Best Urban Hotels in Italy

Hotel Ponte Sisto a short walk from the bakeries around the famed Campo de Fiori market and some of the still family-run artisan food shops and neighbourhood markets of the Trastevere and Testaccio districts. In what was a former monastery, some of the rooms here feature balconies and even whirlpool tubs and the lovely garden courtyard or rooftop terrace is the perfect place to relax.

In a peaceful part of busy Capri town but only a short walk from the buzz of the Piazzetta, this nineteenth-century palazzo has been transformed into a de luxe boutique hotel with individually-designed rooms with all facilities, and pop art decorating the interior. A superior restaurant offers regional cuisine, Kosher and Halal options, and of course, a panorama to wow diners. Also available are upgrades, suites, spa and treatments, indoor pool and sauna, whirlpool tub, bar and rooftop terrace.

For an independent hotel stay when in Rome the Palazzo Ripetta couldn’t be a finer choice. This 78-bedroom property is part of the Relais and Chateaux portfolio and presents an inimitable style of Italian hospitality combined with historic and artistic elegance. The interiors were designed by Fausta Gaetani, using a mix of muted tones and jewel-coloured accents and pieces that evoke period sensibilities, but through a modern bold lens. Salone Bernini (which includes a cloister space), the Piazzetta, the Etere Rooftop and the garden provide places for guests to wine and dine in style, with food by the hotel’s Executive Chef Marco Ciccotelli. Palazzo Ripetta is just a few moments’ stroll from both the iconic Piazza del Popolo and river Tiber.

Found only 100 meters from the Duomo, The Gray Sina is a five-star design hotel with an impressive Art Nouveau façade. Inside are 21 rooms and suites, decorated in a sophisticated contemporary style that utilises steel, glass, silk and natural woods, offset by daring touches, such as animal print textiles. Some are especially unique with features including suspended beds, private gyms and Turkish baths. It has three places to eat and drink; Le Noir restaurant for modern and delicate dishes in a cleverly lit dining room akin to a black container; the on-trend GBAR, and Aria, The Gray Sina’s alfresco lounge.

Set on a clifftop on the edge of Taormina, the Excelsior Palace Hotel provides guests with a first-rate experience combined with plenty of luxurious and stylish touches. Couples are sure to love dining on the terrace after dark as the waves crashing on the beach provide a natural backdrop combined with the glittering lights of the town that stretches along the curving bay. Each of the hotel’s 85 rooms are extremely elegant and provides guests with exclusive touches such as large beds and bathrooms, while those who want to enjoy the best should opt for a suite with views of Mount Etna.

The 25 hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino is one the quirkiest luxury hotel’s to be found anywhere in the world. Its interior is designed along the lines of ‘Paradiso and Inferno’ meaning that whilst the hotel is incredibly inviting and cosy it is also ‘hellishly amusing.’ The hotel’s décor is amusing and fun, each space is different yet distinctly welcoming. The hotel has a large variety of rooms, and all take inspiration from Dantes Paradiso or Dantes Inferno. The rooms are unique and chic, they are equipped with luxurious beds, Bluetooth speakers and smart TVs. The hotel is home to its own fitness centre (which has a yoga area), spa and sauna, cinema and even has bikes which guests can use to explore Florence. The hotel also has many dining options like the San Paolino restaurant which serves fresh Italian dishes in its incredible glass ceilinged dining room and cosy Companion Dolcemaro Bar which is speakeasy-esque in nature.

Built in 1874 and fully renovated in 2022, the Sina Bernini Bristol stands proudly overlooking the Piazza Barberini and its ornate Triton Fountain. This period grandeur continues inside, with Murano chandeliers, frescoes, silk textiles, travertine marble, damask and brocade. 166 bedrooms have a generous spread of bright colours — notably those in the contemporary Signature category. Relax at the WellBe spa and thermal suite, or over a slow meal at The Flair, the rooftop restaurant with dishes by Chef Alessandro Caputo. A second dining room is found on the first floor, enjoying views over the piazza.

Hotel Bristol Palace Genoa is located in the very heart of the beautiful port city of Genoa and allows for easy exploration of the stunning and historical surroundings. The hotel is conveniently surrounded by incredible sights including the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Via Garibaldi. The hotel has recently been renovated and incorporated modernity and functionality into its charming design. There are 133 rooms and suites to choose from and are completely pet-friendly. Each room is decadently decorated with a traditional design in spacious and brightly lit spaces. The hotel also boasts 10 reception rooms and 8 meeting spaces which are perfect for hosting any event. The on-site Giotto restaurant makes for the perfect venue for special occasions and banquets and includes a seasonal terrace option from June to September. The restaurant itself serves exquisite delicacies throughout the day and is open to guests and the public alike.

This boutique guesthouse follows an ethos of authenticity and personalised service, catering to a new generation of travellers. It comes from Neri Baccheschi Berti, whose family launched the award-winning Castello di Vicarello in Tuscany, and it only recently became a hotel; prior to this, it had been the Legnano racing bike factory and the Baccheschi Berti family’s fashion brand studio/showroom. Guests can curl up in the sitting room with a good book from Vico Milano’s curated library, work out in the gym and spend evenings in the hotel’s speakeasy bar, sampling Baccheschi Berti award-winning organic wines and nibbling on classic Italian snacks.

The Pavilions Rome, The First Arte, a boutique five-star hotel, has reopened after a comprehensive renovation by Studio Marincola, transforming the hotel’s lobby, bar, rooms, and suites. The renovation combines sophisticated hospitality with artistic flair, and showcases 200 new pieces of contemporary art, designed to immerse guests in Rome’s artistic heritage. Guest rooms present cream-coloured walls, natural oak floors, and indirect lighting to enhance privacy. Decorative elements like Levanto red marble tables and Canaletto walnut pieces, alongside large, geometrically patterned rugs and vibrant art, add warmth and elegance. The bathrooms have been updated with Emperor marble to further enhance the luxurious feel. The hotel acts as a living art gallery, each floor is dedicated to individual artists, with large installations in public areas and smaller artworks in rooms for private viewing. Key features include a ground floor with interconnected spaces displaying art, including Giovanni Albanese’s ‘Call Centre’ sculpture and Teodosio Magnoni’s ‘Corpo Lungo’ The rooftop garden and Acquaroof restaurant offer panoramic views of Rome, designed to mirror the city’s architecture, and is the perfect place to enjoy coffee at breakfast through to cocktails and sunset. The First Arte, along with The First Musica and The First Dolce, forms part of The First Roma by The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts, offering a unique urban resort experience that merges la dolce vita with modern Roman culture.

The Anglo American Hotel Florence, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, has opened its doors in the heart of Tuscany, following a thorough renovation overseen by Italian architect Chiara Caberlon. This historic 19th-century building, which has previously hosted notable figures like Leo Tolstoy and Maria Callas, combines preserved historical features with a modern and eclectic design, vibrant colours, and artwork from the 1920s. The hotel, which boasts 118 rooms and suites, a sun-drenched interior courtyard, a modern gym, and meeting rooms for up to 70 people, aims to provide a unique guest experience by blending its storied past with contemporary amenities. The Whisper Wine Bar and Courtyard, inspired by the British ladies’ community “Scorpions” from the 1930s, and Vivi Bistro, offering local and international cuisine, add to the hotel’s allure. Located within walking distance of Florence’s renowned Renaissance art and architecture, the Anglo-American Hotel Florence is positioned as a distinctive addition to the city’s vibrant hotel scene, offering a bespoke stay in one of Italy’s most sought-after destinations.

Enchanting, eclectic, arty and sophisticated, this hotel makes your city break in the Eternal City, something quite unique. The design features geometric lines, retro patterning, indulgent fabrics and lots of contemporary artwork. There are three dining establishments onsite; the Dandy Cafè, El Porteño Gourmet and Terrazza Flores. Bedrooms and suites are available, with plenty of home comforts. Suites also provide a private living room and kitchenette. Umiltà 36  is just steps from the Trevi Fountain and looks out over the pretty rooftops of Rome on one side, the hotel’s classic courtyard on the other.