Best Luxury Hotels in Italy

Rastrello is a stylish boutique hotel in the medieval hilltop village of Panicale, in Umbria. Close to the village square, this restored 14th-century palazzo and its adjacent Garden Annex look out across olive groves to Lake Trasimeno. It has the relaxed style of a family home, with elegantly furnished guest rooms, guest lounges with complimentary drinks and snacks, and the Cucina & Giardino farm-to-table restaurant, with the owners’ estate organic olive oil on every table.

An imposing 1930s Roman bank reimagined as a luxury hotel, the Aleph Rome Hotel. Found a few steps from Via Veneto, this classic property offers a welcoming lobby bar, and cigar lounge and on the top floor, the Sky Restaurant, a bar and a rooftop pool looks over the roofs of the Eternal City. The spa and fitness suite are found in the former subterranean bank vaults. Expect old-school glamour, warm Italian hospitality and a contemporary Roman holiday waiting beyond the grand entrance.

Converted and extended from a 19th-century villa, Villa Flori is a luxury 4-star hotel standing between Como and Cernobbio. As well as a selection of rooms and suites, it offers the spectacular Gran Lago Suite right on the waterfront complete with wraparound terrace and lush gardens that offer almost complete privacy. Hotel guests can dine in the sophisticated elegance of the Raimondo restaurant complete with terrace or relax in the lounge bar or wind down in the mini spa which also offer Technogym machines for a bit of a workout.

Those seeking more of an escape can stay a little further from the city, in this historic boutique property between Cinque Terre and the Ligurian Gulf of Poets. Back in the 17th century, the Grand Hotel Portovenere served as the Convent of San Francesco. Many of its original features have been preserved, with a creative, informal and elegant refurbishment bringing it into modern times. Looking out onto the marina and Porto Venere, the Grand Hotel’s Palmaria Restaurant has a stunning verandah for a sun-soaked lunch or candlelit dinner with top-notch service.

Bulgari’s Rome residence had a glittering launch befitting the glamorous brand. It’s the second Bulgari hotel to arrive in Italy, spanning 151,000 square feet across six floors. Set on the Piazza Augusto Imperatore, it inhabits a grand 1930s-era building, with stunning views afforded from the chic alfresco terraces. Inside you’ll find lots of marble and hand-blown Murano glass. The spa seeks to evoke the aesthetic of ancient baths, with a columned pool, eight treatment rooms and a suite featuring an onyx bath. And there are five dining venues under the direction of Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito.

Belmond Villa San Michele is one of the priciest five-star hotels in Florence located in a serene woody hillside near the village of Fiesole. The hotel is established on a building that was once a Franciscan Monastery. Its currently weathered portico and imposing terrace are said to have been sculpted by the infamous Michelangelo. The peaceful gardens, as well as the massive pool bordered by a lush lawn, are perfect spots to unwind. Being a historical building, the rooms sport vaulted ceilings, bottle glass windows, and some rustic bedsteads. The main restaurant is designed with a veranda that offers a magnificent view of the city. The menu consists mainly of Tuscan dishes prepared by competent chefs.

Named Best Luxury Destination Hotel by the World Luxury Awards in 2022, this Grande Dame is set in a turn-of-the-20th-century building with views of the Gulf of Tigullio. 80 bedrooms and suites have features such as picture windows, wrought-iron balconies and jacuzzi baths. The Erre Spa offers multisensory wellness paths, with treatments using Esthederm and 5 monde products. And guests can experience Ligurian cuisine in the romantic Le Cupole Restaurant on the rooftop and at La Veranda Bistrot, while drinks are served at the Vie della Seta Bar and at the poolside bar.

Found on Giudecca island, the Cipriani is but a few minutes away from the tourist centre, accessed via the Belmond’s own luxe launch moored at the edge of its gorgeous gardens. Once on its grounds, you’ll find tennis courts, a 15th-century wing housing period bedrooms with butler service, a private marina and an expansive pool terrace that meets the Grand Canal. Offering lovely lagoon views as you sunbathe and swim, this area has an Olympic size pool, filled with seawater. Another highlight is its Michelin-starred formal restaurant, Oro. Those seeking a more laid-back ambience can dine lagoon or pool-side at two further eateries.

Housed in a 17th-century deep red watchtower located on a leafy coastal track above the bay, the Mezzatorre is now a sophisticated retreat. It was once used to look out for pirates, retaining super thick walls, vaulted ceilings and epic sea views. One of the towers is home to the restaurant, where a coastal theme continues with the catch of the day being cooked simply and perfectly. A further restaurant is found beside the pool with great tunes and superb pasta. Making use of the plot’s own thermal springs, the spa comprises pools of mineral-rich water and seawater, hot Kneipp pools, a steam room and treatment rooms.

Located along the beautiful coastline of Santa Reparata Bay on the northern coast of Sardinia, the Mangia’s Santa Teresa Resort, is a stunning 5-star resort that is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton.The resort comprises 199 bright guest rooms with sea or garden views and interiors take inspiration from elegant Arab styles. Guests can enjoy access to a private beach along with a breathtaking infinity pool, a gym and a tennis court for sports enthusiasts. For adventure seekers, there are nearby trekking trails to explore the surroundings or a short 10-minute trip to the charming town of Santa Teresa Gallura. Dining facilities include two restaurants and stylish bar.

Award-winning luxury wine resort, Conti di San Bonifacio, is located in Italy’s Tuscany, a region steeped in tradition and breath-taking scenery. The suites within the resort are rustic and romantic and overlook either the pristine vineyards or expansive olive groves, each suite presents an individual charm yet all are equally as comfortable so guests can relax and recharge.The Maremmana Restaurant boasts stunning views and showcases Tuscan cooking in all its glory with an innovative twist, much of the produce is homegrown in its organic garden or locally sourced so dishes are superbly seasonal with an emphasis on zero km ethos. Truffle hunting, olive oil tasting, conscious cooking classes and many more foodie experiences can be enjoyed by guests at the hotel. Excursions to explore the local area can also be arranged by the team.

Welcome to the cinematic landscapes of Tuscany, where the outskirts of the famed medieval town of Montepulciano hold a hidden gem – the Poggio Alla Sala estate. This enchanting retreat offers a timeless escape well-suited for families and couples seeking a peaceful, rejuvenating getaway. Surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves and farmhouses, this enchanting retreat captivates guests with its natural beauty, exotic cuisine, wonderful wines and mystical ambience.