Best Luxury Hotels in Italy

Over a century old, this elaborate and effortlessly classy villa first belonged to a Cornish native. Found in the seaside suburb of Taormina, it has direct access to a private beach and charming views from the wrought iron balconies. Inside you’ll find Baroque artwork, marble staircases and room scents by Ortigia. There’s a kids club and programme of themed activities for the bambinos, watersports onsite, a spa and a terrace restaurant. Guests also have access to its sister hotel, the Grand Hotel Timeo, in Taormina itself (a free shuttle bus will whisk you there in moments).

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.

Following a major redesign by architect Flaviano Capriotti in 2018, the Faloria Mountain Spa Resort has been reimagined with a palette of neutral colours and the prolific use of local wood and stone. The resulting building harmonises beautifully with the landscape and boasts a huge new spa, providing sensory journeys as well as a semi-Olympic pool covered in blue-green majolica tiles. 48 rooms are spread over three floors, with lashings of light coming through the huge picture windows. Take a seat in the Faloria Restaurant for views of the mountain Croda da Lago on one side and Cortina d’Ampezzo’s Olympic ski jump on the other.

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.

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.

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.

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.