Best Luxury Hotels in Italy

Surrounded by olive groves and beside the Salento Sea, Masseria Muzza boasts a beautiful countryside location. Decorated in classic Puglian style, 40 bedrooms and suites have a cool vibe, with much use of local stone and neutral tones. Some come with a futon in addition to beds and a private patio, and with a maximum occupancy of five per room. The hotel has three restaurants (Le Site, Mirto and La Limonaia), a spa, kids’ club, indoor and outdoor pools and a chic pool bar. Close to Otranto, there are many excursions to be enjoyed from here, like coastal kayaking, gourmet tours, sailboat trips, e-bike rides and horse treks.

Dating back to 1870, this palatial establishment has been completely remodelled to ensure plush, contemporary luxury within. Bedrooms come with Simmons pillow-top mattresses, anti-allergy pillows, 100% cotton and linen towels, free drinks in the minibar, bathrobes and slippers as standard, while high-end suites have French beds, large baths and terraces. Les Petite Madeleines is the Turin Palace’s glamorous restaurant and there’s an intimate spa area with hydrotherapy, a sensory shower, Kneipp Course, Turkish baths, a whirlpool and treatment rooms. Due to its centrality, this is a great choice if you want to experience the city on foot, without the need for public transport.

Another from the international NH brand, this property is found in the Quadrilatero Romano neighbourhood, surrounded by restaurants and bars. Torino Santo Stefano exudes rustic chic, blending style and comfort. 134 minimal, elegant bedrooms have wooden flooring, satellite TV, high-quality toiletries, soundproofing and minibars. The restaurant specialises in traditional Piedmont dishes, with an alfresco inner courtyard and a lounge bar, serving local wines. It’s an eco-conscious choice too, with stellar environmental certification and provides epic views from higher floors.

This used to be a Fiat factory – the car testing area that once featured in The Italian Job is now a jogging track – but the warehouse building has since been reimagined as a trendy hotel. In the Lingotto district, the NH branded property is right beside an entertainment complex and a short ride via metro to Turin’s centre. 240 modern rooms with high ceilings and workspaces are light and bright. Some have Alpine views and others come with kids’ toys. Pets are welcome too. The Turtle bar, Torpedo restaurant and tropical garden are the hotel’s food and drink outlets and those staying have free access to the Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli gallery.

Located in Turin’s downtown, close to museums and points of interest, this five-star hotel dates back to 1937, an era mirrored in the property’s decor. The public rooms are ostentatious – a Salon Delle Feste and ballroom displaying huge chandeliers made with Murano glass and original mosaics. A blissful basement spa is, by contrast, modern in style and there’s a bar and Italian restaurant above ground. Some of the Principi di Piemonte’s bedrooms provide mountain views and interconnecting spaces for the whole family, while all are soundproofed with blackout drapes to cocoon guests from the city outside.

Those seeking more of an escape can stay a little further from the city, in this historic boutique property between Cinque Terre and the Ligurian Gulf of Poets. Back in the 17th century, the Grand Hotel Portovenere served as the Convent of San Francesco. Many of its original features have been preserved, with a creative, informal and elegant refurbishment bringing it into modern times. Looking out onto the marina and Porto Venere, the Grand Hotel’s Palmaria Restaurant has a stunning verandah for a sun-soaked lunch or candlelit dinner with top-notch service.

Featuring natural hot springs, Bagni Di Pisa is the resort for a sumptuous spa break in this part of Italy. Not only this but guests are afforded views of the city’s main attraction and world wonder (the healthy eating restaurant has some of the best views in the building). The former home of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, the hotel has original frescoed ceilings and its 52 rooms are classically decorated, using traditional royal colours. Offering medi-spa and relaxing treatments, it also hosts holistic fitness classes and has a second alfresco restaurant named after Lord Byron.

Located one street further back from the waterfront than the Grand Hotel, Principe Forte Dei Marmi provides guests with free bicycle hire to explore the party district of Forte Dei Marmi. The hotel itself is a sanctuary, however, perfect for dipping in and out of the fashionable local bars with live DJ sets. It’s a large, gated property incorporating a serene spa with a hammam, cold lavender mist shower, Russian banya, cold mint storm and an indoor pool (in addition to the outdoor pool with comfy loungers). Italian designers have worked their chic magic with the 28 rooms and there are several sophisticated dining options, plus a sought-after rooftop bar – one of the most exclusive spots in the area.

Boasting two Michelin stars, The Piccolo Principe is this establishment’s destination restaurant and sits opposite the seafront. There’s a further dining room, Maitò Viareggio, on the top floor. Both exude five-star elegance and tables are in demand. Located on Pisa’s edge, on the coastal road, guests can combine a historic city trip and a lido break in one (those staying can use the exclusive Teresita Beach club with hotel service). Rooms and suites are neutral and simple, yet plush and deeply refined. The spa includes a Thermarium, Kneipp water-treading pool and Blue Sun tanning shower. The Grand Hotel Principe Di Piemonte also accepts feline/canine guests.

Stay in Bologna’s oldest hotel, just yards from the historic centre. Housed in a Palazzo created by architect Alfonso Torregiani in the 18th century, its build was ordered by a Cardinal who went on to become Pope. Inside are 109 bedrooms, reflecting the property’s past, in antique furnishings and an opulent Regency style of decor. The restaurant serves traditional Northern Italian cuisine with wines from the Grand Hotel Majestic’s own huge cellar and features original frescoes. Guests also have access to a terrace bar, a cocktail lounge with piano music and a spa.

Named after the piazza in which it’s found, Palazzo Dipinto was once a 13th-century palace. Now it is an elegant design hotel. Bedrooms feature Italian made wooden parquet flooring, stylish furnishings in muted tones and spacious bathrooms. There isn’t a restaurant in-house, but there is a bar (in which breakfast is served), an inner courtyard and room service. And, bringing all of the senses into the experience, the hotel has its own scent, chosen in partnership with Acqua dell Elba, so guests staying at the boutique property, are welcomed with a delightful aroma, as well as a smile.

Offering superb views over Saint Martino’s Cathedral and many of the city’s monuments, the Grand Universe Lucca is a fusion of old and new. Its wall foundations date back to Roman times and there are the remnants of an ancient glassblower’s fountain in the cellar. But in terms of interior design, there’s plenty of contemporary flair, with luxe features such as modern glass chandeliers. Legacy Bistro Wine Bar is the hotel’s restaurant, while the Symphony Lounge pays subtle homage to Lucca’s musical connections. There’s also a stunning rooftop bar, Sommita, with wonderful views over the old town and Piazza del Giglio. And you can book a horse and carriage ride with canapes and aperitifs.