Best Urban Hotels in Italy

Imagine checking into a historic residence during your next visit to Rome, complete with elegant drawing rooms, regal bedrooms, a grand library, and genuine antique furnishings. Villa Spalletti Trivelli has all the bells and whistles to make you feel as though you were a guest at a stately home in the early 20th century, whilst simultaneously providing all the necessary modern amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. This five-star hotel doubles as an urban villa retreat and features a majestic Italian garden and relaxing spa to help guests unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

Originally built in 1822, Hotel La Palma, is one of Capri’s most exclusive and luxurious hotels. The hotel’s 50 suites and rooms have all been recently renovated by renowned interior designer Francis Sultana. They are modern yet playful and thus are inviting and fun. Hotel La Palma is home to its own private beach club on Capris white sands, its own fitness centre, spa and picturesque pool. The hotel is home to three separate restaurants which include a lively terrace restaurant and a restaurant at the hotel’s beach club which specializes in fresh seafood. Yet the hotel’s culinary piece de resistance is Gennaro’s, a relaxed yet sophisticated restaurant named after its Michelin-starred executive Chef Gennaro Esposito who specializes in classic Italian dishes.

Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection, is a luxurious 83-room retreat set on a scenic hillside in Florence, offering breathtaking views of the UNESCO-listed city and Tuscany’s rolling landscapes. Once a historic educational institution, the 16th-century property has been meticulously restored, blending timeless elegance with modern sophistication. Guests can enjoy curated cultural experiences, including private fashion atelier tours, chef-led cooking classes, and exclusive opera performances. The hotel features four dining venues, including La Gamella and the historic Bar Bertelli, a serene Aelia Spa in partnership with Furtuna Skin, and stunning event spaces such as a restored chapel and grand theatre. With its exquisite design, immersive experiences, and unparalleled hospitality, this first Italian property from Auberge Resorts Collection redefines luxury in Florence.

Orient Express La Minerva showcases timeless hospitality with its first ultra-luxury hotel, set within a 17th-century palazzo in the heart of Rome. This landmark property marks a significant debut, for the iconic travel brand, that blends Roman heritage with sophisticated design. Restored by renowned architect and artist Hugo Toro, the interiors channel the elegance of the original Orient Express carriages through rich wood panelling, bespoke travel trunks, hand-painted ceilings, and a palette inspired by Rome’s skies and classical architecture.

Each of the 93 rooms and 36 suites has been individually crafted to reflect the property’s historic soul, with the Stendhal Suite paying tribute to one of the palazzo’s most distinguished former guests. The hotel’s public spaces are equally considered, with a series of lounges and corridors echoing the polished charm of the golden age of travel.

Culinary experiences include La Minerva Bar, set beneath a glass ceiling and flanked by marble columns and the original statue of the goddess Minerva; the Gigi Rigolatto rooftop restaurant, opening in May 2025, promises panoramic views across Rome alongside Riviera-inspired cuisine; and the upcoming Mimi Kakushi, an award-winning pan-Asian concept bringing the creative energy of 1920s Osaka to the Eternal City.

The hottest new hotel to hit Milan’s streets (specifically the desirable and arty Brera quarter), Casa Baglioni is the work of Italian architects Spagnulo & Partners and the latest addition to the Baglioni Collection. It takes inspiration from the Milanese design era of the 1960s and includes a curated selection of art pieces, rotating exhibitions and bespoke furnishings by big hitters in the world of interiors. The property accommodates 30 bedrooms and suites, a common living area, a wine cellar offering private tastings and a restaurant by the Michelin-starred chef Claudio Sadler.

According to legend this hotel is built on a site which was once home to sirens, dangerous creatures who lured nearby sailors to shipwreck on the cliffs with their enchanting music and voices. Whilst you may see some beautiful people with flowing tresses around the hotel, it’s more likely the jet set and Hollywood A-listers these days. This flamboyant hotel is brilliantly OTT in a truly classic Italian way. Interiors are bold and vibrant, taking inspiration from the natural beauty of the surrounding Sorrento. The hotel’s not short on facilities either with a spa, a gym, manicured gardens, a library, a sunbathing platform, a restaurant, a bar, and a club lounge all on site. We would recommend the Superior Sea Rooms for their sophisticated Italian elegance, opulent chandeliers and antiques, and of course, those incredible views over the Gulf of Naples.

Dating back to 1897, this is one of the oldest hotels in the land. And during its century and a quarter of business, the Grand Hotel Savoia has welcomed an illustrious list of guests. Each room is individually styled, with Belle Époque features and art representing the city’s connection to overseas adventure. Its pretty seventh-floor terrace provides views across Genoa’s rooftops – a charming spot to breakfast. Evening meals can be taken here, or in the interior dining room of Ristorante Salgari, with its frescoed walls and dark wood furnishings. And there’s the enveloping Spa La Spiaggia Segreta for a little self-care time.

Nestled near cultural landmarks such as the Guggenheim Collection and Accademia Gallery, Il Palazzo Experimental serves as a hub for both tourists and locals. Its 32 well-appointed rooms and suites are bathed in natural light and offer views of a serene canal and garden. The collaboration between the Experimental Group and the founders of the Italian Supper Club has led to the establishment of Adriatica Restaurant, promising an authentic Italian culinary journey with locally sourced ingredients. The bar, designed by Cristina Celestino, pays homage to Venice through a symphony of marble and antique mirrors, drawing inspiration from Carlo Scarpa.

The glamorous Rocco Forte Hotel De Russie was established in 2000 and offers a luxury hospitality service to wide-eyed travellers from all around the world wanting to experience Rome in all its glory. The hotel is located on the historic Via del Babuino, only 50 metres from Piazza del Popolo, and is within walking distance of the city’s main tourist attractions, such as the Spanish Steps. Guests can expect top-notch amenities, as well as a host of activities that are sure to make their stay as comfortable and memorable as possible. These include a secret garden, restaurant, spa, and fitness centre.

Hotel Lungarno, a part of the high-end Salvatore Ferragamo family, is a must-visit holiday refuge. It is situated right on the Arno River, with its lobby overlooking the medieval Ponte Vecchio Bridge. The hotel was renovated recently and currently features a bold style with nautical furnishings. From the living room, one can catch a glimpse of the water flowing below. Visitors get to enjoy a serene atmosphere created by the blue and white accents on the leather surfaces within the premises. The rooms and suites are furnished with antique furniture and more than 450 pieces of art, including Picasso’s art, Tuscan artisanship, and works from renowned Italian artists. Historic galleries and fancy shopping malls are a stone’s throw away from the hotel. World-class cuisines are served at the Michelin-starred Borgo San Jacopo restaurant located within its vicinity.

Located a short walk away from the Milano Centrale train station, Excelsior Hotel Gallia opened in 1932 and has since been completely renovated with the help of the acclaimed designer Marco Piva. Its rooms all include a flat-screen television, free wi-fi and room-service, while upgrading to a suite will provide guests with a small cooking area, an espresso machine and a butler service. Furthermore, the hotel has its own spa, gym, wine cellar and lounge, as well as a selection of bars and restaurants.

A stroll away from the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and the Roman Pantheon, this five-star residence occupies a 16th-century mansion house just off the Via Condotti. The interiors showcase classic Italian style, with ornate gilt mirrors, oversized oil paintings, polished wood antiques, panelled rooms and tactile velvet textiles. Its Roman rooms and suites, now refurbished, previously hosted the likes of Mark Twain, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck and Henry James. Cafe Romano, the in-house restaurant spills onto the streetside during the warmer months and the hotel bar is one of the oldest in the city, having served customers since 1845. For guests wishing to explore the heritage trades and traditions of Rome guests can book an Exclusive Craft Experience through the concierge team.