Best Historical Hotels in Italy

The Palace Suite, Trieste is a luxurious hotel situated between two of Trieste’s main pedestrian streets lined with high-end shops and authentic cafés and restaurants, via Dante and via San Nicolò. The hotel is housed in a carefully restored historical building and is now comprised of 16 sophisticated suites, including the spacious, two-level Family Suite with two balconies overlooking the city, a spa bath and a hydromassage shower. Guests are welcome to indulge in fine dining at the delightful Cafè Continentale with its seasonal offerings and outdoor terrace permitting an alfresco dining experience. The Palace Suite is home to two stunning event spaces with state-of-the-art business amenities and unbeatable catering options. The sea is just a short walk from the hotel so you can enjoy a serene seaside escape full of Italian charm.

Originally opened in 1911, the Savoia Excelsior Palace, Trieste of today offers a luxurious getaway to travellers from all over the world. This historic hotel boasts an idyllic seafront location and offers guests spectacular views over the Gulf of Trieste. The hotel is comprised of a collection of lavish guestrooms and suites with some featuring private sea-view balconies, including the exquisite Presidential Suite Balcony Sea-View. Guests can opt to dine in The Savoy Restaurant where seafood is the speciality or unwind with a cocktail in hand in the Le Rive Lounge Bar. The hotel offers a selection of craft experiences for those looking to try something new, such as flower arranging and jewellery making. There are also 9 meeting and event spaces in the hotel, perfect for hosting business events and celebrations in style.

The Grand Hotel Duchi d’Aosta is a 5-star boutique hotel in the heart of Trieste, overlooking Trieste’s beautiful sea-view square. The hotel is housed in a stunning building and is comprised of a collection of 37 luxurious rooms and suites as well as 8 private apartments featuring the Master Suite Duplex with Two Bedrooms – Annex. On-site dining is available at Harry’s Restaurant serving haute cuisine with weather-permitting alfresco dining options. Guests can also opt to savour light dishes and carefully crafted beverages in the cosy Harry’s Bar, all throughout the day. There is a range of activities, experiences and events taking place in and around the hotel as well as dedicated hotel staff who are on hand to help you plan the perfect stay. The hotel is situated a short walk from the charming Piazza Unità d’Italia and offers the perfect blend of tranquillity and cosmopolitan living.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Welcome to the cinematic landscapes of Tuscany, where the outskirts of the famed medieval town of Montepulciano hold a hidden gem – the Poggio Alla Sala estate. This enchanting retreat offers a timeless escape well-suited for families and couples seeking a peaceful, rejuvenating getaway. Surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves and farmhouses, this enchanting retreat captivates guests with its natural beauty, exotic cuisine, wonderful wines and mystical ambience.

Each room at Villa Igiea is completely unique. Olga Polizzi – in collaboration with Paolo Moschino – designed the bedrooms and suites to create a serene feel that echoes the island’s own vibes. Classical meets contemporary, with feature lighting, tall windows and marble bathrooms. Formal dining takes place in Florio Restaurant, housed in an original Louis XVI hall, with views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, with more casual meals hosted in a winter garden room. The cuisine is local, both in terms of recipes and produce. A spa offers multi-sensory healing techniques and the hotel has its own dock, with a Villa boat offering water-based excursions.

Known as Rome’s first luxury hotel, has been in business since 1894 when Swiss hotelier, César Ritz, welcomed the first guests. The hotel epitomises world-class accommodation and is situated in the city centre, overlooking one of the city’s most impressive palazzos Piazza della Repubblica. The hotel is conveniently located next to Termini Train Station, as well as the Baths of Diocletian and offers easy access to many of the city’s major landmarks. Old world grandeur blends effortlessly in a sophisticated and distinctive style to bring a contemporary vibe to this historic address. And it’s not just the interiors and amenities that are detailed and intricate, the level of service and attention provided by highly-trained staff is second to none. Guests can enjoy classic Italian and Roman dishes and cocktails and beverages in a relaxed atmosphere at Lumen, the onsite restaurant. The hotel is pet and child friendly. It is clear to see why The St. Regis Rome is regarded as one of the world’s finest hotels.

Arrive via Aman Venice’s private jetty into the gardens that lead down to the water. Built in the 16th century, this was once the Palazzo Papadopoli, a grand Baroque masterpiece which retains its original frescoes to this day. The decor is Neo-Renaissance and very opulent, its 24 bedrooms balancing this period grandeur with the modern niceties like Bang & Olufsen flatscreen TVs and Nespresso coffee makers (as this was the first building in the city to get electricity, it’s fitting that it should include some cutting-edge gadgets). Aman Venice has a small spa, Arva restaurant, a bar and a library stacked with books, board games and puzzles.

On the island’s north-western coast is the village of Lacco Ameno and the Albergo Della Regina Isabella, which was built on the site of ancient Greco-Roman ruins. As it was opened by the successful movie producer and publisher, Angelo Rizzoli (in 1956), it drew many a film star from the mid century era, including Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The property remains evocative of this time, with a classic charm. It has 128 bedrooms, a hot tub supplied by the island’s thermal springs, four swimming pools, a wellness programme, three exquisite restaurants, a private beach and a dock for those arriving by yacht.