174 Best Hotels in Italy

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.

A 17th-century palace has been refurbished with 21st-century amenities to provide a lovely place to rest one's head: the suites are under the same management as the Parizzi restaurant (it's a shared entrance), so you can just glide downstairs for a marvelous meal. (Alternatively, room service of the highest quality is available.) All suites—with hardwood floors, high ceilings, and well-supplied kitchens—offer simple elegance at reasonable prices. One is perfect for families; another will suit sybarites who might want to splash around in the Jacuzzi. Rates are lower for weeklong (and long-term) stays.

Far from the madding crowds, Porto Roca is perched on the famous terraced cliffs right over the main beach, with large balconies to savor panoramic views of the magnificent sea. A good restaurant serving well-prepared Ligurian cuisine and a spectacular cliffside pool and solarium make up for the somewhat basic rooms. Book directly with the hotel to take advantage of a discount at the restaurant. There's a two- or three-night minimum stay in high season, and under-14s are not accommodated.

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.

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.

In a pleasant palazzo facing the Arno, a 10-minute walk from the Campo dei Miracoli, this hotel has room styles that range from the 1800s, complete with frescoes, to the 1920s; the most charming are in the old tower. This comfortably furnished property has been in the Piegaja family since 1837, and the continuity may help explain why such notables as Charles Dickens and Charles Lindbergh enjoyed staying here. Cocktails are served in the pretty rooftop garden.

Just a short walk from the old town, this well-kept and well-equipped hotel offers modern rooms with contemporary furnishings and spa and gym facilities. Some guest rooms are in a stylish annex 50 meters away, while the common areas in the lobby and outdoor garden have modern furnishings with pops of color. The staff are very helpful and knowledgeable and will arrange local tours for you.

Opened in 1996, I Sassi claims to be Matera's first "grotto hotel," with rooms inside a succession of caves that overlook the huddle of rooftops and stone stairs down to the valley floor of Sasso Barisano. Most guest rooms have terraces and windows with views across the canyon to the Romanesque cathedral on the skyline—they're equally spectacular at night, when all the houses are lit up.

Perched atop the Spanish Steps, this charming boutique hotel is so popular that it's often booked far in advance. If you're lucky enough to find a vacancy here, you'll enjoy stylish rooms, some of which are accentuated with cheery turquoise and yellow decor. You'll also have a chance to get some Rome insider tips from the friendly owner who is usually in a room near the front desk. The gorgeous rooftop is a wonderful spot to enjoy the free breakfast or a glass of wine.

At this quiet family-run hotel—a short walk from Citara Beach and the crowded Giardini Poseidon spa—each of the tastefully decorated rooms has its own theme; the best and most expensive rooms take advantage of the hotel's panoramic views from the upper-terrace wing. Breakfast is served on a terrace with a view of the sea, and, in the hanging gardens there are four swimming pools, including an infinity pool and one filled by geothermal aquifers 30 feet deep.

Six Senses is known for a focus on 360-degree wellness and sustainability, and the brand's first Italian property is a delight: a luxurious, tranquil retreat in the center of one of the city's busiest neighborhoods, allowing guests to be in the middle of it all while opting out of the usual cacophony of the city center. Set inside a 15th-century palazzo, a monumental Carrara marble staircase connects the four floors of peaceful, earth-toned rooms that use a mix of luxurious natural materials to create small havens of comfort. The spa, which includes Roman-style baths, and a healthy modern restaurant keep to the theme of indulgent well-being.

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.

Spa living might not get any more top-notch than at this resort, where you can roam in a plush white bathrobe (waiting in your room) before dipping into the 37.5°C (100°F) sulfurous pools and where seemingly every possible health and beauty treatment is available. Sleek elegance pervades public and private rooms: tall windows have floor-to-ceiling draperies in rich colors like steel blue and gray or burnt umber and sage; floors are polished wood. Eclectic furniture includes some sleigh-shape benches and oval night tables. You can opt for half or full board to complete the experience.

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.

Lying 5 km (3 miles) outside the hustle and bustle of San Vito in the Castelluzzo neighborhood, this hotel has gardens planted with olive trees and is surrounded by wonderful scenery. There's no pool, but it's within easy distance of some superb beaches. Guest rooms are large and tastefully furnished, and bikes are available for exploring the environs. There's a four- to five-night minimum stay in summer, and, unusually for this area, the hotel remains open in winter.

This seaside resort hotel and spa offers basic rooms and mini-apartments (some with balconies), as well as a pool, restaurant, and the opportunity for a family-friendly experience. 

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.

When the Eternal City becomes too chaotic for you, head to this budget hotel inside a 19th-century Roman villa just minutes from Termini Station. There's a tranquil rose garden where guests typically have breakfast or sip afternoon tea. Rooms are simple and functional, decorated in soft neutral tones.

Housed in an early 20th-century villa, this boutique hotel above Marina Grande amid lush terraced gardens evokes a time when the island was an artists' paradise; most of the sumptuous, modern guest rooms look out over the bay, and each one is individually decorated and named for a Capri luminary. If the sleek hotel's small pool isn't to your liking, choose a suite with a private pool. A shuttle bus meets you at the port, then a welcome drink is served under a shady veranda overlooking the bay, while your luggage is whisked to your room. The Stai Spa offers exclusively designed treatments, while the Ziqù restaurant serves traditional local fare with an original touch.

Run with friendly charm and efficiency, the Novecento is a peaceful haven with the style of a comfortable mountain lodge, complete with a log fire in winter, traditional fabrics, wooden furnishings, and early-19th-century prints. The restaurant, with only a few extra tables for nonguests, serves creative adaptations of traditional cuisine; it's a good choice for a relaxed evening meal after an active day on the slopes.

This modern ski chalet-style hotel just south of Cervinia hits all the marks for an active yet relaxing holiday, with on-site equipment rentals, a large spa complete with swimming pool, and even personal saunas in some guest rooms. Rooms feature woodsy, if a tad basic, decor; all have balconies with views of either the forest or the nearby ski slopes. Panorama Restaurant—with panoramic views of the mountains—serves up traditional Italian dishes with a local spin, as well as an expansive breakfast buffet, while cozy wood-paneled Abrì Restaurant (winter season only) specializes in heartier Valle d’Aosta cuisine such as meat platters, cabbage soup, fondue, and raclette. The spa, which must be reserved in advance, includes an indoor pool, whirlpool, steam room, saunas, a salt relaxation room, and a small gym. Though getting to the town isn’t very walkable, a fast and frequent complimentary shuttle takes guests directly to Cervinia and to the ski lifts.

On a quiet street between Via Veneto and the Spanish Steps, the W Rome brings a calculated cool to an upscale old-world area. Spread across two adjoining 19th-century palazzos, the hotel embraces contemporary luxury with bold colors, sleek leather, and maximalist murals and art in the common spaces. With a rooftop terrace, small pool deck, full gym, interior garden, modern Sicilian restaurant by lauded chef Ciccio Sultano, pastry shop, and a sneakers pop-up store by Big Soup, the hotel embodies la dolce vita and offers more amenities than most in the center of Rome.

This chic hotel may fool you into thinking the digs are expensive, but the contemporary coolness of Yes Hotel, located around the corner from Termini station, actually comes at a bargain. Guest rooms are decorated in crisp neutral colors and modern fabrics, and come with amenities such as flat-screen TVs, top-of-the-line toiletries, and electronic safes.

The friendly and laid-back owners will pamper you at this small agriturismo (farm stay) where two cottage apartments open onto gardens and the pool is right on the edge of corn and sunflower fields. You may wake up to find that local produce from the surrounding farms has miraculously appeared on your doorstep. The farmer across the way takes pride in showing guests around his small winery and offering tastings of his potent white wine.