Best Urban Hotels in Italy

Founded in 1882, this Grande Dame occupies a spot on the waterfront overlooking the bay and its namesake. It has been visited by many famous guests over the years, including presidents, royalty, literary legends and actors (Keanu Reeves, Alfred Hitchcock, Claudia Schiffer, Giorgio Armani, Grace Kelly and Luciano Pavarotti to name but a few). Amenities here include a spa, a rooftop terrace, and several fine dining restaurants, such as the iconic Caruso Roof Garden Restaurant on the ninth floor. The Grand Hotel Vesuvio has over 200 guest rooms and suites, with some of the most privileged views in town. 

Offering a very different experience to the Grand Hotel, this is a six-storey boutique design hotel. At its heart is the i-CE AGE swimming pool, a water ‘sculpture’ for swimming, that’s heated to 31-34 degrees and open 24 hours a day. It has a bubble mat, elevated whirlpools, foot water jets and a large cervical blade waterfall that make bathing a luxurious indulgence. The i-FEEL GOOD Seaview Spa is an uber-modern light-filled space and the i-FAME restaurant features high-quality raw materials and a focus on fish. Bedrooms are known as i-SUITES and follow the minimalist design found throughout.

Made famous by Rimini’s own Federico Fellini, who used the building in his films, the Grand Hotel is also sought after as a five-star residence with an exclusive area of private beach across the road. It opened at the turn of the 20th century, but experienced damage during the war and due to a major fire, resulting in major refurbishments. Fortunately many original features including incredible stuccoed ceilings have survived and the property contains beautiful antique furniture. It has 121 bedrooms, a restaurant with an open-air terrace, a beachside eatery,  a seasonal kids’ club, a beach splash pool, as well as further pools on the terrace and in the spa.

Boasting all the opulence and luxury of a top-of-the-range city apartment, this collection of catalogue-perfect suites is ideal for people who are planning a longer trip to Verona and want to experience the best that modern city living has to offer. The suites can be found in the very heart of the city and each one has plenty of space while offering guests all of the luxury and lavishness that they could possibly wish for including stunning views from the picture windows and classic marble bathrooms with walk-in showers.

Conveniently located close to a large number of iconic attractions, Il Relais boasts plenty of style and sophistication. Guests are able to admire the impressive collection of antique furniture and other items that are well-appointed throughout the hotel and they are invited to touch as well as look. There are just four rooms for guests to choose from which provides a very intimate and luxurious feel and each room is very large and boasts a bathroom created from the dark pink marble that this part of the world is famous for. Guests will want to make sure that they take the opportunity to dine in the hotel’s celebrated restaurant, which attracts lovers of classic Veronese cuisine from all over the city and beyond.

Art lovers who have a taste for the finer things in life are sure to enjoy staying at the luxurious yet understated Grand Hotel Des Arts. The Piazza Bra is just a five-minute stroll away and wandering through this charming neighbourhood is an uplifting experience. Guests are treated to their choice of tea, coffee and cakes each day and the staff are always on hand to go the extra mile to make them feel special. Guests can take their pick from rooms that overlook the pretty garden or the Corso Porta Nuova and dining in the hotel’s courtyard is a real treat.

Boasting more than 700 years of rich history, this grand hotel regularly receives ratings as one of the leading hotels in the world and has received its fair share of celebrities over the centuries. While the Due Torri Hotel has managed to maintain a vintage style that is true to its roots, guests are treated to plenty of modern and luxurious touches such as full concierge service and a large lobby to unwind in. there are just 89 guestrooms to choose from and top picks include the lavish Maria Callas suite that is named after the famous singer who was a regular guest and the Presidential Suite that has played host to the Sheikh of Dubai. Rooms feature stylish pink marble bathrooms and balconies overlooking the pretty Piazza Sant’Anastasia.

Shaped like a well, Corte San Pietro offers you the very best of traditional Roman architecture with a touch of luxury. Much of the furniture comes from restored objects with Materan cave walls, making up for much of the walls. The hotel has a wide choice of carved rooms, including underground ones. It offers in-room massage, and babysitting and can connect you with leading tour service providers in the area. It has a mouth-watering traditional breakfast with new visitors getting free fruit desserts on arrival.

L’Hotel in Pietra is your luxurious boutique hotel in Sassi Matera. It is housed in a building that was a 1300’s church. You will feel a sense of deep spirituality with the historical charm in any of their en-suite rooms and restaurant. The hotel offers the very best of Italian and European cuisine, a Middle Ages like library and a terrace where you can have your lunch in the warm midday sun or dinner in the golden oars of the setting sun.

Located in a 17th century Italian Palace, Palazzo Viceconte Matera offers a kingly service while giving your awesome panoramic views of the historic Sassi and much of Matera. The magnificent hotel has spacious rooms and an excellent mix of cuisines that are fit for the kings. Couples get a weekend massage offer and a bottle of wine in the ‘Matera in Love’ offer. The palace is a great place to hold your weddings, special events, business meetings and conferences.

Palazzo Del Duca is housed in a restored palace in Sassi. It boasts of royalty like service that includes spacious, luxurious accommodation with attention to personal relaxation and general wellness. Room hallways and the restaurant are meticulously designed to give them a modern feel while preserving the rocky appearance. Enjoy delicious cuisines, in-room massage, cooking lessons and minibar, among others. This is a place to be for a relaxed Italian vacation or when you need to reset and restart your goals over again.

Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita is located in the historic Apennine Village in Matera. The hotel is located on the oldest part of the dwellings and faces the spectacular rock-hewn churches and Murgia Park. The hotel offers rooms and suites set into caves, a massage room, excursions into the nearby scenic areas, seaside excursions as well as local wine tasting and Italian bread making courses. You can stay in any of their 18 elegantly furnished rooms all with a traditional touch.