Best Design Hotels in Italy

Located in the very heart of Lecce, The Fiermontina Urban Resort in Lecce provides guests with a large outdoor swimming pool that is set in a pretty garden. An Italian-style breakfast is served each morning, while food lovers can enjoy a range of dishes that are created by the onsite restaurant and served on the large outdoor terrace. The Duplex Suite provides an impressive 35 square metres of space and features a large patio area to unwind on as well as a modern bathtub and a wide range of other modern conveniences.

People who want the chance to get back into the swing of things while surrounding themselves with luxury are sure to love staying at this traditional Puglian Masseria as it comes complete with its own golf course. Forty bougainvillea-draped rooms feature balconies that face the ocean, while there is a pretty a vine-shaded collonaded pool. Guests are also treated to a private beach as well as several beachside restaurants to unwind at.

Walking into this sumptuous establishment is like wandering through the set of a lavish Hollywood set with plenty of decadent elements for guests to appreciate. Borgo Egnazia boasts two private beaches as well as four swimming pools and five international restaurants, each of which offers a variety of culinary adventures. Guests will find everything they need here for a holiday filled with the ultimate in pampering, including a Michelin-starred restaurant for food lovers and free daily yoga classes. The most luxurious villas here are elegantly furnished and feature private pools that are set in picturesque gardens.

Set right on the edge of a beautiful sandy beach, the Canne Bianche Lifestyle & Hotel invites luxury lovers to make this establishment their home away from home. While the amenities and decor runs towards the lavish, the atmosphere here is friendly and laidback. There are plenty of places here to unwind in style such as at the huge outdoor pool area, while each guestroom and suite comes complete with a patio or balcony that looks out onto the ocean. Guests can book an hour-long session at the sauna each day, while a wide range of treatments are waiting to be enjoyed in the modern spa, which also features an adjoining fitness centre.

Just around the corner from Cappella Colleoni church, one of the most visited attractions in Bergamo, the GombitHotel sits at the intersection of two ancient Roman roads. The interiors are the work of forward-thinking young artists, crafted using simple materials and pastel hues to foster a sense of freedom and creativity. 15 bedrooms have an airy, urban feel. This is augmented by original features, such as heavily beamed wooden ceilings, adding an element of history to the otherwise contemporary styling. Housed in a stone tower, the alternative boutique hotel has a bar, a library, and a pool.

A boutique hotel housed in a restored 14th-century palace, the H10 Palazzo Galla is steeped in history. Built in a classic Roman style, with modern amenities and elegant decor, the property is within walking distance of the city’s iconic attractions (the Trevi Fountain and Roman Forum are fewer than 500 metres away and can be seen from the rooftop). 43 bedrooms have a vintage flair and are equipped with coffee machines and bathrobes. The best views can be enjoyed from the sunny terrace, but there’s also a bar and lounge area and a restaurant that serves traditional Italian cuisine.

Marking the brand’s first urban resort, Six Senses Rome brings a wellness-focussed approach to a bustling metropolis. Lashings of interior foliage and planting help create a city-centre oasis that belies its super central location, with celebrated landmarks, such as the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Colosseum all within an easy stroll from the hotel door. Once a bank, the 18th-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini has been transformed into a stunning five star hotel that offers guests elegant accommodation, supreme wellness and spa facilities, a rooftop terrace and casual dining restaurant – all enhanced with impeccable service.

The youthful W brand has made its first foray into Italian territory with a Roman property, which opened at the end of 2021. Two historic palazzos a stone’s throw from the Spanish steps were combined to create W’s 162 bedroom flagship hotel in Italy. The outside may represent the country’s heritage, but inside, it’s entirely evocative of modern Italian style. A secret garden, hand-painted mural, the Michelin-starred Sicilian restaurant Ciccio Sultano, an open-air courtyard, a patisserie selling homemade gelato and the Daria Reina fashion store are all part of the concept, with interiors designed by Meyer Davis. A rooftop bar with WET deck and pool makes the bold, funky hotel party central.

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.

Housed in a 17th-century residence and named after Count Goffredo Manfredi – one of Rome’s most influential public figures – Palazzo Manfredi is the ultimate luxury getaway in the heart of the city. This five-star boutique hotel is so close to the world’s most famous amphitheatre that you can practically hear the gladiators of old from within your suite. Not only does the hotel offer spectacular views over Rome’s ancient sites, it is only a two-minute walk from Colosseo Metro Station, making travelling to and from the hotel a breeze. Inside, first-class hospitality, elegance and impeccable service combine and are evident throughout its palatial suites and rooms, bar and restaurant including the Michelin Starred Aroma led by Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio. Check in to the Palazzo Manfredi for a truly unforgettable experience. Palazzo Manifred is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group.

There aren’t many luxury accommodations in the whole of Rome that can top the sheer splendour of this multi-award-winning private townhouse hotel. J.K. Place is situated in the heart of the Eternal City and offers five-star accommodation that is within walking distance of the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and other places of interest. Each of the hotel’s 23 double rooms and seven suites was designed by world-renowned Italian architect, Michele Bonan, and decorated with upscale furniture by some of the best Italian artisans. The J.K. Roma experience is pet-friendly and features all the amenities that one would expect from a world-class hotel.

“Hospitality is an art and Portrait Roma has made it a masterpiece.” This is the level of excellence that Portrait Roma has been delivering for years as one of the Eternal City’s most stylish five-star establishments. Another of Michele Bonan striking designs, Portrait Roma epitomises luxury and elegance and is just a short walk from the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. The hotel is also one of only 10 in Italy, and 26 in the whole of Europe, to have been awarded a coveted five-star rating in Forbes Travel Guide. Breakfast and dining can be enjoyed on the rooftop terrace or for a more private occasion opt for white-linen room service. And to ensure guests make the most of their visit, a lifestyle assistant is on hand to tailor experiences and itineraies; from booking restaurants, experiences and activities to coordinating your private mini-bar they are on hand to help.