Best Luxury Hotels in Italy

The Gritti Palace dates back to 1475, although didn’t become a hotel until just before the turn of the 20th century. Opening right up onto the Grand Canal, with its own private jetty, the Luxury Collection property has 82 bedrooms. Inside, guests can enjoy the Sisley Paris spa, hammam and hairdressing services, or take cookery classes at the Gritti Epicurean School. Its Club del Doge restaurant serves an award-winning Venetian heritage-themed menu. These dishes are (in part) crafted using vegetables from the hotel’s private garden, which is hidden on an island in the lagoon. The resulting gourmet meals can be taken in the sumptuous dining room, or on the candlelit waterside terrace. And the Gritti Palace’s Riva Lounge – styled to reflect the mid-century design of the Monaco Yacht Club – is one of the most glamorous spots in town for late-night cocktails.

Offering the most spectacular view over Rome from its elevated position on Monte Mario, the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort will exceed your expectations in so many ways. From its Michelin-star dining room, to its luxury palatial spa and resort style pool, through to its 15 acres of lush parkland and world-class art collection the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort offers an elegant refuge away from the hustle and bustle of the city that will satisfy the most discerning of luxury travellers.

At the hotel all rooms are designed with sleeping and living areas and come with a range of stylish features like their indulgent marble bathrooms and spacious balconies for an al fresco breakfast or evening aperitifs. For all-out luxury choose a room on the Imperial floor which includes access to their club lounge and for over the top luxury choose the Planetarium suite which includes masterpieces throughout and a vast private roof terrace and jacuzzi.

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.

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.

Conceived and brought to life by entrepreneur Ian Schrager and executed by the Statuto Group, the Rome EDITION hotel redefines luxury in the Eternal City. Boasting 91 intimate rooms and situated near Via Veneto, one of Rome’s most coveted streets, the hotel combines sophistication, meticulous attention to detail, refined aesthetics, and high design to create a meeting place for both locals and travellers. Housed in a magnificent building from the 1940s, the hotel retains its original features, including stunning courtyards, statues, and lamps. The Rome EDITION offers three unique bars, a rooftop lounge with a pool, a show-kitchen restaurant led by renowned Roman Chef Paola Colucci, and an urban wellness space. Chef Colucci, known for her emotional approach to cooking, presents a menu of traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist at the signature restaurant, Anima. The hotel’s expansive garden serves as both a piazza and a dining space, surrounded by lush greenery and featuring a relaxed all-day terrace. The Lobby, with its grand ceilings and travertine floors, sets the social tone, while the Punch Room and Jade Bar provide unique mixology experiences. The seventh-floor rooftop, The Roof, offers panoramic views of Rome and a place to enjoy Chef Colucci’s Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and regional cocktails. The guestrooms showcase EDITION’s signature design elements with an Italian touch, featuring custom furniture, Italian artwork, and luxurious amenities.

Guest staying in the 130 guestrooms and 39 suites of the St Regis all benefit from the brand’s attentive take on butler service, while some also enjoy private terraces with plush furnishings and panoramic views. The building, just a few minute’s stroll from the Piazza San Marco, is over 150 years old and avant-garde both inside and out. Its Italianate garden provides a backdrop in which you can eat, drink, or just relax, away from the tourist throng and features geometric patterning, curlicue topiary, rose planting and pathways. Or you can dine on modern Venetian cuisine in Gio’s Restaurant and sip cocktails in the Arts Bar.

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.

Once the private estate of film director Franco Zeffirelli and having played host to well-heeled visitors such as Elizabeth Taylor, Villa TreVille is no stranger to a bit of glamour. Enjoy total peace and privacy at this stunning estate consisting of four villas, filled with much of Zeffirelli’s collection of art and curiosities with each of the 16 guest suites being uniquely decorated to reflect their namesake cultural icons. Our favourite might be the Aida suite decorated in refreshing blues and whites and featuring delicate Arabic decorations and paintings to bring a subtle exotic flavour to the room, reminiscent of Verdi’s epic opera. The villas are surrounded by verdant gardens with lovely reclusive spots to relax, cooling plunge pools to escape the heat, and private balconies for a romantic view like no other. Meticulous attention to detail is the key here and the resort promises discreet and personalised service, whether you have an Elizabeth Taylor attitude or not. 

Take the helicopter flight from Olbia to arrive at Li Finistreddi’s private heliport in suitably exclusive style. The country retreat overlooks Costa Smeralda and the archipelago of La Maddalena from its hilltop perch. Every room here has main door access, sea views and Frette bed linens, with local materials and handiworks incorporated into the decor. A four-minute shuttle transfer takes guests staying here to the retreat’s private area of Barca Bruciata Beach, or guests can lounge by the pool and visit the spa. Dining takes place at Osteria Gourmet with its glass-fronted veranda overlooking the sea, and dishes crafted using produce from the resort’s own organic kitchen garden.

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.

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.

Il Salviatino is a striking five-star hotel reclaimed from a 15th-century villa located in the hillside of Fiesole. Being situated at a relatively high altitude, it offers a spectacular view of Florence and its undulating landscape. It boasts a museum-like styling with antique paintings and marble fireplaces. This hotel offers an unmatched concierge service. Guests are assigned personal advisors who offer invaluable advice regarding perfect restaurants, sightseeing destinations, and upcoming events. There is a luxurious spa that ideal for the entire family (even kids). Five-star standard cuisines of Mediterranean and Tuscan culture are served in the formal restaurant in this villa. This would be the perfect destination for guests looking for a stately home experience.