284 Best Hotels in Italy

Unpretentious Alpine chic meets contemporary decor, with warm pine, ceramics, rich textiles, and wood-beamed ceilings—and all but one of the guest rooms have balconies. La Genzianella is also a bike-friendly hotel: there's safe storage, a sportswear laundry, mountain-bike rental, maps, and even an instructor. The lovely spa includes a sauna, steam bath, and treatment rooms. Lifts to the Alta Valtellina are 50 yards from the entrance, and there are lockers for ski equipment.

The tastefully decorated and bright guest rooms at this small inn with a pool on the Punto Mesco headland have unobstructed vistas of the Mediterranean Sea and Riviera coastline. Lovely gardens and terraces surround the stone building, and the nice sunning area provides a perfect spot for an easygoing day.

Inspired by the beach resorts of the Greek isles, La Guardia is a minimalist retreat with sweeping sea views and plenty of wicker lamps, seagrass accents, and wooden furniture. Aperitivi on the terrace are a large part of this hotel's appeal, as is the Mediterranean menu conceived by chef Milena Andretto and prepared using only island-sourced ingredients.

Housed in a remodeled palazzo built at the end of the 19th century for the count after which it is named, this small and select hotel occupies a quiet location on a traffic-free backstreet just a few steps from Corso Umberto. There are exposed granite walls and quirky period touches everywhere, although facilities are modern, including spacious rain showers in the marble bathrooms. Suites and the extra-large suites boast their own veranda or balcony, spa bath, or sauna, Fresh and varied breakfasts are taken in the basement, from which you can access a lower level where massage treatments are available—just steps away from the remains of an ancient Roman aqueduct! There is no restaurant, but guests are directed to the chic and much-lauded Essenza Bistrot, right opposite.

A cut above other lodging options in the Cinque Terre, these small, white-walled guest rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, marble showers, and comfortable bedding and have views of the sea or the port, which can also be enjoyed at their most bewitching from a shared terrace literally suspended over the Mediterranean. Call ahead to be met on arrival in the village for help with finding the place and carrying luggage—and make sure to reserve far ahead, as the four rooms book up quickly. There's a two-night minimum stay. 

Above the sea about a mile from Forio town—between the Bay of San Francesco and the crystal-clear waters of Chiaia—Hotel La Scogliera has simply furnished rooms done up in Mediterranean hues and bright tile flooring. Its family run atmosphere and hospitality make guests feel at right at home, if your home is on a beach. In the summer they build a platform by the sea, ideal for sun worshippers.

The closest hotel to Vivara, this inviting hotel in a former warehouse maintains the characteristics of its marine history while flaunting modern decor. Guest rooms are bright and airy, and all but two (on the ground floor) have a view of the beach. The hotel has a small but immaculate garden, and the marina, beach, and Vivara island are just steps away.

Up a tiny side street above the Certosa, this simple, quiet hotel offers unassuming vibes, terrace views, and reasonable rates. As a bonus, the ebullient owner Ettore, who spends the winter in Connecticut, is generous with island advice and restaurant recommendations. 

If eclectic Venetian charm is what you seek, this luminous residence near the Rialto has it: each of the individually decorated guest rooms has its own theater-theme wall painting by a local artist. The furnishings might be traditional, but the amenities are all contemporary, with signature linens, free Wi-Fi throughout, a kettle in every room, and a complimentary kimono in every bathroom. Every bed is king-size. Larger rooms have Venetian parquet flooring; the two upstairs "garret" rooms feature electronically controlled skylights.

Just around the corner from Piazza della Repubblica, this extremely Instagrammable hotel has a lobby lounge with surrealist design elements, like lip-shaped sofas, and an interior courtyard done up in millennial pink. Guest rooms are a bit more subdued, with pastel fabrics, terrazzo floors, and Carrara marble bathrooms. After you've settled into your room, shimmy down to the bar, which is decked out in gold and mirrors with cloud-shaped hanging lamps.

In an evergreen forest at Perrères, just outside Cervinia, this family-run inn is quiet and cozy, with three big fireplaces and a nice view of the Matterhorn. An excellent restaurant serves local specialties.

Named for the black sands of the beach it sits on, this luxury hotel is superbly sited on the beautiful Porto di Ponente, and its cool modern furnishings and inviting pool and spa induce a sybaritic mood. The white-walled guest rooms near the pool are tasteful and spacious, and larger apartment-style rooms with terraces are also available, some with sea views. Though there is no on-site restaurant, the lounge bar serves bountiful breakfasts and light lunches.

Neatly decorated and light-filled rooms between St. Marks Square and the Rialto Bridge offer guests something rare in Venice—a central yet quiet base from which to explore the city. Five of the seven rooms have their own en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning, two have a shared bathroom and ceiling fan, and a few have canal views. A simple breakfast is served in a cheery breakfast room that overlooks a canal. The hospitable owner is around during the day to answer questions and offer restaurant suggestions; during the night, you are on your own.

Pastel lacquered furnishings and mock-flock wallpaper pay tribute to 18th-century Venetian style in the six bedrooms of this small pensione on a charming Castello campo; ask for one that overlooks the neighborhood life out front. You'll easily spot the canopied entrance, flanked by two topiaries and umbrella-topped café tables where you can take your breakfast or sip a late afternoon Prosecco in the sunshine.

Founded by Giuseppe Cipriani in the late 1920s, this intimate locanda (inn) on the island of Torcello remains in the Cipriani family and retains the simple, classy character of the period. The lovingly furnished rooms have large beds, plush armchairs, vaulted ceilings, and modern amenities—but absolutely no televisions; instead, each room comes with a well-stocked library. The in-house pastry chef provides a fresh breakfast each morning in either the dining room or in the garden under a pergola of roses; guests can also choose to dine at the locanda's excellent restaurant. Ernest Hemingway stayed in one of the comfortable rooms while writing "Across the River and Through the Trees."

Tucked behind Campo San Stefano in a charming little courtyard, this oasis offers small but peaceful rooms decorated in 18th-century Venetian style. Palazzo Grassi, Museo Fortuny, and the Accademia Museum are just steps away; San Marco and Rialto are both about a 15-minute walk. In the warmer months, breakfast is served alfresco amid the flowering garden overlooking Campiello Novo. Discounts are given for payment in cash.

Opened in 2018, this well-run B&B, in a striking burnished yellow and Pompeiian red stile liberty palazzo, has spacious, high-ceilinged, whitewashed rooms with azure tiles; the two doubles have garden views, and the cavernous three-person room has a mezzanine with an extra bed.

Inside this faithfully restored palazzo dating from the early 1900s, spaciousness is accentuated with soft white interiors, muted fabrics and marble, and contemporary lines. An understated entrance leads into what seems more like a sophisticated, upscale residence than a hotel—which is precisely the feeling the designers were striving for. Massive mirrors don't hang, they lean; baths are almost as spacious as the living areas; a refined hush prevails. Though there's no restaurant or breakfast room, if you wish you can dine in privacy with room service for breakfast (for an extra fee).

Right in front of the Plan de Corones chairlift, this is a great base for a skiing or hiking vacation, with bus service to the ski slopes and a spa and pools on-site to unwind after a big day out. The hotel can help to arrange discounted ski passes with advance notice. In the warmer months, staff can help you find the best hiking in the area; the hotel even has its own guides. The decor is typical of the region, with warm wood and fabrics, and plenty of amenities. Some rates include breakfast and dinner, which are rotated regularly for variety, and discounts are offered for stays longer than four nights.

You can do your sightseeing from the rooftop terrace of the Marcella, a midsize hotel with the feel of a smaller, more intimate establishment, where staff go the extra mile to make your stay pleasant. Many rooms also have good views, and all are decorated in tasteful color schemes, some with floral prints and mirrored walls. The spacious suites are ideal for families. The hotel is 10 minutes from Via Veneto and Termini Station.

Beautifully restored, with high-style interiors, this 19th-century former masseria is an oasis of comfort just a short drive from lovely Otranto. In its long history, the building has also served as a monastery, herbal pharmacy, discotheque, and restaurant. Now it offers whitewashed Mediterranean minimalist chic, with wrought-iron beds, arched ceilings, gorgeous stone-and-marble bathrooms, and flowing white drapes—and the lobby looks like something out of a magazine. Much of the delicious food is plucked from the hotel's own garden, which includes dozens of fruit trees, and lunch can be taken poolside.

Right off Piazza Municipio, in the shadows of Castel Nuovo, this popular hotel is a good choice if you're taking a boat from Molo Beverello. The lobby is sober yet luminous, and the rooms are quiet and tastefully appointed. Breakfast is served on a delightful third-floor terrace with views over the castle.

Atmosphere prevails in this labyrinth of opulent, intimate spaces featuring classic Venetian decor combined with Eastern influences: common areas and guest rooms are filled with an assortment of antiques and curiosities. The best rooms are up on the roof, where there are also two spacious terraces. Suites feature sparkling mosaic sunken baths, Fortuny fabrics, and other notable architectural details.

Opened in 2021, this impressive Neoclassical building near the santuario now houses a well-thought-out hotel that fuses comfortable contemporary design with historic decorative touches. Three chic restaurant hangouts—Circolo, Roof, and RAW—cover social-club pizzeria to rooftop lounge bar to refined gourmet, while the understated but stylish rooms offer ample options for couples and families. 

For great views of Etna, this centrally located hotel overlooking Catania's main shopping street has a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy breakfast or take in the scenery during happy hour over a cocktail and antipasti buffet. Although it has a bit of a chain-hotel feel, the friendly service makes the experience feel more personal—you can even leave your car in front of the hotel, and they'll park it for you. Upgrading to a larger executive room is highly recommended: it includes anything you want from the minibar.

At this atmospheric late-16th-century palazzo, you can experience warm hospitality, a lush private garden, and unusually spacious guest rooms well appointed with antique-style furniture, frescoed or stuccoed ceilings, and silk fabrics. The location is remote enough to escape the San Marco masses while still within striking distance of major sights, and there's a private dock for taxi arrival. In summer, breakfast is served in the gorgeous garden.

Set in a historic, central palazzo, Bezzi is the best bet in town for reliable, friendly customer service, and a comfortable stay amid modern surroundings, a quiet garden, and panoramic rooftop solarium. Guest room and suite decor is mainly muted, whitewashed and minimalist with parquet flooring, while some have accented, striped wallpaper.  

The guest rooms at this 14th-century palace are named for signs of the zodiac, but the astrological reference stops at the painted symbol on the door, as each elegant room is unique—an antique sewing-machine table serves as a nightstand, a medieval-looking chandelier with a forged-iron ring and a globe hangs from a ceiling, elegant striped silk covers a wooden settee. Some rooms have ivory-color drapes hanging from baldachin beds—iron canopy beds with a painted medallion on the headpiece. A lovely garden opens behind the hotel. Five cheaper rooms, named for constellations, are available in an annex.

This carefully restored 19th-century town house has charm and character that set it apart from the other, more business-oriented hotels in Alba. The rooms are decorated individually in a contemporary style, and the location—on a quiet backstreet steps from the city center—can't be beat. A fine buffet breakfast is served in the vaulted basement.

Housed within a 16th-century palace, where renowned Florentine architect Bartolomeo Ammannati carved colossal statuary, the four spacious suites and three apartments with kitchenettes here offer a wonderful atmospheric alternative to regular hotel accommodation. Beyond the handsome courtyard there are cavernous rooms with some period furniture and historic artworks.