135 Best Hotels in Italy

In addition to guest rooms with four-poster beds and sweeping drapes, this 19th-century palazzo has a charming, flower-filled terrace where you can sip a glass of wine while taking in a view of Brunelleschi's cupola. Complimentary coffee, tea, and fruit are on hand all day in the comfortable sitting room; there's also an honor bar with both wine and spirits. Single rooms are large by Italian standards—a boon if you're traveling alone.

This simple and utterly charming inn is a stone's throw away from the main train station (Piazza Principe), and is handily located near most sights. Rooms are large, beds are comfortable and many look out onto a very quiet courtyard, and there's an ample buffet breakfast. There's no on-site parking, but guests receive a discount at a local garage.

This centuries-old villa has old-fashioned guest rooms that are lovingly decorated with antique quilts and handmade wooden furnishings yet are also equipped with modern appliances. The owners are authorities on the surrounding area and happily draw maps and suggest wine-tasting and touring routes. Follow signs for San Marcellino Monti to get here.

This lovely little guesthouse on the seafront promenade of Noli is stylishly done with wood floors, uncluttered white walls with splashes of bright colors, and modern decor. A bountiful breakfast is served in a cheerful dining and sitting room, and a nice beach club owned by the same family is just across the road. There's a two- or three-night minimum stay outside the winter months, and children are not accommodated.

Beautifully restored trulli complex set within wild-flower meadows, wheat fields, and woods, wonderfully warm host Marilù's agriturismo offers instant relaxation, simple yet cozy, rustic domed-ceiling rooms and a flowery courtyard and kitchen for all to use at any time. Here you'll find simple rural Pugliese life and pleasures, exploring the fields and country lanes on foot or bicycle, and perhaps popping by the local farm for fresh cheese and eggs.

Ron and Susi Gaud have transformed an 18th-century town house into a cozy little B&B nestled in the heart of Barga. Most rooms, simply yet elegantly furnished, have tremendous views of the dramatic mountainscape a stone's throw away. A welcome drink and a chat with Ron and Susi (whose love for their adopted town is infectious) is the perfect way to start a stay. A flower- and vegetable-filled garden provides a wonderful place to sunbathe or enjoy a glass of wine; there's an outdoor table covered by vines that offers a terrific spot for a light snack. Breakfast, served in the cantina, features Susi's homemade pastries. This is a great base to enjoy the delights of Barga as well as hiking in its environs: Ron and Susi, ardent hikers, are quite knowledgeable about paths in the area.

Set on the fringe of the Kasbah and built within the Norman fortifications, this quirky, unconventional little hotel is ideal for anyone who wants to inhabit a piece of Mazara’s multilayer history. It still retains a secret passage leading straight to the port (though sadly this is closed for safety reasons) along with a medieval chapel, and it's been built around an Arabic-style garden courtyard with whitewashed walls, ceramic tiles, and a well. Part of the house is Renaissance, part of it Art Nouveau, with rooms decorated throughout in the style of a shabby chic Sicilian stately home. Breakfast is served in the courtyard in good weather and in the Renaissance dining room in bad. This will appeal to adventurous travelers who value authenticity and quirkiness over faultless functionality, power showers, and super-fast Wi-Fi.

You don't have to venture far out of Nuoro to appreciate its magnificent mountainous setting, and mountain views don't get much grander than from this excellent lodging immersed in the oak forests of Monte Ortobene. Despite its simple rural character, you'll find all the comforts you could wish for, with bright, spacious guest rooms and modern en suite bathrooms. Two of the rooms have access to a broad terrace with far-reaching views across the valley—perfect for relaxing with a book or for a spot of yoga. The delicious breakfasts include homemade pastries and yogurt, and the hospitable Sard-French hosts are full of advice for explorations farther afield.

Consisting of a former convent (dating from the 1300s) and a Romanesque church, this rustic yet elegant lodging has rooms with canopy beds, chiseled-stone fireplaces, and massage-jet tubs (in suites). Windows look out on the hills, woods, and vineyards. Dine by candlelight in the courtyard on sophisticated classics—carrè di agnello in crosta di noce (walnut-coated rack of lamb), for example—at the first-class restaurant.

The owners of De Gregorio Winery have opened a quaint inn above their city restaurant, Le Stranizze, offering large rooms, fast Wi-Fi, and a central location that is perfect for a small family or any traveler looking for a comfortable, convenient place to rest after a day of exploring. The rooms sit on the top floors of a row house tucked into one of the pedestrian shopping streets, offering some nice views of Sciacca. Although the inn does not offer in-house breakfast, it gives you a breakfast voucher good at several local cafés, which allows you to experience something different without the extra cost. 

Contemporary minimalism, a soothing color palate, and cool design, including travertine-lined spa-like bathrooms and mood lighting, make this central boutique B&B a reliably serene and clean choice. As well as a basic but comfy double with balcony, there are two more spacious king rooms with spa bathrooms, a suite with a swanky terrace, and a studio with kitchenette. 

A working farm producing almonds, olives, and wine (all of which feature in abundance at evening meals), Feudo Muxarello offers huge vistas toward the Sicani mountains and a to-die-for night sky. Rooms are of the very highest standard, both in the main farmhouse and in the adjoining outhouses. There is an ample swimming pool and the owners have gone out of their way to document footpaths and excursions from the farmstead. The evening meal comes via a single menu, affordably priced and served in one sitting, eating together with the owner and staff.

This friendly, intimate hotel in the center of town combines history with modernity in its spacious, minimalist suites—some with original ceiling frescoes—inside a house dating from 1450. Guest rooms, all suites, are done up in muted colors and use reclaimed wood in the furnishings. Many visitors come just for the top-notch restaurant, where owner Florian Fink is the chef. Perhaps the most unique feature is the spa inspired by Roman baths, which includes a sauna, steam bath, and hot and cold Roman baths.

At this small and inviting family-run hotel overlooking Aosta, guest rooms are bright and charmingly decorated; some have balconies and all have splendid views of the city and mountains. A huge brick hearth and rustic wooden beams highlight the lounge, and in summer the great views can be enjoyed from the pool.

Options at this sumptuous lodging include rooms and suites in an 18th-century villa, or, for more seclusion, private suites and villas at the far end of the property. The hotel serves an almost exclusively international clientele. Cooking classes and guided wine tastings are available, a small shop sells estate-produced olive oil and wine, and the restaurant serves sumptuous fare.

With wood-beam ceilings and stone walls, the stylishly restored and updated rooms in this 16th-century house in the historic center of Monterosso ooze comfort and old-world charm. Owners Fausto and Mariapia go out of their way to make you feel at home, and staff can whip up a fantastic breakfast, served in the lovely private garden under the lemon trees (or in your room in bad weather). Do not miss Fausto's limoncello, made from lemons in their garden: you'll find it in the minibar in your room.

Enjoying perhaps the most enchanting setting in all of Naples, this modestly priced hotel tops many a traveler's dream list of places to stay. In one of the buildings of the toy-size Borgo Marinaro harbor, in the shadow of the Castel dell'Ovo medieval fortress, Il Transatlantico has guest rooms fitted out in faux-yacht style, featuring a blue-and-white color scheme and swab-the-decks wooden trim. The vistas—over the harbor and the Lungomare and toward Vesuvius at the end of the bay—are better even than those from far more expensive luxury hotels just across the pier on the mainland.

In this home that is part of a 15th-century palazzo, a cozy feeling permeates the charming rooms, all of which are uniquely decorated and lovingly furnished; some have damask curtains, others fanciful frescoes in the bathroom. With the exquisite service, too, the Pini family has made it clear they want you to treat their house as if it were your own.

There's plenty of architectural character mixed with contemporary, artsy warmth in the guest rooms of this central, 18th-century building, while the nearby annex offers four spacious apartments. Public areas include a small patio enclosed by Roman walls; the cozy breakfast room is a wonderful spot to share in the owner's passion for coffee, tea, and tisane (infusions) from around the world. 

A 14th-century monastery has been converted into this upscale country hotel, where rooms have the style and comfort of an aristocratic villa, with classic prints and bold colors such as daffodil yellow. Common areas are luxurious, with fine woods and leather upholstery. In warm weather, breakfast is served on the patio next to the garden ablaze with flowers.

At an altitude of more than 1,800 feet, this converted farmhouse is probably the loftiest luxury inn in Chianti. Its views are breathtaking, looking down on Volpaia and Radda, with Siena and the hills of southern Tuscany as a backdrop. The infinity pool, set on the hillside, takes full advantage of the magnificent panorama. Guest rooms are simple but tasteful, with high beamed ceilings, painted, as was once the tradition in these parts, in pale pastels. To get here, take the bumpy gravel road 2 km (1 mile) northwest from Volpaia.

In the rural outskirts of Agrigento sits this charming country home that has been converted into a lovely guesthouse. Owners Francesco and Susi remodeled this early 20th-century home into a modern cottage with a state-of-the-art kitchen, where they make a delicious breakfast buffet featuring the delicacies of the region, including fresh bread made with locally sourced semolina flour, handmade pistachio paste, and platters with cheeses and cured meats from neighboring vendors. The guesthouse only has two rooms, both with a view of the Valley of the Temples; there's a full kitchen where Francesco often hosts cooking lessons, or guests can request a dinner made by the owners. 

Although just steps from the bustling Cattedrale area, this small, beautifully restored B&B is enveloped in complete calm. The lodging is named for its five lush roof terraces, all with sublime views, where breakfast is served in fine weather. When you're not on the roof taking in the vistas and admiring the owner's green thumb, you can pore over the collection of books about Sicily in the sitting area (including one by the owner). Guest rooms, furnished in period style, are a major draw, and discounts are offered for stays of four nights or more.

In the early 18th century this lodging began life as a convent (later suppressed by Napoléon), but now it's a delightful city-center bed-and-breakfast, popular with performers at the city's Teatro Comunale. Filippo Orlandini is the resident proprietor—very hands-on and eager to make your stay as wonderful as possible. The living room, temporarily transformed with linen tablecloths, doubles as the breakfast room. Guest rooms have comfortable beds and flowers in the window boxes. When it's warmer, you can sit outside on a small terrace with a pergola. One self-catering apartment is also available.

It would be hard to imagine a more commanding position for these simply but tastefully decorated accommodations and the Michelin-starred restaurant above Alba. Ten minutes outside town, the inn sits on the top of a langa (one of the hills that form the Langhe region) surrounded by vineyards. Old prints, wooden furniture, and country-style patterned fabrics enliven the rooms, but the place to unwind is the upstairs lounge, with panoramic windows and a fireplace.

In a typical Ligurian terratetto on the old port, this charming locanda, or inn, is reminiscent of old-world voyages but with the amenities to make it a comfortable and relaxing stop for today's traveler. Rooms are decorated in warm tones and outfitted with modern bathrooms, and all offer views on to the harbor or the sea. Breakfast is taken in your room or in the quayside bar.

This old farmhouse has been transformed into a marvelous hotel in the midst of vineyards. The three common rooms are cozy but elegant, filled with well-stuffed upholstered couches and chairs; the breakfast room looks out on a sweeping panorama of hills, and a well-stocked honor bar is available for the use of guests. The chirping of birds is about the only noise you'll hear on the grounds awash in flowers. Timbered ceilings hang above beds covered with floral comforters.

Accessed from a quiet courtyard situated between Palermo's two great theaters, with large, airy rooms and a charming host, this top-floor apartment is part of a beautifully renovated palazzo dating from the mid-19th century. Everything is clean and tidy, and the high-ceilinged, tangerine-hued guest rooms, accommodating up to five guests, are well-equipped with spacious bathrooms and mini-refrigerators. Generous buffet breakfasts of pastries, cannoli, ham, cheeses, and fresh orange juice are served in a conservatory area. There's an elevator, too.

In this lovely 15th-century palace, spacious rooms have high ceilings, tile floors, and 18th-century furnishings, and many have views of the valley below. Bathrooms throughout are tiled in local stone. Common areas are elegant, with deep, plush couches that invite you to recline. There's an ample breakfast buffet and you can arrange for a light lunch in the warmer months. The multilingual staff goes out of its way to be helpful.

Proprietor Antonio di Resta shows his impeccable sense of style and love of all things French in a lovely little bed-and-breakfast just a few steps from the Duomo. Both mansarded rooms have been eclectically and painstakingly decorated with treasures found in markets both in Italy and Provence (among other places). Floors are hardwood, and the sheets on the amazingly comfortable beds are linen. The small sitting room provides a perfect place to unwind, and the little kitchen up a flight of stairs provides city views. Breakfast is served just down the street at Mon Café, the café and bistro owned by the B&B. If two couples, or a family, are traveling, both rooms can be rented, and the public rooms become yours.