Best Design Hotels in Italy

In a central location with a water taxi stop right outside and a complimentary airport shuttle, this Hyatt hotel is a modern urban-style retreat. It has 119 bedrooms across eight categories, meeting rooms, a fitness centre and a bijou spa incorporating mood showers, a steam room and a sauna. Centric’s restaurant, Osteriva, is a unique highlight; here breakfast and dinner are served in a bioclimatic greenhouse. Or guests can dine overlooking Murano’s Canal Grande, in the Rivalonga Bar + Lounge — the latter takes the form of a peaceful, contemporary garden with frequent live music.

Close to the beach and port, rooms here provide air-conditioning, tiled flooring, mosaic-decorated marble bathrooms, free WiFi, and flat-screen satellite TVs. A spa, hot tub and wellness centre with sauna, Turkish bath and gym, together with a tennis court and outdoor pool, ensure guests’ well-being. The JKitchen Restaurant serves regional cooking with organic produce, catering for special diets, and meals can be eaten on the terrace with its panoramic vistas.

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.

A shrine to Italian modernist icon Gio Ponti, the Parco dei Principi opened in 1962 and retains many of the hotel’s original features. It may be outside the centre of the town, but this allows for true peace and quiet alongside incredible views and space for some fabulous facilities. The hotel boasts a private beach accessed by a tunnel through the cliff rock, an amazing salt water pool, the Gio Ponti restaurant with floor the ceiling windows of the sparkling gulf, a three-hectare botanical (and very romantic) garden featuring many rare plants, plus a lounge bar and high spec gym. Like many properties in the area, the land on which the hotel sits has some cultural and historical importance too as it belonged to the King of Naples, Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, who acquired the land in the 18th century to build a stunning villa for his cousin. The current building designed by Gio Ponti is a stunning example of the architect’s modernist work, a structure rooted in the earth, inspired by the ancient villa and the Sorrento coast. Inside, this inspiration continues through a 1960s-aesthetic mixed with blue and white tones influenced by the local natural beauty. Some may find the extensive cubism and cool colour scheme too minimal, but we think it makes for a very tranquil atmosphere throughout.

Arguably one of the most stylish hotels in the area, we love this boutique hotel for its refreshing, breezy feel, perfect for escaping that Italian heat. Located right above Sorrento’s original fishing port, hanging onto the cliffs, La Minervetta is owned (and designed) by architect Marco de Luca and has the perfect contemporary nautical look for your ideal summer, seaside retreat! Walls are painted white throughout, whilst hand-painted Vietri tiles and colourful, vibrant ceramics and textiles really make the rooms pop. Many of the rooms have huge picture windows offering unrivalled scenes of the Gulf of Naples whilst open-plan public spaces with comfy sofas offer plenty of opportunities to sit back and relax. This hotel truly feels like someone’s (very stylish) seaside home, with the added luxuries of a sun terrace, a bar, a pool and a small whirlpool tub.

Radisson Collection Palazzo Touring Club boasts 89 luxurious rooms and suites in a historical building in Italy’s most fashionable city. It is located a mere 5-minute walk from the iconic Duomo of Milan and within walking distance from the world-famous Milanese Fashion District. An international breakfast is served at this hotel while the expertly-crafted menu at Bistrot Bertarelli 1894 Milano takes diners on a journey through food thanks to the expertise of travel influencer, Marko Morciano, and talented chef, Luca Franz. Guests are also welcome to unwind in the cosy Veloce Milano bar. There is a blissful spa facility for guests to relax and enjoy. This hotel is an ideal venue for hosting sophisticated meetings and events in one of six spaces. Radisson Collection Palazzo Touring Club is also pet friendly.

Armani Hotel Milano is a 5-star escape and embodies the Milanese essence of sophistication and style. There are plenty of options when it comes to the spacious guestrooms and suites including private balconies and terraces and featuring the exclusive Armani Presidential Two-Bedroom Suite with its rooftop terrace and spectacular skyline views. Exquisite dishes are on offer at the incredible Armani/Ristorante and Armani/Bamboo Bar with its unique Alchemy of Flavours menu – designed to take guests on an unforgettable gastronomic journey. Serenity is achievable in this vibrant city thanks to the Armani/Spa and its sensational treatments. There is also a high-tech gym which is open 24 hours a day. Armani Hotel Milano prides itself on elegant event spaces for hosting anything from a business meeting to a private wedding celebration.

Those who want the chance to get back into the swing of things while surrounding themselves with pure luxury are sure to love this boutique resort, which comes complete with its own 18-hole golf course. Guests are treated to more than 4,000 metres of space to explore or for those who like something less strenuous, they can retreat to the serenity of the expansive spa.  The Landscape suites provide guests with stunning views of the beautiful Sicilian beach, while those who opt for a Deluxe or Junior suite will be able to gaze out at the ocean from their private balcony.

ME Milan Il Duca is a unique, contemporary, 5-star escape designed by Aldo Rossi at Porta Garibaldi. The hotel is located in Piazza della Repubblica and close to the iconic Duomo of Milan. There is a range of rooms and suites on offer, including interconnecting options and stunning city views. There are two restaurants serving Italian specialties including the STK Milan Steakhouse. Guests can also enjoy the tranquil Radio Rooftop Bar with its sensational views, sunsets, and cocktail selection. The hotel offers a 24/7 gym facility for guests looking to keep up their fitness regime on the go and is completely pet-friendly. ME Milan Il Duca boasts four sophisticated event spaces, perfect for hosting any function from a business event to a truly unforgettable wedding. The hotel is also part of the MeliáRewards loyalty programme.

Set within the Isola Bella Nature Reserve, this luxurious resort features its very own beach club, meaning that guests will find it very easy to enjoy their time in the sun. The resort underwent a full refurbishment in 2016 and guests are sure to love the modern amenities, which include the award-winning Expire Spa featuring a Turkish bath, Jacuzzi and a selection of skin treatments, the onsite Fusion Restaurant and more than 200 sun loungers set right on the sand. There are just 58 guestrooms and three large suites, which means that guests at La Plage Resort are treated to plenty of privacy and a feeling of intimate decadence that is absent from larger establishments. Taking the cable car down the side of the hill to reach the town centre is an enchanting experience that guests who have a strong sense of adventure will not want to miss.

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.

Hotel Savoy part of the prestigious Rocco Forte Hotels collection is located on the vibrant Piazza della Repubblica, this five-star hotel captures the essence of Florentine elegance. The interior design, led by Olga Polizzi and Laudomia Pucci, beautifully marries contemporary style with the city’s rich artistic heritage, featuring elegant Tuscan materials and custom-made furnishings.

The hotel’s 80 rooms and suites are tastefully decorated, offering comfort and luxury with views of the historic cityscape. Each room combines classic Italian design with modern amenities, such as marble bathrooms, state-of-the-art technology, and luxurious linens. The suites, particularly the Duomo Presidential Suite, provide unparalleled luxury with expansive spaces, private terraces, and unique artwork.

Dining at Hotel Savoy is an exceptional experience. Irene, the hotel’s restaurant, is named after Sir Rocco Forte’s mother and reflects her dedication to authentic, seasonal cuisine. The menu, crafted by renowned chef Fulvio Pierangelini, celebrates the rich culinary traditions of Tuscany, with a modern twist. Guests can enjoy a relaxed meal in the stylish dining room or on the outdoor terrace overlooking the bustling square.

For those seeking relaxation, the hotel offers a luxurious Spa Suite where guests can indulge in a range of treatments using Irene Forte Skincare products, made from organic Sicilian ingredients. The fitness centre, equipped with the latest technology, ensures that guests can maintain their wellness routines while travelling.

Hotel Savoy’s location makes it an ideal base for exploring Florence’s cultural landmarks. The hotel offers a range of bespoke experiences, from private tours of the Uffizi Gallery to exclusive wine tastings in the Tuscan countryside. The attentive concierge team is dedicated to ensuring that every guest’s stay is tailored to their desires, whether they are seeking cultural immersion or simply wish to relax in the lap of luxury.