223 Best Hotels in Italy

The second floor of this handsome 1930s palazzo in the modern Madonnella district near the lungomare houses spacious contemporary apartments with vibrant color-blocks, well-equipped kitchens, living spaces, comfortable bedrooms, and small balconies. The well-worn wooden front door may seem unimpressive but once inside a grand marble staircase leads to the accommodation which is managed by the charming, ever-helpful host Leonardo. 

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.

Behind iron gates in one of the busiest parts of the city is this renowned Gothic-style villa with gardens and charmingly decorated accommodations with Venetian-style antique reproductions and fine tapestry. It all began in 1783, not as a hotel, but as the Russian embassy, and returned as the Russian consulate between the two world wars. When the Salmaso family turned it into a modest hotel in 1951, Russians continued to gravitate here—Josef Brodsky (winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1987) was a frequent guest—not to mention European film stars and even royalty. Common areas and guest rooms overlook either the picturesque Rio San Trovaso or the lush gardens. Inlaid designs or mosaics decorate marble- or ceramic-tiled baths.

In a calm location within easy walking distance of Modena's main tourist attractions, this hotel housed in an old palazzo has plenty of old-world character in the form of antique paintings, fancy plasterwork, and trompe l’oeil in the public rooms. Rooms are clean and come in varying sizes, and there is a terrace with tables and chairs and spacious gardens to relax in. The elegant restaurant La Secchia Rapita provides traditional local dishes and attentive service, while wide-ranging buffet breakfasts are served in the vaulted cellar.

Located beside the bus and parking space, and a short walk to Piazza Libertà, Primo is a sleek modern hotel, with great staff, whitewashed spaces and comfortable rooms with some interesting lighting and design throughout. Buffet breakfast is pretty decent with plenty of choices and is taken in the light-filled restaurant area.  

This updated historic palazzo maintains elements of its early 1900s grandeur: parquet floors, 13-foot ceilings, and porcelain stoneware tiles. Almost every room has its own balcony, and the hotel is full of art by Giancarlo Mustich. It's a very clean and enchanting little place to lay your head. The owner, Massimo Costantino, has relationships with everyone in the neighborhood and can arrange to have lunch or dinner brought into the hotel if you're a bit road weary and simply don't want to go out. 

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.

This 19th-century villa with a restaurant and 12 rooms sits on a hill above Licata, lending a lovely sea view. There are extensive views from the lounge, evocatively decorated with vintage wedding photos, a wind-up gramophone and antique piano, and long terraces perfect for evening cocktails. The grounds include a small pool, and the rooms are simple but tasteful. There is also a well-regarded restaurant, La Bottega. 

Although detached from the town's hubbub, this hotel is actually in a central location on Trapani's northern waterfront, with wonderful coastal views. The "studio" rooms are sleek and spacious and come with kitchenettes, and there's a garden, gym, and reading room. Best of all, generous breakfasts are served on a terrific roof terrace with panoramic views over town and the coast. It lies at one end of Via Torrearsa, so perfectly sited to participate in Trapani's boisterous evening passeggiata. There is secure parking, albeit 2 km (1 mile) away, linked to the residence by a free shuttle bus, or you can find your own parking space closer.

In a prime position overlooking the port, this residence is the best option for spending a few days on Ustica. Each of the one- or two-room apartments comes with kitchenettes, and front-facing rooms have large windows for soaking up the harbor views. But the best features are the two large terraces with sunloungers arranged around a small pool and the irresistible vistas out to sea. Breakfast is also served on the panoramic terrace. The residence is just a few minutes' walking distance from Ustica's main square, and there's a shuttle bus to a private lido at the island's western tip. Guests must book a minimum of two nights.

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.

Magnificent valley views are paired with 19th-century charm at this property filled with paintings, antique furnishings, and period knickknacks. Don't be put off by the lack of modern comforts, the rather dark entrance, or the long flight of stairs—this is an intriguing and delightful place to stay.

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.

Just steps away from the beach, this small, family-run lodging has a warm, friendly character, with public areas and guest rooms enlivened by colorful, Middle Eastern--style ceramic tiles. The side-street location means it's not subject to the bustle that can overwhelm the seafront, yet the town center is still close. Rooms are spacious and well-equipped (air-conditioning and fridges are welcome comforts), and breakfasts include homemade jams and pastries from San Vito's best pasticceria. Guests have access to a private beach, but spaces there are limited, so it's worth reserving when you make your booking. The hotel's location in the traffic-restricted part of town means that drivers can only stop for unloading, then park in the nearby facility (valet parking is available). Like most of San Vito's lodgings, there are minimum-night stays.

With a sleek minimalist design in a 17th-century palace and a convenient location in an increasingly trendy area not far from the train and bus stations, this boutique hotel caters to design aficionados on a budget. Rooms are cool, modern, and spacious—some have frescoed ceilings. The city's sights are within an easy walking distance—but the hotel's secure setting near an area populated by migrants and close to the red-light district may be off-putting to some.

A 19th-century palazzo opposite a public garden in central Trapani has been converted to a comfortable hotel that provides pampering accommodation in swish surroundings. The imposing arched entrance opens onto a peaceful courtyard where breakfast and other meals are served, while, inside the building, antiques, chandeliers, and decorated ceilings emphasize its historic character. Guest rooms vary in size, and are either modern or antique—or a tasteful blend of both—and there's a small rooftop pool, best for a cooling dip or just soaking up the sun. The location is convenient: in the new town but within an easy walk of the old quarter, close to the train station, and steps away from Via Garibaldi, one of Trapani's main passeggiata routes. There's no hotel parking, but a capacious and inexpensive public car park is adjacent.

Like most hotels in Cosenza, the Royal caters mainly to a business clientele, yet it's nevertheless a good choice for a stopover: what it lacks in local flavor, it makes up for with excellent central location, functional yet dated rooms, and reasonable room rates.

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.

Off the beaten path, this clean and comfortable hotel has been welcoming guests for more than 50 years. Though the exterior looks like nothing more than your average Roman apartment building, once inside you'll find that rooms are relatively spacious (if basic). The area itself offers plenty of parking, and the advantage of being so close to Testaccio is the abundance of great lounges, pizzerias, and nightlife.

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.

Since it's a bit off the beaten path, Scicli doesn't have too many hotels, but a good choice to rest your head is Albergo Diffuso, which can best be described as a “dispersed hotel,” where rooms are located in different historic homes throughout the town. The houses are all recently restored and well-equipped; and largely concentrated in a 1,000-foot radius of Via Francesco Mormina Penna.

Across the road from the beach, this contemporary hotel offers sleek, stylish rooms with balconies; there's also a restaurant and fab bar perfect for sunset cocktails.  

The tranquillity and flavors of Lake Iseo permeate through this relaxed retreat in the tiny village Sensole on car-free Monte Isola—nine simple rooms in a 19th-century palazzo have black and white contemporary decor and the best have sweeping lake views; or soak up the panorama from the top-floor terrace. The high-energy and hospitable team running the show, with Giovanni Lo Presti in the house and Giulio Pittioni helming the kitchen, met while working at Michelin-starred restaurants in the Veneto. Their culinary acumen includes house-made sourdough bread and pastries for breakfast alongside local jams, tasting menus with organic vegetables, and lake-caught fish in the restaurant, and an extensive cantina of regional and natural wines. Take a stroll along the placid waterfront and then unwind on a private beach among an olive grove (which also supplies Sensole's kitchen with olive oil), while lounging on oversized turquoise bean bags as you watch the sun set on the lake.

Although just a short walk from the Porta Messina on Corso Umberto, this modern and upbeat hotel is far enough away from the hubbub of the town to guarantee a peaceful night's sleep. The balconies of the airy and spacious guest rooms, the panoramic terrace where breakfast is taken, and the rooftop pool all pander to the view. Tuck into your breakfast pastries, sip your poolside cocktail, and soak it all up. And the staff couldn't be more pleasant. 

On the edge of Camigliatello, less than 1 km (½ mile) from the ski slopes, this hotel is in a peaceful, picturesque location. Don't be put off by its '70s-era look—the lodge is well equipped with plenty of space for evening entertainment, including live music, and relaxation after a day of hiking or skiing. There is a sun terrace shaded by a walnut tree, and all rooms have balconies. Keep an eye out for good full-board deals in summer.

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.

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.

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. 

The former home of James Joyce is a real gem of a hotel—with stylish, unfussy traditional decor and a just-out-of-town location that's convenient for both local sightseeing and trips into the Karst mountains. Beyond the grand lobby, there's a handsome wood-filled breakfast area and a lovely little library and lounge with funky armchairs. The latter is perfect for relaxing with Ulysses or one of the weighty design tomes. Many of the spacious rooms have gorgeous parquet flooring, elegant furnishings, and tasteful artwork.