Best Design Hotels in Italy

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.

So named as it’s housed in a perfume factory, Magna Pars L’Hotel à Parfum features olfactory motifs throughout its spaces. As such, each of its 60 subtly decorated suites takes on a floral, fruity, aromatic, woody or resinous theme. Some bedrooms have their own bars, libraries, seating areas with chaise longue, jacuzzi baths and outdoor terraces with sun loungers; all have paintings by up-and-coming Milanese artists. The alfresco dining room has two fireplaces and a state-of-the-art open kitchen. And, when you fancy a beverage, enter the secret door (made from copper, by artists at the Academy of Fine Arts of Brera) to Liquidambar.

Perched over 300 metres above sea level in the quiet elegance of Anacapri—the most authentic and untouched part of the island—Jumeirah Capri Palace offers a refined retreat that captures the spirit of the Italian Dolce Vita. With 72 light-filled rooms and suites, including several inspired by the works of Mirò, Magritte and Warhol, the hotel blends palatial architecture with contemporary flair. A private collection of modern art, known as The White Museum, is displayed throughout the property, further enhancing its cultural appeal. Dining is a standout, featuring L’Olivo, Capri’s only two-Michelin starred restaurant, the stylish rooftop setting of Zuma Capri, and Il Riccio, a renowned seafood restaurant located moments from the Blue Grotto. Guests can also enjoy traditional Neapolitan dishes at a-Ma-Re Capri, with a pizza menu curated by Franco Pepe. The Capri Medical Spa offers tailored wellness programmes and patented treatments, completing the hotel’s commitment to holistic luxury.

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.

A former Dominican monastery, this 15th-century palazzo has been converted into a hotel, with views of the Mediterranean Sea, Mount Etna and its lush gardens. The double Michelin-starred Principe Cerami restaurant, serving exquisite Sicilian menus curated by Etna-born chef Massimo Mantarro, enjoys a romantic setting and is a real highlight of any stay here. Further amenities include a bar and a lounge, a large outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and a spa offering treatments using organic products. The San Domenico Palace is within walking distance from the historic centre.

With a focus on well-being, this spa resort encourages guests to enjoy the surrounding beauty, unwind and practise self-care with a range of innovative treatments. A Personal Spa Assistant guides you through your journey. This may include thalassotherapy and treatments in the Hatma Space area of the Massage Zone, featuring a unique ergonomic bed. There’s a jogging track outside and a pool inside, to keep fit during your stay. The decor at Rosapetra revolves almost entirely around light wood, creating a grounding, rustic-chic atmosphere. The hotel’s Corte del Lampone dining room treats food like an art form and there’s regular entertainment by night.

This Grand Hotel takes its name from the two large palms outside and has served as a private residence in times past. Reminiscent of the art nouveau era (thanks to a 1907 refurbishment by Ernesto Basile), this palatial property dates back to the late 19th century and exudes old-world grandeur. Yet it remains a family-friendly hotel and accepts pets too. 98 bedrooms here have a classical design, but with mod cons including soundproofing and minibars. With a space dedicated to mixology, this is the place to enjoy a cocktail or two, while the Neo-Bistrot provides a truly Sicilian culinary experience and the Ouverture Terrace offers Mediterranean cuisine in romantic surroundings.

art’otel Rome Piazza Sallustio brings a bold, culturally immersive experience to the heart of Rome. Set just steps from the Horti Sallustiani, this contemporary lifestyle hotel comprising 99 stylish rooms, offers guests more than just a stay—it’s a living gallery, with each space enriched by the imaginative works of Signature Artist Pietro Ruffo. His celestial-inspired pieces and Roman iconography feature throughout, creating a striking artistic narrative from lobby to suite.

At the centre of the hotel’s cultural focus is its Art Gallery, which opens with Ruffo’s exhibition Mappare l’Invisibile and forms part of the wider art’beat initiative. This evolving programme brings together visual art, music, fashion, and wellness, offering guests and locals a curated calendar of creative experiences. Culinary artistry also takes centre stage at YEZI, a pan-Asian restaurant led by Executive Chef Werner Seebach and Head Chef Giordano Gianforchetti. With a menu inspired by Asia’s spice routes and a terrace designed by Ruffo himself, YEZI delivers one of the capital’s most imaginative dining experiences.

The Hoxton, Florence has brought the brand’s distinctive blend of contemporary design and community spirit to the heart of Florence’s historic centre. Following the success of The Hoxton, Rome, this much-anticipated opening spans two contrasting buildings – a beautifully preserved 16th-century Renaissance palazzo and a striking modernist structure by renowned architect Andrea Branzi. The result is a seamless fusion of historic grandeur and bold contemporary style, with interiors by AIME Studios, featuring lime-washed walls, original frescoes, and vintage furnishings.

The hotel offers 161 stylish rooms, with palazzo rooms showcasing elegant marble tones and Renaissance motifs, while Branzi-designed rooms embrace vibrant colours and postmodern influences. For a more exclusive stay, The Hoxton, Florence introduces House, a luxurious three-bedroom apartment with a private entrance, fully equipped kitchen, and terrace, complete with a dedicated House Manager.

Guests can enjoy two exciting dining venues: Alassio, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant serving classic Italian comfort food with Ligurian influences, and Enoteca Violetta, a sophisticated wine bar offering an extensive selection of local and international wines. Ideally located for exploring Florence’s cultural landmarks, including the Duomo and Uffizi Gallery, the hotel also embraces local collaborations, showcasing emerging Italian artists in the Hox Gallery and offering curated goods in its Best Of shop. Additional perks include complimentary Sergio Bianchi bicycles and exclusive access to local fitness studios, ensuring a stay that’s as immersive as it is stylish.

Casa Brera, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan, is a sophisticated retreat in the heart of Milan, located in the pedestrian Piazzetta Bossi, near Teatro alla Scala & the vibrant Brera district. Designed by Patricia Urquiola, the hotel is a restoration of a 1950s Rationalist building by Pietro Lingeri, blending Milanese heritage with contemporary flair. Its 101 rooms & 15 suites feature walnut wood, Fior di Pesco marble, & bespoke Poliform furniture, reflecting Milan’s artistic spirit. Dining is led by Michelin-starred Chef Andrea Berton, with Scena for Italian cuisine, Etereo for rooftop views, & Odachi for refined Japanese dining. The hotel’s Living lounge & rooftop pool offer stylish social spaces, while its elegant interiors celebrate Milan’s design, art, & fashion legacy.

Spring 2022 saw the re-awakening of the fabled Castle Elvira in Puglia. Reimagined as a new designer hotel spread over four levels, the launch was three years in the making. This followed what has been an extensive period of abandonment, beginning not long after the castle’s construction in the late 1800s. Now its original detailing has been beautifully restored, including a cinema and rooftop bar, accompanied by eclectic furnishings and the latest tech. The result is a luxe, artistically-minded environment, the backdrop for Castle Elvira’s one-of-a-kind experiences.

Since its launch in 2008, the five-star Argentario Golf Resort & Spa has quickly established a first-rate reputation for its unique blend of sporting excellence and picturesque setting. Located near the charming coastal town of Porto Ercole, amongst the exquisite beauty of Southern Tuscany’s famous rolling hills, the resort is a haven of tranquility within easy reach of major cities including Rome, Pisa and Florence. Guests can enjoy a range of activities, in addition to the stunning golf course the resort boasts outstanding indoor and outdoor sporting facilities for all the family. Pristine paddle tennis and tennis courts, as well as a five-a-side football pitch and an extensive network of running trails along with a high-tech gym. Or for something more relaxing guests can unwind in the tranquility of the Espace Wellness Centre. There is a selection of dining experiences at the resort, for something special try out the superb Dama Dama restaurant which offers an exciting and contemporary tasting menu featuring the flavors and colors of Tuscany. Or for something more casual head to the Club House which offers a range of lighter menu options and post dinner visit the bar, where a range of refreshing drinks awaits.