135 Best Hotels in Italy

People come from all over the world to enjoy the quiet country life in this 16th-century farmhouse, where rooms are furnished with unadorned wooden furniture. Dinners, which are included in rates along with breakfast, are inventive. The friendly owner, who speaks English, enjoys serving local dishes and wine while sparking conversation at the dinner table.

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.

Spacious rooms in an 18th-century building on Asti's main square are eclectically decorated, with a mix of contemporary and period furniture. Though this is one of the oldest hotels in Asti, most of the bathrooms have been modernized and well maintained.

In what was originally an olive oil mill, this boutique property has sweeping views of Montepulciano and Monte Amiata and rooms inspired by a traditional Tuscan aesthetic, with elements such as herringbone terra-cotta floors and patterned satin linens. The restaurant is headed by Tuscan chef and cookbook author Marco Leonelli, who prepares contemporary Italian and Mediterranean dishes using seasonal produce grown on-site or nearby. 

Set within the former cloister grounds of the Santa Chiara order, with beautiful gardens, Le Clarisse makes you feel like you're staying at a close friend's villa, thanks to the comfortable size of the guest rooms and personalized service. This charming oasis features simple but classically styled accommodations with terra-cotta-tiled floors, wrought-iron bed frames, and oak furnishings; some rooms open onto a bright courtyard surrounded by a Mediterranean garden of grapevines and olive and lemon trees.

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.

One floor of a 19th-century palazzo, next to the town hall on Oristano's traffic-free main square, has been tastefully converted into a small but stylish guest house, with rich furnishings, chandeliers, antique murals, and domed ceilings. There are quirky touches, too—one room, for example, has a spiral staircase leading to a modern bathroom, another is octagonal and has a painted ceiling and views of the statue of Eleanor of Arborea in the piazza below. Vouchers are provided for breakfast at a nearby bar. The hostess is friendly and attentive.

This comfortable mountain refuge in Piano Battaglia, in the heart of Parco delle Madonie at the base of Monte Mufara, has a restaurant and compact, functional rooms, some with bunk beds designed for families.

At this working farm about 3 km (2 miles) from Paestum's Greek temples, befriend the resident dogs so they will accompany you on country walks or bike rides, and opt for half board to enjoy home-produced mozzarella and rich buffalo stew. You'll dine at a table with other guests before withdrawing to your charming wood-beamed guest room in one of the 19th-century baronial buildings. The Baronessa Cecilia herself presides over all, aided by sons Ettore and Massimino. Cookery courses and visits to the family's nearby cheese-making farm (meet the buffalo!) can be organized, and bicycles may be borrowed.

A perfect retreat for families, this tranquil hilltop agriturismo (farm stay) offers simple, comfortably decorated accommodations on extensive grounds 5 km (3 miles) from the hubbub of San Gimignano. Directly on the Via Francigena, a medieval pilgrimage route, it's also ideal for those who like to walk; you can order a relaxing massage at the end of a day of trekking. A restaurant is on the premises, so you may choose to stay put in these pleasant surroundings for meals.

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.

Set inside a tower that dates from the 1300s, this small but cozy hotel offers two private rooms on the edge of the historic center. Each room takes up an entire floor of the medieval building and has been outfitted with an irresistible mix of antique furniture and modern fixtures, all curated by the husband-and-wife owners who happen to be former students of architecture.

An elegant villa painted antique rose appears at the end of a tree-lined driveway perched on top of a hill off the main road just before Montemerano. It has expansive views and quintessential Tuscan charm. Tastefully decorated rooms—with curly ironwork or tapestries as bed headboards—are in both the main villa and a guesthouse. The farm that fans out around the villa produces fine wine and olive oil.

A beautiful Ligurian villa in the Camogli hills offers chic, contemporary, and comfortable accommodations along with well-manicured gardens and outdoor sitting areas, arbors, and a welcoming pool. This tranquil retreat is a 15-minute walk up shady staircases from the seaside village, and light lunches are available for those who don't feel like venturing out. Minimum stay is two nights.