284 Best Hotels in Italy

The grand former home of a musician and composer, this 18th-century villa perched on a fragrant hillside above white-sand beaches has since had a wing added, creating a wonderful retreat from the crowds at the water's edge. Lush gardens, beautiful views, and a natural grotto with Jacuzzi and bar are among the amenities, and free parking is available.

Hidden away from the Positano crowds, a short passeggiata away from the hydrofoil port, lovely host Gabriella and her long-serving team run a laid-back but well-run hotel blessed by Spiaggia Fornillo beachside bliss, with 34 tiled suites and practical bathrooms with balconies and facilities galore including restaurant, bar and bathing services. Ground floor standard rooms have traditional tiles and are a little noisier as near the restaurant and path; while first and second floors offer more peace, modern tiled-style with more space and grandstand private terrace views over the sunbeams, waves and coastline.   

Nestled in an old building just a stone's throw from the main civic square (Piazza Signoria), this charming little boutique hotel offers peace and elegance. Many of the rooms have 18th-century frescoes on their ceilings, and all have hydromassage showers (some have a steam room). You can enjoy an aperitivo from the bar, and sip it in a comfortable sitting room.

The quarters might be snug and simply furnished, but many have balconies with gorgeous sea and sky vistas framed by the palm trees of the Villa Rufolo, just below the hotel. D.H. Lawrence worked on Lady Chatterley's Lover during his 1926 visit (in Room 423), so it might be fun to revisit the novel's groundbreaking love scenes while at this hotel run for generations by the Schiavo family. Author Gore Vidal could often be seen strolling along the path beside the hotel—he owned La Rondinaia, the villa at the end of the path, and lodged here after selling to a private investor in 2006.

Set in a molto charming garden atop the Aventine Hill, this refurbished 19th-century villa is a romantic retreat. One of the perks of staying here, apart from the peace and tranquility, is the close proximity to Rome's gems, like the famous keyhole of the Grand Priory of the Knights of Malta where you can catch a tiny glimpse of St. Peter's dome. The decor blends bits of antique Baroque flair (such as period chandeliers) with contemporary touches like the in-room portable handset loaded with data and maps. Each guest room is uniquely designed to follow a particular theme, like the "Room of the Poems," which features verse beautifully scrawled onto the walls.

Set in the shadow of St. Peter's, this small hotel is a good value, with simply decorated, ample guest rooms that feature wood-beam ceilings, parquet floors, and comfy beds. The spacious attic rooms also have tiny terraces. Frescoes in the vaulted breakfast room, as well as the fountain in the courtyard, are romantic touches.

Masterfully designed by local architect Antonio Scala, formerly of New York City, this concept lodging combines the ultramodern with a playful, at times arcane, take on Neapolitan tradition. The main sitting room proves that with the right lighting and furnishings, the color gray can both soothe and fascinate. In line with a wall quote that declares, "This evening I'm a prince, tomorrow a king," breakfast—including home-laid eggs—is served in tiny white bowls fit not just for a king, but a latter-day Chinese emperor. The guest rooms are well lit and full of playful design touches such as a bathtub in the center of the room and a shower head that changes color with the water temperature. Add in silk sheets and cashmere curtains, and the result is a magical, dreamlike lodging experience.

The atmosphere here is welcoming, hospitable, and enthusiastic, and the staff goes out of their way to ensure a fine stay; rooms in the back look out onto the lush grounds or the countryside in the distance. When it's warm, breakfast is served in the flower-filled garden with a view, providing a gorgeous start to the day.

A Trastevere treasure with a pedigree going back four centuries, this ivy-covered, mansard-roofed, rosy-brick-red, erstwhile Renaissance-era convent—just steps away from the glorious Santa Maria in Trastevere church and a few blocks from the Tiber—has sweet and simple guest rooms: a mix of brick walls, "cotto" tile floors, oak furniture, and matching bedspreads and curtains. Surrounded by towering tenements, the complex is centered on a monastic portico courtyard, lined with orange trees—a lovely place for breakfast.

Sun-filled and immaculately landscaped terraces and gardens, perfumed by citrus trees and honeysuckle, anchor this luxury property in Malfa. Here, the rooms are light and airy, and many have private balconies and sea views. The comprehensive spa's treatments incorporate the botanicals of the island (prickly pears, capers, Malvasia wine, bitter orange). The hotel's excellent restaurant (open for lunch and dinner), helmed by chef Martina Caruso, tells the story of the island's flavors with loving refinement.

Rooms in this 15th-century palazzo, entered via a courtyard with potted plants and sculpture-filled niches, are simply furnished; some have Arno views, others have stuccoed ceilings. Breakfast is served in a room that preserves an Empire feel (including two chandeliers from the early 19th century). When it's warm, a large, sunny terrace is the perfect place to read.

A homey feel with comfortable beds and upholstered furnishings with matching drapery, along with access to a luxurious thermal spa included in the rates, keeps many guests returning year after year. The location is perfect: just inside the city walls, near the Castello, set amid lakeside gardens and terraces.

That this chic city-center inn is owned by an architect's family comes through in details like the custom-designed furniture and paintings by young Milanese artists in the stylish guest rooms. For all its artistic accents, this is still a comfortable, homey base in Milan, with an inviting frescoed breakfast room and many rooms with private terraces. Personal touches—such as wine and snacks in the lobby, eggs cooked to order at breakfast, and free nonalcoholic drinks in the minibars—abound.

Two minutes from the Duomo, this good-value, relaxing, little place with a garden, antiques, and a history that includes stays by some illustrious artistic guests (e.g., the composer Edvard Grieg and the artist M.C. Escher) has been family-run for three generations. Grieg wrote in the guest book that he was "molto contento," and Escher's celebrated prints of spiraling staircases were inspired by those he saw in Ravello and Atrani.

This hotel captures the villagelike charm of the Trastevere district and offers basic, clean, comfortable rooms. The entrance hall features a mural of the famous Piazza di Santa Maria, a few blocks away. Hand-painted art nouveau wall designs, open medieval brickwork, and a few antiques add a touch of grace throughout. Most rooms face Piazza San Cosimato, where there's an outdoor food market every morning except Sunday. 

Just a quick walk from the Spanish Steps, this hotel has captured the hearts of many travelers over the years. Once a convent, this palazzo has seen it all, although now the decor is pure classic hotel decor, with a lot of polished surfaces, mirrors, and fine fabrics. There's also a piano bar, a restaurant with live music, and two panoramic rooftop restaurants, where you can relax after a busy day of sightseeing or retail therapy.

Style, attention to detail, and comfort are hallmarks of this retreat that's furnished like a refined English home. The sitting room has deep-cushioned floral sofas, a library, a collection of bric-a-brac, and windows overlooking an enclosed garden. Fine prints and patterned fabrics abound in the charming, though dated, guest rooms. The well-equipped spa area includes an indoor pool, whirlpool, saunas, and steam room.

On a street filled with beautiful old villas, this Victorian-era former residence has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, beautiful gardens, a spa, and well-appointed rooms at reasonable prices. In the back garden, there is a swimming pool and a small playground, making it a good choice for families. The hotel has one apartment.

This hotel's hillside position gives it one of the best views on the island, looking south over Marina Lunga and the castle, and it seems like nearly every part of the hotel (from rooms to common areas) takes advantage of that vista. It's located about 1½ miles from the nearest swimming beach, but they offer a free shuttle service for guests.   

This resort on the edge of the Parco dell'Etna combines elegantly appointed guest rooms, a stunning pool, a full-service spa and wellness center, and a fine-dining restaurant to create an immersive Etna experience. It's an excellent spot to base your volcanic exploration or just check-in for a few days and never leave the property.

On the edge of the town's historic center, overlooking lovely public gardens and facing the sea, this under-the-radar family-run hotel was renovated in 2023, but still maintains its antique furnishings, paintings, and Persian rugs, as well as its delightful service, good rooftop restaurant, and Etna views from many guest rooms. Access to the hotel's aptly named Paradise Beach Club is free between June and mid-October (though it gets overcrowded quickly) and is reached by shuttle bus.

The spot where Jacqueline Kennedy famously sought refuge from the paparazzi is still a wonderful place to experience a quintessentially Caprese atmosphere, particularly in the public spaces, featuring a blue-on-white bar/breakfast area, 1950s majolica-lined stairs, and antique-y accents. With greater crowds packing Capri, the hotel does suffer a bit from its location—just around the corner from the Piazzetta and right in the thick of crowds, cafés, and discos. That noted, it has grown a little ritzier over the years, and facilities now include a spa open to nonresidents. 

Surrounded by verdant Ischian maquis and a vineyard, this modern-style hotel has comfortable, airy rooms; a solarium with views of Citara Bay and Epomeo Mountain; and spa facilities with thermally heated pools, mud therapies, Finnish sauna, and massages. Rooms have either a terrace or balcony, and the restaurant boasts a wine cellar where you can sample the fruits of the surrounding vineyard. There is also a chapel with daily services.

The 15th-century building has all modern conveniences, but Renaissance charm still shines in the high-ceiling rooms. The Bargiacchi family has run the place for more than 20 years, and their collection of 20th-century art contrasts nicely with classic furnishings. Larger-than-usual single rooms have French-style beds, and are a good choice for those traveling alone. Breakfast can be taken in a small outdoor garden when weather permits.

Of-the-moment Parisian designer Dorothée Meilichzon composed the striped pastel color palette at this hip boutique hotel—the first Experimental Group property in Italy—hidden inside a Renaissance palazzo facing Giudecca Canal. Spacious rooms in soothing colors feature terrazzo floors and minibars filled with local products and ready-made Experimental Cocktail Club cocktails; some have balconies with fabulous canal views, while others overlook the back garden or, sometimes, adjacent buildings. The in-house Ristorante Adriatica serves coastally inspired cuisine, and you’d be remiss to stay here and not sample an inventive drink at the attached Experimental Cocktail Club. Some of Venice’s top art stops—the Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and Punta della Dogana—are just a stroll away.

Interestingly renovated residence hewn out of the tufa rock, with a relaxed lounge/reception backdropped by a large Guerricchio canvas and atmospheric, sculptured breakfast room and cozy niche; a choice of high-dome ceiling, multishape rooms and suites—a mix modern and rustic furniture offset by sleek lighting. The layouts of the rooms vary with the idiosyncrasies of each stone dwelling: some are spacious while others have odd design choices like a minibar and coffee/tea facilities next to a shower and toilet.  

For more than 170 years the same family has run this elegant inn—about an hour's drive from Verbania on the banks of the lake opposite Stresa—where guest rooms are in two late-19th-century villas surrounded by a garden and the chef does the family proud in the exceptional restaurant. Lake trout and perch find their way onto the menu, as do artichoke dishes in spring and eggplant in summer.

Many notables (including Victorian-era art critic John Ruskin) have stayed at this hotel, though they might not recognize it after its series of upscale renovations; it has an enviable location along the sunny Zattere, as well as comfy rooms and apartments with parquet floors, original 19th-century furniture, and firm beds. You can reserve the rooftop altana (wooden terrace) for sunbathing or a private retreat, or enjoy an afternoon tea in one of the lounge's quiet corners with flickering candlelight.