585 Best Hotels in Italy

Hardwood floors, vibrant wallpaper, extensive original artwork, and spacious rooms are the hallmarks of this charming boutique property. On the ground floor, there's a small shop full of stylish housewares that feels like a photo stylist's prop closet. And though the property is located on one of the city's principal streets, the heavy windows ensure a good night's sleep. Two of the rooms have private terraces.

The 18th-century Villa Athena, updated into a sleek, luxurious place to stay, complete with gorgeous manicured gardens and swimming pool, holds a privileged position directly overlooking the Temple of Concordia, a 10-minute walk away—an amazing sight both during the day and when it's lit up at night. Although the hotel's bar and lobby area are on the small side, the whitewashed guest rooms have either pretty blue-tile or polished wood floors, and many feature a balcony or terrace; just make sure to request a room with a temple view, since some overlook the parking lot instead. The amenities are top-notch, too: the well-regarded restaurant serves up a bountiful breakfast buffet, and the spa is a lovely place to unwind after a day hiking around the temples.

Following a magnificent renovation by the Rocco Forte group, this Art Nouveau fantasy created by architect Ernesto Basile for the Florio family at the turn of the 20th century has been restored to its original glamour and glory. Set on the edge of a beautiful bay, a stroll around the tropical gardens reveals such relics as an ancient Greek temple-folly at the water's edge, while the jewel in the crown of the interior is the gorgeously frescoed Basile room. Rooms are large, and lavishly appointed, and many have balconies. A spacious and highly rated restaurant and bar unfold onto a panoramic terrace. Superb cocktails as well. 

This art-filled boutique hotel (one of the two sister-owners is a photographer) surrounded by vineyards exudes a sense of casual luxury and a modern design aesthetic, from the sitting room with an open fireplace to the lively outdoor pool with retro snack bar. Guest rooms in soothing colors include vintage furnishings, high-end fabrics, and mod brightly tiled bathrooms (all with showers). Enjoy well-prepared seasonal dishes for lunch or dinner in the arch-ceilinged restaurant, or nibbles outside by the pool in the summer season. The large yoga studio (an instructor is available with advance booking) affords wonderful views, and you can borrow bikes for free to explore the surrounding hillsides.

In this tall and imposing villa, 15 minutes out of town, public rooms are outfitted in Renaissance style and guest rooms have high ceilings, plush carpeting, and deep bathtubs. A pool and beautiful views of the Arno are bonuses. So, too, is the up-to-the-minute spa. A shuttle bus runs every hour to and from the center of Florence, but the place is so peaceful, you might not want to bother.

The hotel, a 19th-century merchant's mansion modeled after a Chinese temple, has a pool, a private park, access to the famed clifftop walk, and magnificent ocean views; request a tower room for the best vantage point. This retreat is the best of both worlds, as you can enjoy peace and quiet or be in bustling Genoa in 15 minutes.

Hoteliers Sara and Elena Maestrelli partnered with solely Italian designers on every aspect of their 17th-century palazzo-turned-hotel, from ceramics to window frames to wall paintings, in what they call an “Italian artisanal product,” overlooking Rio San Moise canal. Light and bright guest rooms range from cozy classic style to decadent suites with panoramic water views. Il Piccolo restaurant serves homestyle Venetian cuisine, with a strong focus on vegetables, while Il Piccolo Bar dishes out lighter meals of cicheti (also with a vegetarian version) and cocktails. This is one home-away-from-home you may never want to leave.

Set inside a 12th-century monastery, this romantic boutique hotel is surrounded by greenery and filled with art. Rooms fuse mid-century modern with Italian style; most have king-size beds and underfloor heating. Some suites offer a private terrace, garden, or whirlpool tub. The restaurant focuses on local, organic ingredients, with vegetables at the center. The outdoor pool is lovely, and although there’s no spa, treatments are offered in the rooms upon request.

Run by an American couple, this welcoming, community-oriented hostel near Termini Station offers private rooms as well as regular hostel beds in dorms. There's a lovely garden for lounging with a cup of coffee and a bagel in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening. Aperitivo evenings feature cocktails, beer, and organic wine. There are no TVs in the rooms, but all rooms have air-conditioning. Rooms with a shared bathroom have a sink in the room. All rooms have access to self-catering kitchen facilities. Dorm beds start from as little as €25–€30 in low season.

This luxurious retreat, magnificently set on a bluff high over the Bay of Naples, is one of Italy's most legendary hotels, complete with Art Deco touches throughout; lounges and salons decorated with avant-garde artwork and trompe-l'oeil frescoes; and guest rooms that range from sleekly modern to sumptuously fanciful. Breakfast and dine in style in the Mimmo Iodice room surrounded by gorgeous photography and panoramic vistas over the bay---or under the cliff-top wisteria pergola.

From the cozy yet sophisticated lobby, with its stone columns, to the guest rooms decorated with prints, you might feel as if you're a guest in a manor house. In fact, painstaking care has gone into making this hotel among the prettiest and most intimate in town. It has the bonus of being in the center of the centro storico, making this a luxurious base from which to explore the city.

Traditional, tasteful Venetian decor takes on a Carnevale theme in cozy, well-appointed, and comfortable rooms are enlivened by fanciful wall murals. A relaxed atmosphere pervades at this hotel's divine hot breakfast, where it is common to become engrossed in conversation with other guests as gondolas glide lazily by the water-level windows: this lovely state-of-mind is created by the hotel's attentive staff (but can be ruined by a plague of singing gondoliers!). Common areas have warm mahogany paneling, tufted leather furniture, beamed ceilings, and tapestries.

At this all-suites property, tucked away on a leafy street known for its art galleries, the amenities are top drawer, the design is contemporary, the restaurant features a verdant terrace, and the accommodations have a hip New York–loft feel. Some suites are in the main building at Via Margutta 19; others are in an annex at Via Margutta 54, which once held studio lofts used by Picasso and other great painters. Travelers looking for a little more privacy or space can rent the entire top floor of the annex, as the rooms are adjoining. These rooms are less expensive than the rooms in the main building, but don't come with breakfast; and note that light sleepers might be able to hear the Metro pass underground at night.

Designed by Le Corbusier, this former private villa became a satellite headquarters for America's central command during World War II and hosted Churchill and Eisenhower; today, it's one of Capri's most beautiful hotels, with a breathtaking location on Punta Tragara; public areas adorned with baronial fireplaces, gilded antiques, and travertine marble; and guest rooms that are simultaneously sumptuous and cozy-casual. The dreamy garden is a showstopper, with two pools (one jet-powered) beside the idyllic arbor-covered restaurant, Monzù.

Just southeast of Nuoro, in the foothills of the Supramonte range, Su Gologone combines luxury with rural flavor in guest rooms that feel like country retreats (exposed beams, wooden chests, traditional Sardinian fabrics) and a rustic restaurant that pairs local cannonau reds with such Sardinian specialties as maccarones de busa (thick homemade pasta twists), culurgiones (ravioli), suckling pig, and, for dessert, sebadas (fried-dough pockets stuffed with cheese and lemon peel). Relax around the large swimming pool and in the lounging areas, or coordinate with staff members to organize 4WD or hiking expeditions.

On a pedestrian-only street near the Pantheon, this lovely little hotel has an air of warmth and serenity, as well as a rooftop bar with great views of Rome. The exterior hasn't changed much since Stendhal stayed here in the 1800s; the interior, however, has been nicely restyled, with tasteful contemporary color schemes and furnishings, hardwood floors, and fully updated bathrooms.

Set dramatically in the foothills, the Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti is a luxe chalet home base for skiing the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage peaks—with two lifts within walking distance—or exploring the spectacular surroundings with cable car rides, hiking, and mountain- or e-biking. Dating to 1810, this family-friendly property has remained in the Sanoner family and was the first of their Adler resort group. Its 108 rooms are understated in warm wood, with some opening to balconies facing the 10,436-foot-high Sassolungo, the landmark of Val Gardena. The gym also highlights the view, as do some areas of the 37,000-square-foot spa, which features two heated indoor-outdoor pools (open year-round), a rooftop sauna, heated whirlpool, subterranean salt grotto, and treatments using organic house-brand face, hair, and body products. Regional, seasonal food is a focus here, with an impressive breakfast buffet and daily multi-course dinners.

The refreshingly funky surroundings in this self-styled art hotel include sponge-painted walls, brush-painted chandeliers, and views of the spires and cupolas of the Basilica di Sant'Antonio. The color-theme guest rooms, from eye-popping red to meditative white, upend sterile hotel decor, and there are tranquil corners including a flowery courtyard garden.

Ask for a room with a balcony: the view of the imposing Dolomites is the real attraction in accommodations that pleasantly blend rustic and contemporary furnishings. The reception area is spacious and welcoming, and the spa is a lovely place to relax.

Originally opened in the late 19th century and restored a century later, this small, charming place exhibits a Venetian influence, with Murano chandeliers hanging from the high coffered wood ceilings in common rooms. The second floor, where most of those are sited, is well appointed, with antique furniture and chandeliers, and the breakfast room is adorned with a vibrant border of 17th-century frescoes. Such simple elegance extends to guest rooms, with their comfortable beds and sweeping drapes; the Sogno Amaranto suite has gorgeous frescoes. On-site is a lively wine bar serving light meals, lunches, and dinners, plus a restaurant serving local specialties.

A stone's throw from Piazza Maggiore, this place that started out as a pensione in 1875 has endured into the 21st century with a winning combination of comfort, affordability, and some family-size rooms. Rooms are simply furnished, and those facing the inner courtyard (without a view) are really quiet; many are triples and quads. The bathrooms are large by Italian standards (though not all rooms have a private one). A copious buffet breakfast includes breads, pastries, yogurt, and cheese, along with local specialties like mortadella. Parking is usually available in the nearby square. Note that a major renovation will mean that no rooms will have any view of the city until the completion of work in early 2021.

An 18th-century farmhouse nestled in the hills of Monterotondo di Gavi is home to this charming hotel—part of the Villa Sparina Resort—surrounded by a park and vineyards with a wonderfully secluded outdoor pool and a gourmet restaurant. Comfortable, spacious guest rooms include eclectic, homey furnishings and wood floors. La Gallina restaurant, open for lunch and dinner, serves up Piedmontese cuisine with a contemporary spin, and also offers a dedicated vegan menu. You can reach the large outdoor pool (open summers only) with a short walk through the vineyards, or try the spa with fitness center and steam bath. Wine lovers will want to make a reservation to visit on-site Villa Sparina winery for informative cellar tours and wine tastings.

Just across from the magnificent steps leading to Amalfi's cathedral, this tiny, family-run pensione has a cute "Room with a View" lobby that's as big as a Victorian closet and guest rooms (most overlooking the Duomo) that range from cozy to a family-friendly triple, plus a mini-apartment.   

Guests choose this hotel, run by members of the same family for 200 years, not only for its prime location, but also for its welcoming staff, top-notch service, and comfy beds. The decor is nothing to write home about: the lobby is an all-white affair with furniture you might find in your grandmother's house, and some rooms are a bit bland. For families or those looking for a bit more space, Santa Chiara has suites that can accommodate two to five people. Most, but not all, of the rooms and suites have small showers (and no bathtubs). If you'd like more room when you're scrubbing down, request on booking.

In addition to Lake Como panoramas, this early-20th-century Art Nouveau landmark has marbled public spaces and guest rooms with floral fabrics, walnut wardrobes, and silk-covered sofas. Relax with a drink on the garden terrace, or enjoy a romantic meal, ensconced in a plush, red-velvet chair at the candlelit Bar delle Terme restaurant.

One of the best-situated hotels in the city provides understated modern rooms and public areas that tend toward the minimalist without being severe, while the intimate breakfast room with mid-century Eames Eiffel chairs and adjoining terrace is a tranquil place to start the day. The hotel's combination of well-maintained rooms, friendly staff, and a quiet yet central location make it an attractive choice. There's 24-hour room service but no minibars in the rooms.

Fashionable couples and families tend to favor the Aleph, a former bank–turned–luxury hotel, where the motto seems to be "more marble, everywhere." The abundant facilities include a rooftop pool and bar, a cigar lounge, a lobby bar, the casual 1930s Restaurant for breakfast and lunch, and the more upscale Sky Restaurant. Rooms are crisp and modern, and service is everything one would expect from a hotel of this caliber. If money is no object, book the Barberini Suite, which has its own terrace.

You'll experience exquisite service and pampering at this neoclassical landmark on the Piazza della Repubblica built on the foundations of the Baths of Diocletian—it's now run by Anantara, a luxury hotel brand with roots in Thailand. The public spaces, including the reception, lobby bar, fine dining INEO Restaurant, SEEN by Olivier rooftop restaurant and bar (offering spectacular city views), and Anantara Spa with hydrotherapy treatments and an outdoor pool were renovated in 2022, so they feel sleek and modern, while the rooms have kept a more traditional style, with heavy draperies and antique furniture.

A feeling of relaxation prevails in this 19th-century building, and the neighborhood—the church that houses The Last Supper is a block away—is one of Milan's most desired and historic. Half the rooms face a courtyard and the others a back garden; many have balconies, and one ground-floor room has a private garden with table and chairs. Though the buffet breakfast is not included in the lowest rates, it's available for an extra charge and earns high praise from guests.

A true Venetian institution, this small, historic hotel with a beautiful garden restaurant has hosted such famous guests as Gabriele D'Annunzio, Ezra Pound, Robert De Niro, and David Bowie. Works by many of the artists who stayed (or dined) here are displayed on the restaurant's walls, a remarkable gallery of 20th-century art. Modernization of the facilities hasn't altered its unabashedly old-fashioned atmosphere, and some of the rooms are, for Venice, surprisingly spacious.