223 Best Hotels in Italy

On the coastal road between Crotone and Capo Colonna, a little out of town and just 8 km (5 miles) from the Sanctuary of Hera Lacinia, the '70s-style Helios has crystal clear shores nearby and a pool, terrace, restaurant, and snack bar—all on-site.

Across from the Herculaneum archaeological site, this budget-friendly bed-and-breakfast could use a refresh, though it has views of the ruins and the sea and is much quieter than its counterparts in Naples, making it a good base for exploring nearby Pompeii and Oplontis as well as Herculaneum. There's space to relax on the terrace and breakfast room; some rooms have small balconies with views of the archaeological site.

The location near the railway and a gas station may not entice, but Termini's most comfortable, well-run hotel has spacious, modern rooms and the decent AmeTerra restaurant. 

Just a few minutes' walk from the Duomo and the Museo del Violino, this comfortable hotel with functional yet pleasant rooms (the best of which overlook the piazza) is well equipped to satisfy both leisure and business travelers. Note, too, that the Impero makes a convenient base for those (wisely) disinclined to navigate old Cremona by car.

Set in a handsome 17th-century palazzo on slightly scruffy but charming Piazza Fontana, this self-styled "boutique hotel" has limestone walls, coved ceilings and warm off-white hues throughout, with many guest rooms having sea or church views and terraces. With only 11 rooms the family-run charm and care extends to the excellent buffet breakfast and fabulous, helpful staff.  

For a convenient, short stay near the port, this sleek, modern hotel offers comfortable rooms, a lounge bar, a bistro restaurant, and a lovely roof garden. It's a reliable option.

Set in a quiet campo, this renovated 15th-century Gothic-Byzantine palazzo has simple but spacious rooms and lovely public spaces filled with chandeliers, 18th-century paintings, and period reproduction furnishings. Breakfast is served in the main common area, with its high ceilings, stunning pastel stuccowork, Venetian terrazzo floors, and Murano glass chandeliers.

There's nothing much more dramatic than lying poolside here, with views of the sea in one direction and a prime view of the volcano in the other. This hotel got a facelift in 2018 and has comfortable but simple rooms. It's known as a very reliable option on an island where dependable lodging isn't always easy to find.

This independent hotel provides tidy accommodations in the style you might expect in a chain aimed at business travelers, but the name and ambience of the hotel are much more connected to the town's local spirit. It's thanks to Anassila, the tyrant who ruled Reggio, that Messina got its name sometime around 491 BC, in honor of his homeland (Messenia) in Greece. And he was given the right to mint money, coins called Messenion, which were vital to the growth of trade in the area. 

This 16th-century family palazzo has been beautifully restored, with inviting public spaces and handsome guest quarters where contemporary surroundings are accented by old beams, vaulted ceilings, and other distinctive touches. This hotel is often preferred by local winemakers and other professionals for its updated look. With a convenient location near the church of San Giovanni, it's a lovely, short walk past Piazza della Repubblica to the Duomo.

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. 

This pleasant and affordable family-run hotel in a quiet residential area outside the old city center is pleasantly set amid a grove of olive trees. Some of the spacious rooms, though a tad dated, have views of the city. Adjacent parking is ample and free.

Contemporary art mixed with antique furnishings, creamy marble floors, and vaulted ceilings evoke a luxurious private home in a residential area near Palermo's glitzy shopping district. It's easy to get comfortable in the understated surroundings; relax in the library with an aperitif, or have a workout in the fitness room. Rooms are simple yet elegant, with fine linens, soothing neutral colors, and more modern art.

Close to the port and the main downtown sights, this large, modern hotel attracts both vacationers and businesspeople with a quiet, friendly ambience and spacious, sober rooms. Breakfast choices include local pastries, fresh fruit, and cooked options, and there’s a handy lounge-bar and a popular restaurant. The internal garage is a rarity in Cagliari.

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.

Convenient to Rio Marina's charming town center and gravel beach, this comfortable hotel has pretty sea views, especially from one of the five rooms that have terraces facing the sea. Use of beach chairs and umbrellas is complimentary.

Renovation of this 15th-century building took a decidedly minimalist approach: the breakfast room, lounges, and guest rooms feature plenty of light wood, mood lighting, and sleek, angular design. The restaurant offers a seasonally changing menu that includes some traditional local dishes as well as novel flavor combinations and culinary techniques.

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.

Amid a large garden on the hillside above Tremezzo, this hotel offers small, private, comfortably simple rooms; a pool with a nice view; and a popular restaurant that serves tasty Italian classics. A shuttle for arrival and departure at the Tremezzo ferry stop can be arranged.

The only hotel located in Alghero's central Catalan quarter occupies an ex-convent once attached to the church of San Francesco. The somewhat cramped and cell-like guest rooms are ranged around the atmospheric 14th-century cloister where breakfast is taken. Though short on comforts, all accommodations have air-conditioning and private bathrooms, and are surprisingly quiet considering the central location. There's no elevator, and a three- to seven-night minimum stay in summer.

Within the town's medieval walls, this convent-turned-hotel has wood-beam ceilings, graceful archways, and terra-cotta floors, with nice contemporary furnishings and ironwork in the rooms. Sip a beverage or write a postcard on the small terrace filled with potted geraniums; the pool area is framed on one side by a church with a stained-glass window of The Last Supper.

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.

It's a revelation to find this smart boutique hotel, a former convent, buried within Trapani's rather neglected former Jewish neighborhood close to the port. Once within its doors, though, you'll find everything clean, calm, and orderly, with soothing colors, contemporary furnishings, and bathrooms with spacious walk-in showers. Breakfast, which is an optional extra, is served in the courtyard and includes fresh fruit and croissants with honey. The reception staff is quick to recommend and book a spot for your evening meal, and can arrange to have your vehicle parked in a secure garage and delivered when needed.

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.

A 15th-century palazzo in the center of town is the setting for this classic, comfortable, and relatively affordable hotel, where front rooms have terraces with breathtaking lake views and the rooftop terrace is a perfect retreat from summer's crowded beaches.

Set in a centuries-old palazzo that's just a two-minute walk up from Via Toledo, beside the Teatro Nuovo and not too far from the Centro Storico, this boutique hotel has Spanish-style architectural and design elements and a rooftop terrace.

Rooms on the upper floors of this charming 16th-century town house near Piazza del Comune look out over the Assisi rooftops to the valley below, as does the sunny, vine-covered terrace. The tone is traditional, and the owners and staff will go out of their way to make you feel at home.

Just a few steps down from the luxurious Villa Ducale Hotel—but several degrees more affordable—this cozy, family-run villa sits on the hillside, removed from the action of Taormina. The spacious guest rooms all have balconies from which to admire the looming profile of Etna and the sparkling waters of the Ionian Sea. Breakfast is taken in the glass-fronted restaurant overlooking the terraces of a lushly planted garden; along with the bar, it forms the social hub of the hotel.

This tranquil villa from the 1970s is perched at the edge of the Ganzirri Lake and looks out over shady gardens, sunny terraces, and a secluded infinity pool. Guest rooms are not shy of color and are just a few steps away from spa treatments and a gym. From here, it's an easy walk around the lake or to the beaches of Capo Peloro.

Although this hotel caters mainly to business travelers, its location near the main sights in Trani's historic center makes it a decent value option for tourists. Guest rooms are simply furnished (even a little old-fashioned), and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. Restaurant meals are well priced if somewhat basic.