Best Historical Hotels in Italy

The luxurious 5-star Palazzo Sangiorgio is a first-class, contemporary getaway in the heart of Catania. The hotel building itself is full of history while the modern interior exudes comfort and sophistication. There are 25 guestrooms made up of Superior and Deluxe rooms in addition to 5 suite types. Each of the spacious rooms has been stylishly decorated and is a cosy retreat for travellers. The exquisite on-sire Ristorante Basalto offers nothing but culinary excellence in a truly stunning setting. Guests can indulge in specially crafted, sumptuous Sicilian dishes and authentic local wines while soaking up their surroundings amidst the charm of the island. The rooftop bar serves many purposes and ranges from a lively bar with a DJ to a relaxing solarium area with a mini pool. The fully equipped Magma Harmony Spa is the perfect place to relax and treat yourself to a specialist treatment. Palazzo Sangiorgio is also home to spectacular event spaces for hosting anything from a simple business meeting to a swanky celebration. 

The Excelsior Palace Hotel Apollo is the exclusive 5-star getaway on Portofino Coast and is located 2km from Santa Margherita Ligure. The hotel offers spectacular views of the Bay of Rapallo and the Coast of Portofino. The guestrooms are luxurious and elegantly designed with a choice of spacious rooms and suites including the exquisite Presidential Suite – this accommodation option includes an expansive terrace with a deluxe jacuzzi. Fine dining is on offer at the Restaurant Lord Byron and Restaurant Eden Roc where guests can opt to dine alfresco and enjoy the Mediterranean air. The Yachting Bar is open all year round while the seasonal Sporting Bar also offers ambience and a mixture of tasty tipples. Guests can enjoy the relaxing Beauty & Wellness Club including a range of treatments. Excelsior Palace Hotel Apollo is also the perfect venue for hosting any event from an intimate business event to a grand wedding celebration.

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.

Villa Cora is a luxurious 5-star hotel in Florence, set within a historic 19th-century villa that exudes the charm and sophistication of a bygone era. Perched on the hills overlooking the Boboli Gardens, it offers panoramic views of Florence and a serene retreat from the bustling city. The hotel features 44 rooms and suites, each uniquely decorated with lavish details and period furnishings.

The architecture of Villa Cora reflects a blend of Neo-Classical and Baroque influences, with intricate frescoes, opulent chandeliers, and exquisite marble accents throughout. The interior design harmoniously combines historical elements with modern comforts, providing a timeless elegance that appeals to discerning travellers. The hotel’s lush, Italian-style gardens are an extension of this luxury, offering a peaceful oasis with manicured lawns, towering trees, and colourful flower beds.

One of the highlights of Villa Cora is its expansive outdoor heated swimming pool, set amidst the gardens. This area provides a tranquil space to relax and enjoy the Tuscan sun, with poolside service offering refreshments and light meals. Adjacent to the pool, the hotel’s spa, located in the Moorish Pavilion, offers a variety of treatments and wellness experiences, including a sauna, hammam, and a small gym.

Dining at Villa Cora is an experience in itself. Le Bistrot, the hotel’s signature restaurant, serves a menu inspired by traditional Tuscan and Mediterranean cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Guests can dine al fresco on the terrace, enjoying views of the gardens and the Florentine skyline. The hotel also features the Bar Longhi, known for its elegant atmosphere, rich with antique mirrors, and a selection of fine wines and signature cocktails.

Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi Firenze Hotel is located in the historical centre of Florence and is within easy walking distance to the main cultural attractions, including the Duomo complex, the Piazzale Michelangelo, the Medici Chapel and the San Lorenzo market. The hotel is also just a few minutes’ walk from Santa Maria Novella railway station and a 20-minute drive from Amerigo Vespucci Airport. This boutique hotel comprises 86 guest rooms, including eight suites with The presidential suite boasting a panoramic terrace with breath-taking views over the city´s skyline. Originally made up of two historical buildings belonging to two aristocratic Florentine families – the Gaddis and the Arrighettis, Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi showcases its noble past with unique historical and artistic treasures, such as frescoed rooms, artist’s paintings and art objects, many dating back to the 16th century. Guests can enjoy a range of culinary experiences including Tuscan and Italian fine dining at Terrae, a cosy meal at The Secret Garden, cocktails, snacks and sunsets at Aria Rooftop bar and pre-dinner drinks or cheese and wine at the Milton Bar. The hotel also offers a range of experiences to the guests, from the romantic dining delight dinner by candlelight in a frescoed ballroom, to a cooking class with Chef Iside de Cesare, a Michelin-starred chef (who also leads the restaurant offering at the hotel) to discover the art of homemade pasta or an unforgettable Tuscan meal in the private winery of the hotel.

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.

Hassler Roma, or Rome’s Stairway to Heaven, as the legendary hotel is popularly known, is located at the top of the Spanish Steps in the heart of Rome and has been serving its clientele for the past 125 years. The hotel overlooks one of the city’s most famous squares, Piazza di Spagna, and offers guests a central, five-star hub for all their adventures in and around Rome. A total of 87 luxe rooms is available with only the best amenities, along with a sauna, fitness centre, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Hassler Roma prides itself in being unpretentious and offering a warm, personal hospitality service.

This five-star establishment was built in the Art Nouveau era. Recently renovated, it has 170 rooms in total and is a member of the international Radisson chain. Guests with experience of the brand will experience a degree of familiarity in terms of the sophisticated, modern furnishings and dependable service. However, the Grand Hotel Savoia has its own personality, with a distinctly Italian flair. This is particularly evident in its three restaurants: Ristorante Savoy, 1224 Bar Lounge and 1224 Terrazza, as well as a cigar lounge. Illustrious past patrons have included Charlton Heston, Sophia Loren, Winston Churchill, Leo Tolstoy and Franklin D Roosevelt.

Experience La Dolce Vita in the Eternal City. The new Ambasciatori Palace is InterContinental’s latest lifestyle resort, a grand, early 20th-century building once used to house visiting ambassadors. Found on Via Veneto, it exudes elevated Italian elegance, along with international influences, such as its Scarpetta NYC restaurant. Charlies’ rooftop is the place to hang out long into the night, with live music, DJ sets and mixology along with epic views, plus there’s the Anite Lounge & Bar in the lobby. With accessible rooms, a nanny service, notary services and fitness trainers onsite, this hotel tends to your every need.

Set in the historic centre along a cobblestone lane, La Bandita is a 12-bedroom residence owned by ex Sony Music mogul John Voigtmann. A rambling 15th-century palazzo (home to nuns for over five centuries), the townhouse has exposed walls and original features, melded with industrial touches. Its Caffe restaurant and bar enables diners to interact with the chef as meals are prepared using the freshest Tuscan ingredients. And there’s a covered outdoor area for drinks, inside the hotel’s walled medieval garden. La Bandita also has a library lounge with a collection of vinyl, an honesty bar and a relaxation area with a Turkish bath.

Named Best Luxury Destination Hotel by the World Luxury Awards in 2022, this Grande Dame is set in a turn-of-the-20th-century building with views of the Gulf of Tigullio. 80 bedrooms and suites have features such as picture windows, wrought-iron balconies and jacuzzi baths. The Erre Spa offers multisensory wellness paths, with treatments using Esthederm and 5 monde products. And guests can experience Ligurian cuisine in the romantic Le Cupole Restaurant on the rooftop and at La Veranda Bistrot, while drinks are served at the Vie della Seta Bar and at the poolside bar.

Take a romantic break away in Sir Rocco Forte’s 18th-century palazzo. Allowing guests to immerse in classical Roman culture, the hotel also introduces elements of contemporary Roman life. Start the day with breakfast under a parasol at the Mosaico courtyard and take lunch on the rooftop at Cielo. Da Sistina is a fine dining establishment, with elegant period features and you can complete your evening at Fulvio Pierangelini, the lively rooftop bar. Hotel de la Ville offers two categories of suites and a Sicilian-inspired spa. Conde Nast named this their readers’ third most popular hotel in the city, at their 2022 awards.