking the sea with tastefully designed rooms, a good restaurant, and a staff that make you feel like you are home.

The focus at this famiglia Mellino–run hotel and Italian nouvelle restaurant is on both fine food and relaxation: the becalming Nerano environs and gorgeous rooms—all of them whitewashed with splashes of bold color and some of them with two-person whirlpool tubs—make it a pleasure to fall into bed. Dine indoors in the chic modern dining room with new open kitchen, on the big terrace in a lemon grove, or have a homemade limoncello in the brick-arched cantina stocked from fine vineyards north of Salerno. "A hop, skip, and a jump" is how the name translates colloquially—appropriately so, because it's in Nerano, a five-minute drive from Marina del Cantone, in the groves of the peninsula hillsides.

For those not requiring an elevator, this small, well-managed B&B—with simple but stylish, high-ceilinged rooms and a fabulous and funky breakfast setting overlooking Corso Italia—is an excellent choice near all the action.

Fresh flowers in the foyer and personal attention from the staff help make this small, family-run residence close to Termini station feel like a gracious home. The lobby's glossy floors, elegant door moldings, and handsome wood Empire-style desk and chairs make a sweet impression. There are only six rooms, each of which is traditionally furnished—accentuated with fine draperies, warm wooden parquet floors, and authentic decorative stucco ceilings.

Set in a quiet residential neighborhood amid 15 acres of lush Mediterranean parkland, the Rome Cavalieri is a true hilltop oasis with magnificent views as well as three outdoor pools, one indoor pool, and a palatial spa. Rooms (ask for one facing the city) are spacious, with private balconies, striped damask, puffy armchairs, and no shortage of luxe amenities, including a pillow menu and luxurious bath products. The rooftop restaurant, La Pergola, is one of the best in the city.

This modern hotel has large, soundproofed rooms with contemporary furnishings, hardwood floors, and huge fluffy beds. Staffers go out of their way to make you feel at home. The vast breakfast spread has Italian and American foods as well as options for special diets. A rooftop terrace has great views of the city, and there's a small gym in the basement.

With its heated seawater swimming pool in a tropical garden and guest rooms (some with sea views) with an attention to traditional design and modern amenities, this is considered one of Liguria's most luxurious resorts. On the terrace, candlelight dining and music are offered in warm weather. Keep your eyes open for off-season discounts. The Royal is only a few moments from the world-famous casino.

Located steps from the bustling southern end of Via del Corso in the former headquarters of the Singer Sewing Company, Singer Palace is a boutique hotel that offers convenient access to Rome's cultural and commercial hubs. Its great location and accommodating staff make it an ideal base for exploring the city's famous landmarks and indulging in shopping along Via del Corso.

On the shore boulevard opposite the Villa Las Tronas and 15 minutes from the airport, this grand, modern hotel (pronounced "Carlos Quinto") has an array of gardens and terraces, as well as a saltwater pool with sea views and a separate children's pool. The spa and wellness center offer a range of treatments, and there's a fully equipped gym and a tennis court.  Don't settle for a slightly cheaper room facing the back; the pleasure is all in the magnificent vistas from your spacious balcony.

Set in a refurbished 1902 Victorian palace, the Sofitel—which has a long-standing good reputation with business travelers—exudes old-world elegance with modern-design sensibility. The hotel is cleverly situated on a quiet street between the hot spots of Via Veneto and the Spanish Steps. The ethereal guest rooms are decorated in subdued tones with flowing white drapes and peeks of pastel frescoes. All feature amenities such as Diptyque toiletries, Bose stereo systems, and Nespresso machines. The rooftop restaurant, Settimo, is the perfect place to watch the sun set over the city.

A pastel oasis of calm amid hectic Piazza Garibaldi, this sleek, clean, and stylish hotel has up-to-date, comfortable rooms. The big pluses are the excellent staff and emphasis on fine food—the chef here is known to invent dishes with what's available at the market on a given day. Other draws include a panoramic roof terrace and a small gym. The closest hotel to the station, Terminus is also near the main highways to Rome and the south.

The only five-star hotel on the island, this dramatically situated resort excels at the concept of Italian benessere (well-being) with a spa that uses salt water in their treatments. Opt for a massage outside overlooking the sea. Four on-site bars and restaurants (including one vegetarian option and two with one Michelin star) mean that you can fully relax into vacation mode and never leave the property.

For a taste of medieval Florence, stay in one of these character-filled guest rooms—some with canopied beds, some with balconies—housed within a 13th-century tower. The Torre Guelfa once protected the wealthy Acciaiuoli family; now it's one of the best small hotels in the center of Florence. A simple yet ample breakfast (think Continental-plus) is served in a serene glassed-in loggia.

Just across the street from Villa Borghese, this four-star boutique hotel, built in 1889 and decorated like a throwback to that era, is popular with American business travelers. The hotel is handsomely adorned with Oriental rugs, oil paintings, and fresh flowers throughout the common areas. Floral prints and fabrics are a common theme in the guest rooms, on wallpaper and matching bedspreads and drapes. Make sure to ask for a room on one of the upper floors to get a glimpse of the gardens.

A narrow winding road takes you from town to this imposing villa, now a luxurious hotel retreat thanks to its valley and lake views and its peaceful grounds, which have an outdoor pool and a tennis court. You may think twice about a busy sightseeing itinerary once you've settled into a sunny spot, cool drink in hand.

The former summer residence of a local aristocrat has been converted into a luxurious hotel in which each individually styled guest room is furnished with antiques and has a balcony with a view. The public spaces include an intimate wood-paneled library. The vast roof terrace, where a fantastic breakfast is served, takes in a wide panorama embracing Etna and the bay below. There is a shuttle bus service to the town.

Abundant breakfasts and communal dinner parties on Tuesday and Friday at the guest-only restaurant are just some of the things that make a stay at Fontelunga feel like you're staying with family. In fact, its owners, Paolo Kastelec and Philip Robinson, have gone to great lengths to make every space in this boutique hotel feel cozy and warm from the overstuffed armchairs in the living room to the bright Tuscan prints on the bedspreads. Outside, olive groves and perfectly trimmed hedges frame sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside.