Best hotels in Italy

Nestled among the charming carruggi and pastel-hued houses that make this stretch of the Italian Riviera so iconic, this 19th-century building has been transformed into something rather special. The historic exterior gives little hint of what awaits inside – a bold, contemporary design statement where striking black and white contrasts create spaces that are both dramatic and inviting. You'll find yourself completely immersed in an atmosphere that somehow manages to be both soothing and stimulating, with clean architectural lines softened by warm Italian hospitality. Just steps from crystal-clear waters, it's the perfect launchpad for exploring the treasures of the Tigullio Gulf while providing a stylish retreat when you're ready to escape the Mediterranean sunshine.

Situated dramatically on a cliff overlooking the azure waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, this five-star hideaway offers a delightful escape from the buzzing energy of town life. The property sits within a verdant cocoon of mature, luxuriant gardens while still being just a 15-minute saunter from the bustling centre. Inside, the décor whisks you back to a more elegant era – think finely inlaid furniture, magnificent hand-painted floors, and antique paintings that wouldn't look out of place in a museum. The warm, friendly atmosphere and attentive service create that rare alchemy where five-star luxury feels genuinely welcoming rather than stuffy. Whether you're lounging by the pool with Vesuvius on the horizon or riding the lift down to your private patch of beach, the views here are the sort that stay with you long after your tan has faded.

The Relais Della Rovere, historical villa of Pope Giulio II in 1400, is today an exclusive 4 Star Hotel with 30 rooms in the heart of Tuscany countryside, in the medieval village of Colle Val d'Elsa. A corner of peace and wellness located in a natural park with swimming pool and restaurant. The Relais is the perfect place to relax and taste the typical Tuscan products, the location makes it an excellent starting point to reach the most famous places in the area.

The only 5-star luxury hotel in the historic centre of Assisi, a charming and spiritual city in the heart of Umbria. Historically home to the ancient monastery of Santa Caterina, the Nun Relais is the result of a brilliant renovation that has maintained a skilful balance between the original Roman remains and the lightness of a contemporary architectural vision.

Just when you think you've seen every iteration of the Tuscan spa hotel, along comes this Belle Époque beauty to prove you wrong. A stone's throw from Montecatini Terme's train station (the proper one, mind you - there are two), this Art Nouveau palazzo has been keeping the same family busy for over a century. And when we say family, we mean it - young Fabio used to play hide and seek in these very corridors whilst mamma Luciana worked, and now here he is, running the show with the same enthusiasm he had as a kid racing through the halls.

The 81-room property occupies a handsome 19th-century building that wears its Liberty-style credentials with proper pride - think high ceilings, period furniture that's actually from the period, and enough architectural flourishes to keep your eyes entertained over breakfast.

Villa d'Amelia is more than just a hotel. It's an ideal retreat for those who want to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Langhe, amidst elegance and a warm welcome. With refined rooms and suites, a gourmet restaurant, a spacious relaxation area, and many other exclusive services , the Relais promises moments of pure relaxation and well-being amidst the evocative panorama of the Piedmont hills

One of the first in the city, the hotel has been providing guests a unique and unforgettable view of Florence since 1860. Now completely renovated, it still preserves its original character, and is the ideal place from which to experience the city. Its rooms offer a perfect blend of classical features and contemporary style, and give you the oh so difficult choice between a view of the River Arno and one of the majestic Santa Croce. Its crowning achievement? The rooftop pool and bar with panoramic views of the 'Cradle of the Renaissance'.

Belvedere Bellagio presents the authentic Lake Como experience, going beyond the overly grand stereotypes. Arrive with a head full of noise, leave with eyes full of color. The mountain greens and the lake blues.

Ever dreamt of living like 16th-century nobility? Step through the doors of this magnificent palazzo and you'll find yourself transported back in time to when members of the powerful Chigi family roamed its hallowed halls. Originally gifted by Pope Alexander VII to his niece as a rather lavish wedding present, today it stands as the only five-star hotel within Siena's ancient walls. Just a stone's throw from the iconic shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the striking zebra-striped Duomo, you're perfectly positioned to soak up the city's medieval splendour. Inside, original frescoed ceilings, cotto tile floors worn smooth by aristocratic footsteps, and antique chandeliers create an atmosphere that whispers of bygone opulence while catering to modern luxury-seekers.

Southwest Sicily doesn't feature in most first-time itineraries, but that's exactly what keeps it interesting. Wedged between the archaeological wonder of Agrigento and the port of Sciacca, this stretch of coast is quieter, more rugged and considerably less photographed than its more famous cousins. And so, amid 230 hectares of olive groves and citrus orchards, Rocco Forte dreamed up his only purpose-built resort: a collection of low-rise terracotta-and-ochre pavilions that look as though they've always been here. Days tend to revolve around the Irene Forte Spa, eight restaurants serving food largely grown on the estate, two championship golf courses and a two-kilometre stretch of private beach. Bliss.

Furnirussi Tenuta sits at the heart of Europe's largest organic fig plantation — 4,500 trees across 20 hectares of Salento countryside, 12km inland from Otranto. The De Santis family built it from bare land in 2006, and the result is unusually distinctive for the region: clean-lined, minimal and contemporary, where most masseria peers go rustic.

Twenty-nine suites open onto private courtyards or panoramic terraces. There's a lake-shaped 1,000sqm bio-pool, a rock-cut hammam, and a kitchen working straight from the farm next door.

Step through the gates of this impressive 16th-century Renaissance castle and you'll find yourself transported to a world where history and luxury dance in perfect harmony. As the first five-star hotel in the heart of Bolzano, this meticulously restored architectural gem offers a truly authentic experience. Stone by stone, the castle has been revived to showcase its original character while providing all the indulgences modern travellers crave.

Right in the beating heart of historic Italy sits this Mediterranean marvel, nestled between ancient walls and the glistening sea. The 5-star establishment exudes an air of refined elegance with its majolica-inspired design and artistic treasures scattered throughout. Step into a world where high, frescoed ceilings and traditional painted tiles transport you to a bygone era, yet all the modern luxuries you could wish for are at your fingertips. The piece de résistance? A rooftop terrace complete with a mosaicked swimming pool where aperitivos are served under swaying palm trees as the sun sets over one of the world's most iconic bays. This historic building may have one foot firmly planted in tradition, but it's also dancing gracefully to the tune of contemporary comfort.

Casa Monti is the Rome you picture when you close your eyes — cobblestones, sage-green shutters, artisan workshops and gelato on every corner — yet inside, it's a different world entirely. An old 18th-century palazzo, Parisian designer Laura Gonzalez has turned it into a maximalist love letter to Roman craftsmanship. Think hand-painted frescoes, Murano glass, Pompeian-red tiles, artfully clashing fabrics and colour. All the colour! It's vivid and personal, and the location is just as fantastic. Slap bang in the middle of the city, on a quiet stretch of Via Panisperna, it's in the heart of the city's coolest boutiques, galleries and bars.

Pull up alongside that storied waterway and prepare to be transported to a world where cherubs perch on marble staircases and centuries-old frescoes tell tales of nobility past. This 15th-century masterpiece has earned its status as a National Monument, and rightfully so. Each morning, throw open your windows to watch the theatre of daily life unfold at the historical market opposite, as vendors arrange their wares just as they have done for hundreds of years.

Overlooking the largest private garden in Europe just a 10 minute walk from the centre of Florence, the fragrance of plants and a blissful quiet fills the air. The result of a collaboration between the architect Francesco Maestrelli, with interior design by Matteo Perduca and his brother Marco, this Florentine gem is home to 16 rooms in the Oltrarno area south of the Arno river – the most artisanal and authentic Florentine district. Squares, museums, churches, shops and restaurants are all at a walking distance from this secret hideaway beyond the busy tourist streets.

Nestled along the crystalline waters of the Bay of Mazzarò, this century-old residence whispers tales of aristocratic summers past while offering thoroughly modern indulgences. Dating from 1919, when a noble family built their dream escape amid subtropical gardens, the property retains that unmistakable ambience of a private coastal villa rather than a hotel. The secluded shoreline setting creates a haven of tranquility, yet adventure lies just moments away via the cable car that whisks you up to the cultural treasures and boutique-lined streets above. It's the perfect harmony of isolation when desired and accessibility when needed – a rare combination that keeps devotees returning year after year.

In the sun-soaked embrace of Puglia's countryside, this 16th-century fortified farmhouse now offers a sublime escape that epitomizes the region's understated charm. Originally built as part of a defensive line against Saracen invasions, the whitewashed tower now stands as a testament to centuries gone by, complete with an ancient pigeon tower once used for wartime communication.

The hideaway in the Dolomites at an altitude of 1770 m. A unique building, one of its kind, in a breathtaking location. Enjoy the beauty of nature and the blessing of silence, as well as a high-level quality of life, to rediscover the true values of existence. Forestis regards itself as a place of retreat surrounded by nature, where time can once again be sensed and filled with emotional value through physical and mental mindfulness towards oneself.

The Suites at Forestis are surrounded by dense treetops. Nothing obstructs the view down into the valley, over wooded mountain landscapes or the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A tangle of ochre alleys, ivy-draped facades and piazzas that buzz until the small hours, Trastevere is the Rome the Romans go to. And tucked away at the quieter end of the neighbourhood, just at the foot of the Janiculum Hill, is Donna Camilla Savelli, a former 17th-century convent designed by Francesco Borromini. Named after the noblewoman who commissioned it in 1642, the building was home to Augustinian nuns for centuries before becoming a hotel. Its chequerboard marble floors, vaulted corridors and pretty gardens also featured in To Rome With Love - and in fact, the whole place really does feel like a beautifully preserved film set.

Perched dramatically above the glittering Mediterranean, this 13th-century Capuchin convent has been transformed into something rather special indeed. What was once a place of quiet reflection for monks now offers a different kind of transcendental experience - though we'd argue that gazing out over the azure waters from the infinity pool is its own form of meditation. Just a ten-minute amble from the bustling Piazza del Duomo, former monastic quarters have been reimagined with sophisticated flair, while the original cloister and chapel remain as atmospheric reminders of the building's storied past.

Ring the doorbell and wait to be greeted as if arriving at a friend's particularly stylish townhouse - albeit one with impeccable taste in Tuscan wines and a knack for artful décor. This elegant hideaway feels distinctly un-hotel-like, with its shelves adorned in an "artfully haphazard" array of hardback books, fresh flowers, and artistic sketches. The warm, informal atmosphere creates an instant sense of belonging in a city that can sometimes overwhelm with its artistic grandeur. Perfectly positioned for immersive exploration, you're just moments from iconic Renaissance treasures, yet tucked away enough to feel like a local rather than a tourist. This is Florence experienced as it should be - intimate, personal and utterly authentic.

Lùme is ideally located in the heart of the city between the Teatro Communale and the Mediterranean.

Discover the magic of staying among the trulli and cummerse, the characteristic dwellings of the Itria Valley, built from local stone using ancient techniques passed down through the generations. Immerse yourself in the silence of the Apulian countryside and let yourself be transported by the authentic atmosphere of these places where time seems to have stood still.