585 Best Hotels in Italy

In the heart of Trastevere but tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the medieval quarter, this basic, affordable hotel in a former monastery is centered on a lovely green courtyard and still has a chapel off the corridor. The monastery was built in the 15th century to honor St. Francesca Romana, and guest rooms are accordingly unadorned, with cheerful pastel yellow and cream-colored walls and simple tiled floors. For the money and location, this is an excellent option.

A refreshing minimalist influence, attention to detail, and creative touches (like the room number projected onto the hall floor) create a welcoming ambience with contemporary flair. Natural fabrics add to the relaxed feel; common areas include a reading room, gym, and an indoor garden.

The modern and the ancient contrast beautifully in the contemporary interiors of this renovated palace, only about a 10-minute walk from lively Piazza Walther, but in a quiet neighborhood that seems a world away. Modern, neutral-color guest rooms feature high ceilings, comfy beds, and sitting areas; good-size bathrooms have double sinks and large showers. For a more historical feel, the 936-square-foot Stube Suite has frescoed ceilings in the bedroom and park views. The Cantina Hörtenberg restaurant tucked down a flight of stairs, inside an atmospheric former dungeon, offers a fusion of South Tyrol and Mediterranean dishes. Save time for a swim in the heated outdoor pool, as well as a stop in the spa, with two saunas and a steam room; there’s also a well-equipped gym accessible 24 hours a day.

Housed in a palace dating from 1272, with interiors updated by of-the-moment architect Patricia Urquiola, this deluxe hotel offers rooms with views of San Giorgio Maggiore island, two restaurants, and two internal courtyards, all within striking distance of the Venice Biennale grounds. The outdoor restaurant boasts lagoon vistas, and meals include vegetables grown in the attached garden. The reading room and private courtyards are ideal places to take a break after a hard day of sightseeing.

These ultramodern surroundings abandon all things traditionally Venetian, opting instead to create the air of a stylish residence with impeccable, minimalist decor and a contemporary, warmly romantic, and occasionally even dramatic atmosphere. Some rooms overlook small canals and side calli; apartment options with kitchenettes are available. The location is convenient to the Guggenheim, Accademia, and the Zattere. Art borrowed from neighboring museums is on display in common areas.

This 18th-century palazzo has a great location, and its apartments, all on the first floor, have plenty of atmosphere. It was originally owned by the Marchese Nicola Le Caldano Sasso III, whose portrait hangs above the lobby's fireplace, and is still run by his descendants. Antiques from when the palace was new add a personal touch to the elegant guest rooms, some of which have whirlpool baths. One section was once a brothel; rooms there are named for the ladies who then occupied them.

This refined, amenities-filled hotel has a distinctly Germanic vibe and lots of mountain atmosphere—from its outdoor hot tub and sauna to its simple guest rooms, with light-wood paneling, white accents, and balconies, to its underground fondue room–wine cellar (24,000 bottles with a focus on biodynamic producers). The hotel houses three restaurants plus a delightful "cheese room" and "chocolate room." Other facilities include a ski room, a kids' play area, a spa with an indoor pool, sauna, and Turkish bath, and a gym.

In a cliff-top garden overlooking the Bay of Naples, the Cocumella occupies a Baroque monastery, complete with frescoed ceilings, antique reliquaries, and a marble cloister; the lobby and grand suites (with stone fireplaces, Empire-style bureaus, and marble-clad bathrooms) have Italian-Victorian grace, although some of the smaller rooms and bathrooms are due for a revamp (check before booking). Added amenities include a vast pool, a beauty spa and exercise room, a 90-foot-long 19th-century yacht for daily excursions on the bay, and even summer-night chamber-music recitals in the monastery's former church. Although its luster has faded a bit, many cognoscenti adore this hotel, once one of the most aristocratic in Italy.

Cleverly converted from the former Convento dei Crociferi in 2012, Combo marries minimalist design with atmospheric cloisters and a gorgeous breakfast room--arts venue where a hearty buffet is served. There are a number of room options suited for singles, couples, and families on a budget; all have plain whitewashed walls, large beds, fridges, contemporary desks, and utilitarian bathrooms, some have quirky mezzanines, canal views, and kitchenettes. It's a good bet for those seeking unfussy decor and a hip, studenty Cannaregio bolthole with cultural events, a cafè, and restaurant.

Handily moored near the marina and the castello, this hotel has a nautical theme with wrought-iron gates in the shape of waves, a statue of the sea god Neptune at the entrance, the owner's maritime antiques throughout, and guest rooms accented by shades of blue.

Worry and stress seem to melt away upon arriving at this beach hideaway, where modern guest rooms with stone floors, big windows, and rural Sardinian touches are surrounded by peaceful gardens planted with pines and palms. In addition to the sandy beach, a stay here gets you access to a tennis court and three pools, including an infinity pool overlooking the sea and a separate children's pool. There's a poolside bistro, and a patio where you can enjoy romantic candlelit dinners. Minibus service is available for trips to nearby Chia, Pula, and Nora; the golf course at Is Molas is also close at hand.

An oasis of what Italians call stile liberty (Art Nouveau style), with impressive stained-glass fittings and striking artwork, this serene, elegant hotel is well placed for touring the Centro Storico and visiting the Museo Archeologico Nazionale. Each room is individually decorated—in the warmer months ask for one with a balcony and enjoy your breakfast alfresco, or opt for a garden room that opens onto the small swimming pool.

In an old convent on Via Giulia, one of Rome's romantic ivy-covered streets, the D.O.M (Deo Optimo Maximo) is an ultrachic luxury hotel that resembles an aristocratic casa nobile. The interior design is cool and eclectic, with wood beam ceilings that date from the1600s, original Andy Warhol silkscreens, exposed brick walls, and scripture-inscribed marble slabs from the 15th century. The rooms, in warm neutral browns and grays, overlook the street. For real pampering, book the D.O.M Suite, which has a large terrace with views over typical Roman rooftops and bell towers. The real gem here, though, is the opulent but cozy bar and restaurant, VERVE, run by chef Adriano Magnoli and pastry chef Antonella Mascolo, where you can sit next to the fireplace during the winter or the stunning rooftop in the summer and enjoy some of the city's best cocktails.

In what was the 19th-century residence of Cardinal Sisto Riario Sforza, this charming hotel has pleasant, spacious rooms, some with frescoed wooden roof beams. Each of the two floors has a large welcoming communal area, but the showstopper is the breakfast room, covered from floor to ceiling with mirrors and gold decorations.

This centrally located, family-run hotel close to Sorrento's major hub, Piazza Tasso has pleasant common areas, the occasional antique, fresh flowers, a solarium, a breakfast terrace, and basic rooms—some of which have courtyard entrances. Reception is on the second floor (an elevator is provided from the street). For a quieter stay, opt for a room that doesn't overlook the busy Corso Italia.

With modern interiors and eclectic but comfortable designer furniture, this aptly named hotel makes a nice counterpoint to the historical surroundings of Cremona. Though it's a fine base for leisure travelers, conference rooms and other amenities make it popular with a business clientele.

This hotel near the glorious Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica is also close to Termini station, and has modern comforts and a great concierge—all at moderate rates. Stylish guest rooms have contemporary furnishings, bright red bedspreads and drapes, and soft lighting. The hotel's location is ideal if you want to be close to Termini without staying in a gritty part of town; there are also plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.

Most of the modern, inviting guest rooms at this comfortable hotel—owned by an Anglo-Italian family and right in the center of Bellagio's action—have lake and mountain views, and the rooftop terrace garden is a perfect spot for drinks or dozing. There's a relaxed and congenial feel throughout, and the extensive buffet breakfast (included) wins rave reviews.

The public areas and guest rooms at one of the oldest (1883) hotels in the city, just off Piazza dei Signori, are filled with turn-of-the-20th-century antiques, and regulars favor the place because the high ceilings in the main building make it feel light and airy. It's also a bargain—rates stay the same throughout the year, with no high-season price hikes. 

At this intimate hotel, comfortable and soothingly designed guest rooms—some with canopy beds, pastel walls, and ultramodern bathrooms—are spread across two small 19th-century town houses on a quiet backstreet. The hallways can seem like a labyrinth, but every corner of the hotel is graced with a high level of service. There's also a lovely garden, with a hydromassage Jacuzzi, where breakfast is offered in warm-weather months.

Some of the comfortable (if generic) rooms at this Bergamo Bassa hotel a short walk from the funicular have balconies with amazing upper town views. In good weather you can breakfast on the rooftop terrace. Unlike some other places in town, parking is available right in front of the hotel for a fee.

Perfectly located near the posh Via dei Mille shopping street, the buzzing Chiaia nightlife, and the contemporary art gallery at Palazzo Roccella, this hotel has a welcoming lobby area and restful guest rooms with cool colors and sleek windows. Only the junior suites on the 10th floor have sea views, however.

This family-friendly ultramodern hotel near the Plan de Corones chairlift, made up of four sleek connected houses designed by Italian architect Matteo Thun, offers spacious rooms and an expansive spa. Guest rooms have a contemporary mountain feel, with wood walls and floors; each includes a balcony or terrace. Some of the suites include private saunas or infrared cabins. The inviting spa extends over three floors and includes saunas, a hammam, heated outdoor and rooftop pools, and a 24-hour gym. If you can tear yourself away, the hotel’s “experience concierge” is happy to recommend off-the-beaten-path activities nearby.

In the foothills between Florence and Fiesole are these lovely apartments, which sleep 4 to 11 people, and rooms, which vary in size, have private bathrooms, and sleep up to two adults and two children. Many accommodations are in a former convent, and some are scattered around the farm; all have wooden floors, simple and sturdy furniture, and apartments have modern kitchens; most also have splendid views onto olive groves (olive oil is produced by the fattoria owners). 

At this elegant hotel, swank reception rooms have comfortable couches and contemporary artwork, and guest rooms feature parquet floors, high ceilings, and furnishings that combine Scandinavian sleekness with the Italian love for fine fabric (think: damask draperies).

Set in a 19th-century neoclassical palace, this cozy boutique hotel was remodeled to feature high-tech, elegant guest rooms while keeping the core structure, including unique windows and tall ceilings, intact. Spacious rooms feature plush blue velvet furniture, oak desks and bookcases, elegant marble bathrooms, and free Illy coffee. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Acquolina, serves innovative seafood dishes. The Acquaroof offers drinks and Mediterranean and Roman cuisine on the romantic top-floor terrace, with incredible 360-degree city views.

In the valley below the temples, fiery sunsets and moonlight cast a glow over the ancient 12th-century watchtower at the center of this farmhouse-hotel complex, which is composed of stone buildings surrounding a peaceful geranium- and ivy-filled courtyard and the garden beyond. Standard rooms, some with temple views, are simple but charming, with antique furniture and modern bathrooms. The restaurant, Accademia del Buon Gusto, serves tasty foodie fare in a beautiful setting overlooking the temples. The hotel is on an unmarked dirt road about 3 km (2 miles) southeast of the old town.

This 15th-century palazzo is perhaps the city's most luxurious hotel, where many guest rooms have original 17th-century frescoes, and an 11-acre garden is dotted with centuries-old trees. There's also a pool, a state-of-the-art spa, and 16th-century courtyard that sweeps along to an elegant bar where Florentines enjoy aperitivi.

Built in the 15th century as a convent, with a colonnaded cloister, this sophisticated retreat certainly exudes a feeling that is anything but urban. Although this hotel is the perfect location for serious shoppers, it's on a quieter side street slightly apart from the fray. Parts of the original frescoes can still be seen in the lobby and lounge, and some rooms have balconies looking onto a glassed-in courtyard. The sophisticated spa area boasts a lap pool beneath 19-century vaulted ceilings along with modern treatment rooms and a well-equipped fitness center.