Best hotels in Italy: Top 20 great options for a vacation with amazing charisma
Avid travellers have never thought about how Italy, a country of relatively small area, can combine such bright and interesting things for busy trips. Here you can laze on the chic tents of the pentamarine and walk for long periods of time along endless showcases and impressive architectural buildings of different "ages".
In the winter season, guests are welcomed by picturesque mountain slopes with steep skiing, active volcanoes including Vesuvius, Etna, and Stromboli, and high tourist stream.
Among the rich variety of places to stay and rest in Italy, tourists find something for themselves in terms of style, service and prevailing atmosphere. Their doors are cordially open to tourists throughout the year.
Fans of seaside relaxation usually choose spring and autumn months for travel, while lovers of winter entertainment usuallyopt for the cold season when the mountainsides are covered with fluffy snow-white cover. Italy's mountain climate is truly unique, so resorts with ski slopes remain here all year round. In summer, the country is quite hot.
Here is a review of the best hotels in Italy, which occupy high positions in tourist ratings. They have "three in one": luxury service, comfortable accommodation and a wide range of entertainment for the most refined taste.
Il San Pietro di Positano
The list of the best hotels in Italy deservedly has San Pietro, which is regularly visited by world stars and representatives of the royal family. It is located on the charming coast of hospitable Italy Amalfi. Julia Roberts and George Clooney come here with pleasure to relieve fatigue and fill with fresh energy.
The hotel is tucked away in a secluded location, right on a protruding cliff, and only a few hours were spent there. More often than not, travellers come here for a coveted portion in the solitude and seclusion of the lonely pristine nature. It offers magnificent views of the picturesque village and the vast Mediterranean Sea.
The history of the establishment began in the 1970s during the construction of a villa on the dramatic cliff of Carlo Cinque. As a result, it was settled and transformed into a guesthouse.
The hotel's luxury suites are notable for more than just the seaside calendar. They feature hand-adjustable ceramic tiles and fabrics with adjustable counters. The interiors feature finished vintage elements and cashmere plaids that help create a homey atmosphere of warmth and comfort.
The creators of the hotel skillfully guess all the desires of the guests and make them a reality. When you want to socialize and have fun in a relaxed atmosphere, you can always spend time in the bar on the terrace or in the restaurant with an abundance of specialties and cocktails. Pleasant music and friendly interlocutors will help to make up for the lack of fresh emotions and impressions.
San Pietro invites guests to organize a unique leisure time. You can choose the right options, depending on your mood and personal preferences:
- Wonderful boat rides along the magical coast.
- A spa, a fitness club with exercise machines and a tennis court.
- A private beach in the embrace of the gentle southern sun.
- An evening stroll in the picturesque terraced garden.
There are on-site parking and swimming pool, as well as restaurant and bathhouse with relaxing hammam. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
Hotel Castello di Reschio, Umbria
Popular hotels in Italy are associated with excellent service and magical cosiness, and this is the aptly named Hotel Castello di Reschio in picturesque Umbria. It is proudly set in 3,700 acres of grounds with centuries-old oak and olive trees that are braided by vines.
For prepared guests, there are 36 bedrooms evenly scattered throughout the spacious courtyard. A weightless atmosphere of Italian hospitality and warmth prevails in the room.
The culinary variety of dishes presented in the hotel's two restaurants pleasantly impresses and delights the guests. With love for the guests, an extensive spa area with a rich selection of body and body treatments is equipped in the cellars under the Palm Court.
Cipriani, Hotel Belmond, Venice
Upon arrival in Venice, a lacquered cedar boat will guide you to Cipriani, a Belmond Hotel with a vibrant character. Within the first minutes of meeting your host, the establishment formalizes wishes for a magical vacation in an exotic corner of Italy.
There is a diverse guest arena for entertainment:
- Tennis courts for active recreation.
- A pool of considerable size for pleasant relaxation and wellness.
- A huge terrace for strolling in the generous sunlight, neatly laid out in marble and travertine.
The cuisine here is marvelous as the cooking processes are supervised by the famous chef Riccardo Canella. The restaurant has already received several Michelin stars and is not going to stop there. It offers flavourful Italian and international cuisine.
Fabio Semeraro/Vocabolo Muscatelli
The Hotel Vocabolo Muscatelli has deservedly earned its status as Italy's great hotel: it is located in an ancient monastery in Umbria on a fertile 2.5-acre site. This successful creation of Design Hotels over the years has been attended not only by tourists but also by the people of Italy.
They come here to spend unique vacations in a light atmosphere with chic dinners and entertainment. The hotel presents exquisite dishes of meat, poultry and seafood, as well as vegetables grown on their own vegetable garden.
There are 12 rooms, where authentic elements of the monastery are successfully combined with "strokes" of modern interiors. The beds here are custom-made by the talented craftsman Emanuele Lispi using original details.
Vocabolo Moscatelli has hosted fabulous lunches and dinners featuring local, Asian and Middle Eastern specialties.
Stick around for ramen in a delicate broth with smoked poultry and pudding with cheese, nuts and vanilla fudge and your taste buds will take you away to a world of culinary delights. In the evening, be sure to sample a specialty cocktail or a playful wine made in the best Italian tradition.
St. Regis Venice
The list of Italy's best hotels nestled on the banks of the Grand Canal is proudly headed by The St. Regis in Venice. The establishment has been in existence since 1895, and in 2019, it underwent a major renovation of the premises. The hotel has organized space for a magnificent collection of contemporary art and works by Venice's talented glass artisans.
Along with an array of top-notch amenities, vacationers get the opportunity to admire the enchanting clock via a mirror link. It is especially convenient to enjoy the picturesque scenery from the terraces of the Santa Maria Suite and the lush garden with its many fragrant roses.
Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti
In the picturesque valley of their trees, the talented Lefay family has created Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti near Madonna di Campiglio. Eco-architect Hugo Demetz played a decisive role in its construction, whose work masterfully combines warm woods and spectacular glass, a cool look and décor made of natural materials.
The bright gem of the establishment is the indoor spa, including 24 treatment rooms and swimming pools. Everything here is aimed at restoration of clean streams and guests' mental balance. For this purpose, the following rooms are equipped here:
- Aromatherapy saunas using orange and rosemary oils.
- Salt cave to improve the work of the lateral system.
- Turkish baths, the use of which is reflected in the strengthening of bodily health and renewal of spiritual balance.
The decoration of the 88 bright bedrooms of the hotel corresponds to its overall design concept. Homey and cosy rooms are provided with dense curtains and kitchen panels with images of cute animals. What can be more delicious than skillfully cooked Alpine char, which half an hour ago was swimming in turbulent river waters? And if you drink it with Trento champagne, then your life will definitely play with new colours.
Belmond Villa Margherita, Ravello
The Belmond Hotel Caruso lurks at the very top of Ravello amidst a thicket of divinely scented orange trees. This beautiful villa is located on the fabulous Amalfi Coast, far away from the bustling crowds.
The snow-white facade, built in the refined English style, embodies the best features of luxury Italian hotels. The paradise oasis is surrounded by emerald olive trees and marvelous curly roses. Its most important advantage is the strict observance of privacy with favourable offers of personalized service.
Travellers do not miss the opportunity to eat delicious pizza with spicy cheese and truffles and swim in the turquoise pool of Villa Margarita. A friendly concierge helps answer any vacation questions that arise.
The interior decoration of the hotel is no less spectacular than the exterior. High ceilings are decorated with elegant branches of exotic trees and ripe lemons. Guests are happy to book a villa here as the interior clearly shows elements of English interiors of the past labour. If there is no need to rent a whole house, you can choose only half of it and it will be much cheaper.
You can sip fragrant coffee in the small kitchen of luxury apartments. Do you feel like dining al fresco? The friendly staff will be happy to fulfill this wish.
Hotel de la Ville, Rome
Lists of the best places to stay in Italy may vary, but very often travel experts include Hotel de la Ville, heading to Rome. The creative brainchild of Olga Polizzi and architect Tommaso Ziffer has won over many guests with its sophisticated design and wealth of luxury amenities.
The hotel originated on the site of an old palace of the 18th century. Some rooms open out onto spacious terraces, from where it's such a pleasure to enjoy the pretty rooftops and local landscapes.
The hotel doesn't have an indoor pool, but this is aptly provided by a two-tiered spa with extensive use of Sicilian herbs for treatments. Enjoy a cup of healing herbal tea in the cosy bar with a sophisticated interior. Afterwards, head to dinner where you will be served mouth-watering delicacies of freshly caught fish with a golden crust.
Casa Maria Luigia, Modena
A luxurious 18th-century Italian villa in Modena has given new life to the Casa Maria Luigia. This beautiful hotel was created by the famous chef Massimo Bottura and his wife Lara Gilmore. The estate is surrounded by 4 hectares of picturesque gardens with an azure pool and winding alleys, with the crowns of lush trees towering above.
There are regular exciting Tortellante workshops here, which help students become experts at making chocolate macarons with stretchy cheese and delicate cream.
From the 12 accommodation options, travellers choose the most appropriate approaches to space and design. For example, one of the bedrooms is decorated with delicate heron fabrics on a creamy pink background that are so realistic.
The original design of the rooms has the fine taste of the car owners. Murano glass chandeliers and marble baths with cascading plant prints look very natural here.
There is perfectly prepared food as Maria Luigi's exquisite home-cooked food includes hot and crispy pastries. The sophistication of the dishes on offer here is off the charts. Take a bite of lemon pie and drink it with ruby wine and you will feel the waves of bliss enveloping you in a magical dance. And all this to the beautiful music of modern motifs.
Masseria Torre Maizza, Puglia
Many of the best hotels to stay in Italy are quickly gaining popularity among novice and avid travellers alike. Let us now visit together one of the best establishments with the memorable name of Masseria Torre Maizza. It grew among the white walls of an ancient 16th-century estate with a charming country manor atmosphere.
Its living space is constantly expanding into cosy rooms with a practical layout. A nine-hole golf course is provided for guests, which is combined with emerald greens and olive groves. For pleasant strolls, guests are lovingly adorned with a manicured garden with roses and bougainvillea.
A blue-water swimming pool is provided for relaxing, while cosy gazebos are available for moonlit sighs and leisurely gazebos. Here guests are offered lunch and dinner in the open air and the "picture" of a chic meal is spectacularly decorated with plates of juicy seasonal fruits.
The design of the restaurant is also impressive. The contrasting black-and-white scheme is successfully embedded with bright colours, such as, for example, mustard cushions or bright decor elements.
Artful culinary expert Luigi Barletta knows how to prepare cool local specialties and international masterpieces. Spaghetti with tomatoes and herbs and magical Italian sauce is a must-try here.
Villa Igiea, Rocco Forte Hotel, Palermo
Good hotels in Italy represent its picturesque landscapes, bringing notes of freshness and royal luxury. For example, Villa Igiea sprawls across wild Palermo and has skillfully chosen a hotel space and a centre for guest wellness.
This resort is owned by the affluent Florios family, who have transformed it into an island paradise with a pool and fabulous calendars on the bay. The interior layout of the hotel delights with designer fixtures featuring colourful murals and massive grand staircases. Guests truly relax in the spacious rooms with comfortable bathrooms. They are adorned with brightly coloured tiles and exquisite decorative elements.
Spend an evening with a glass of wine accompanied by colourful music and you will want to prolong these pleasant moments.
Como Castello del Nero, Chianti
Outstanding vacation spots in Italy are often set on the site of ancient castles with a vintage atmosphere. Castello Del Nero is a representative of just such. It is a castle of 12, which surrounds 740 acres of picturesque valleys and thickets of exotic trees.
The talented Navone was passionate about the hotel's design concept. He arranged countless chandeliers and bedspreads, beds with carved headboards and "flying" canopies.
Vaulted ceilings and a combination of light colours create a sense of airy atmosphere in the rooms. The Michelin-starred restaurant La Torre is adorned with designer chairs made using faux pony skin.
Mezzatorre, Ischia
Within the walls of a former 16th-century watchtower and pirate's lookout on the picturesque island of Ischia, a new "hotel life" called Mezzatorre has sprung up. This atmospheric establishment with semi-circular ceilings and spacious verandas serves the splendid buzz of city life with endless worries.
For tourist gourmets, there are carefully prepared accommodation right in the forest among the last exotic trees. Here the unity with untouched nature is especially vivid. One of the most popular hotels in Italy invites travellers to plunge into the world of real relaxation and bliss. In the basement of the hotel, there is a wonderful spa centre, the walls of which are spectacularly decorated with emerald tiles. There are mineral water pools and a huge outdoor seawater pool surrounded by comfortable loungers in a blue and white colour scheme.
La Baia restaurant skillfully maintains Italian hospitality in exotic surroundings. It features fine local wine and delicate carpaccio di mare. Despite the young age of the chef of the large gastronomic space, thanks to him, there are secret methods of preparing flavourful delicacies of meat, fish and vitamin vegetables.
Il Palazzo Experimental, Venice
If you dream of visiting the highest level hotel in Italy, visit Il Palazzo Experimental, which has become a cosy gem of guests from different parts of the world. The construction, erected back in the 16th century, is located on the east of the picturesque Le Zattere promenade. It contrasts rather sharply with other hotels in Venice, filled with roads, velvet and vintage furniture.
The institution's history began in 2006 when it was opened as an experimental cocktail club with an abundance of specialty drinks for the most refined taste. The young and creative designer Dorothée Meilichzon has developed an original design of the hotel's interiors in the modern Art Deco style. Its luxurious bedrooms are adorned with good furniture and elegant decor.
Even the hotel's brightly coloured signage in added mosaic style has its own history. It dates back to the 30th quarter of last year when the Adriatic Shipping Company was headquartered here.
The skillful culinary staff of the hotel restaurant lovingly create their masterpieces from natural farm products, fresh fruits and vegetables. A carefully selected bouquet of spices and seasonings will help to complement and enrich the flavourful dish.
Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como
When reviewing the best hotels in Italy, it is difficult to do it without Mandarin Oriental, which is spread out on the picturesque shore of Lake Como. Getting here, travellers feel as if they had solved all the secrets of the necessary rest.
It was "born" after the restoration of the estate of Giuditta Pasta, an 18th-century opera singer. It is a paradisiacal nest with emerald gardens and a spacious swimming pool that complements the waterscape with marvelous lakes. The L'Aria restaurant works its magic with the preparation of sumptuous Italian and international specialties. This is led by the current South Italian chef Vincenzo Guarino, who brings freshness and novelty to traditional dishes.
The American designer Eric Egan has worked hard to create the images of the picture interiors. Here, neoclassical elements of behaviour are successfully intertwined with attributes observing Far Eastern roots.
The beating heart of one of Italy's top-rated hotels is the luxurious Villa Roccabruna, which houses its key elements:
- A lobby with austere check-in, sunny furnishings and creative décor.
- A spa with divine rejuvenation and wellness treatments in the basement.
- CO.MO Bar and Bistro with a rich selection of signature culinary delights and a casual atmosphere.
- The Sala Mandarin Lounge, which is perfect for quiet lounges with a glass of refreshing cocktail.
The hotel's 63 rooms are scattered throughout the property, offering first-class amenities for guests. For guests who do not tolerate compromise, there are 10 suites with signature furnishings and exquisite designer decorations.
Sirenuse, Positano
The top hotel in Italy with the fiery name of Sirenuse appeared on the site of the reservation of the aristocratic family villa Sirenuse in Positano. The guest house cordially invites guests to forget about all earthly cares and immerse into the world of bliss and tranquility in the divine nature.
Representatives of the Sirenuse family remain cautious and irresistible craving for art. They are fond of collecting picturesque images and place them in their favourite hotels.
The original trick of the founders of the state is that they regularly engage experts to create paintings that point to the situation in systemic institutions. They help create a special, incomparable atmosphere in the rooms.
The small bedrooms of the hotel are equipped with balconies, tiled floors and antique tables for strolling. The surrounding scenery allows for relaxation and the best travel experiences.
The restaurant La Sponda, with its luxurious dining room, has a solemn and somewhat mysterious atmosphere thanks to its 400 candles. The room is decorated with all the plants and stylish furniture carefully selected by the designers.
The restaurant is refined and varied. Special emphasis is placed here on the preparation of dishes from farm products, fresh fish and crispy vegetables. The aesthetic component is not inferior to the rich flavour bouquet of fine delicacies. Italian herbs and elegant slices of southern fruits are widely used to decorate dishes in the restaurant.
Borgo Egnazia, Puglia
On the list of Italy's coolest hotels frequented by international celebrities, the Borgo Egnazia takes special place. The snow-white architectural complex offers travellers a chic stay in the best Italian traditions. The bright and well-maintained rooms have authentic interiors. Here, sunny stone floors blend seamlessly with spacious south-facing terraces and piazza decor in the form of baskets of fragrant dried herbs.
Some rooms are equipped with their own kitchens, which increases their functionality. There are luxurious apartments with swimming pools, where the most daring dreams of tourists about a vacation in an exotic oasis are presented.
The cuisine here is excellent with the predominant use of meat and selected varieties of fish, simple cereals, herbs and vegetables. The plates for vacationers combine broccoli with mushrooms and eggplant with mozzarella. Olive oil of excellent quality takes a special place in the recipe of specialties.
Kids are not bored here either thanks to the Children's Club with conservative board games and thematic activities, soft toys and educational games.
Adults get a lot of pleasure from beach recreation on the azure coast and rejuvenating procedures of the spa centre. In the evening, the surrounding area is lit up by lanterns with a soft enveloping light that sets guests in a romantic mood.
One of the best places to visit in Italy offers the best conditions for sports thanks to the fitness centre and tennis courts. There is a spacious 18-hole golf course at the San Domenico Golf Club.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como
The best hotels to visit are shrouded in atmospheric glamour and world chic. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo, decorated in a spectacular Art Nouveau style, can safely dare to belong to such establishments. The hotel features a spacious lobby with parquet floors and paintings by creative artists in the spirit of Botticelli.
The chic ambience of the rooms helps to create good furniture with shimmering upholstery in the light lamp. The atmosphere of rich interiors is perfectly matched by the variable ceilings, gilded bed headboards and important mirror frames.
For dinner, travellers choose different cooking options:
- La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi main restaurant with specialties and drinks;
- L'Escale Culinary with a chic selection of lunch or dinner dishes.
Guests' favourite activities include rich water walks along Lake Como and along the waterfront overlooking Villa Carlotta, which is braided with fairy azalea.
Grand Hotel Timeo, Hotel Belmond
One of the best hotels to stay in Italy with romantic charm is the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, which is located in Taormina. Grand Hotel Timeo magically attracts vacationers of all ages and income levels. Truman Capote and D. Lawrence enjoyed staying here.
The hotels are decorated with everything from chic rooms with cosy furnishings to amazing terracotta roofed village houses and picturesque coasts. One can easily reach the noble Etna. In the exquisite Otto Geleng restaurant, with 16 seats, it is so pleasant to savour flavourful dishes of meat, vegetables and seafood. And the fact that it has received a Michelin star is no accident.
The adjacent territory of the hotel is immersed in lush emerald gardens with extraordinary trees, magical flowers and many winding alleys for strolling. In the wellness centre, you can devote time to your well-being and mood. When performing a treatment, its master uses oil, plant-based aromatic products and perfumes with a pronounced herbal effect.
Il Sereno, Lake Como
The list of cool places to vacation in Italy almost always includes Il Sereno, Lake Como, which is located in Torno. Renowned architect Patricia Urquiola did a great job. The structure with light facades and a charming garden fits perfectly into the enchanting "picture" of the local landscape.
The hotel offers a heated swimming pool made of expensive stone and a spacious wooden terrace for impressive walks. In the cosy lobby with branded furniture, you can enjoy the beautiful moments of life with a glass of ruby wine or sparkling champagne.
Room interiors are decorated with great attention to detail, the cuisine delights with harmonious combinations of simplicity and subtle aesthetics of the dishes presented. You can take a trip on the mirrored surface of Lake Como.
I hope our trip to the best hotels in Italy has brought you a lot of positive emotions and you already have a ready plan where you can go this summer.
Enjoy your vacation and let the extravagant emotions take you over!
