Best Luxury Hotels in Italy

Ten minutes walk from the quieter town of Anacapri on the slopes of Monte Solaro, this boutique hotel is convenient for visiting the Blue Grotto or even Villa San Michele, the botanical Gardens of Augustus, Marina Grande and Marina Piccola, or for hiking off the beaten track. Rooms offer all amenities, and a shuttle service will take guests wherever they want to go. The poolside restaurant opens for lunches, with a bar and room service available for later, and a Roof Top Terrace for spectacular views and special occasions. A spa and gym for just two adds to the intimate feel of this jewel.

For sounds of the sea, a high-end shopping spree and the ultimate in luxury relaxation this five-star establishment is the hotel for you. Located in the centre of Forte dei Marmi just a stone’s throw from the famous shopping boutiques but discreetly tucked away in its own private haven of pine wood tranquillity sits the Grand Hotel Imperiale Forte Dei Marmi. The hotel comprises a selection of rooms and suites and no detail has been overlooked in the luxurious exclusive rooms and superior suites; pastel colours, natural fabrics and hints of gold exude an elegant and intimate ambience. Guests can enjoy the use of the beautiful private beach, swimming pool, spa, sauna, Turkish bath and fitness centre along with the nearby boutique shopping experience. For guests with children, there is a Kid’s Club, with a highly-qualified team to look after the little ones. Dining options include three different concept restaurants; fine dining can be enjoyed at the Olivo d’Oro Restaurant, and seafood lovers will enjoy the extensive offering at the Beach Restaurant whilst the Garden Restaurant is ideal for light lunches or simple bites. The hotel has Italian sophistication and style at its best.

Set between Portofino Harbour and the mountains just two hundred metres from the heart of the village, Eight Hotel Portofino features elegant and very comfortable rooms for style lovers to choose from. Each of these rooms boasts beautiful wooden floors and has been decorated in warm and inviting colours. A special shuttle service is provided to the nearby Baia Di Paraggi beach, while guests can also splash around in the onsite swimming pool. This pretty pool comes complete with a sun deck that is set with hammocks and sun loungers, while there is also a Turkish bath and sauna to make use of. Food lovers will want to make sure they sample the Chef’s menu, which includes a whole host of gourmet treats that highlight the best of authentic Italian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood.

Violino d’Oro Venezia is an elegant, inventive, and exquisitely designed boutique hotel set in the heart of the city. This 5-star hotel is the brainchild of the aunt-and-niece team, Sara and Elena Maestrelli, brought to life with the imaginative flair of architects Piera Tempesti Benelli, Riccardo Burigana, and Tiziano Folin. Within close proximity of iconic landmarks such as St Mark’s Basilica, Harry’s Bar, and Rio San Moise, this 32-room boutique hotel is a the perfect base from which to explore Venice. It showcases an impressive art collection that ranges from classical to contemporary, paintings, glass art, and textiles, along with historical tile work and an authentic Venetian seminato floor. Within the hotel, Piccolo Ristorante and Bar, serves traditional and regional dishes tastes, along with cocktails, and guests are always guaranteed a warm welcome.  with cocktails and chicchetti in the elegant comfort reminiscent of a beloved Venetian friend’s home.

Patria Palace is a historic 18th-century palace that has been transformed into a luxurious hotel, combining modern design with its storied past. The hotel, located in nestled in the heart of Baroque Lecce, was originally designed by 18th-century architect Mauro Manieri, and underwent a meticulous four-year renovation, preserving its classic and Baroque features while incorporating contemporary Art Deco details. It operates from March to December, benefiting from Lecce’s mild Mediterranean climate. With its prime location overlooking the Basilica of Santa Croce, the hotel offers 58 artfully designed rooms and suites, a stunning rooftop bar, a gourmet restaurant, and an outdoor lounge. Despite its central location, it provides a serene escape, embodying the ‘slow’ lifestyle of Salento. The Patria Palace has a long history of hospitality, evolving from a noble residence to a welcoming inn and now a five-star hotel, that emphasises quiet luxury and attentive service. Guests can also enjoy activities like guided city tours, food tours, and a shuttle service to a partnered beach club during the summer months.

Guests who choose to stay in one of the nineteen suites set in the large gardens of this luxurious hotel will be treated to plenty of privacy as well as the best that travel has to offer. Each suite is decorated in a unique style and comes complete with a stunning coastal view as well as a huge fireplace, a marble floor and magnificent frescoed ceiling. Lovers of fine dining will want to make sure that they sample a meal or two in the onsite restaurant where a Michelin star chef creates masterpieces in the kitchen, while the swimming pool is set in the large central courtyard and offers pure relaxation.

Combine your beach break with a wellness retreat at the Falkensteiner’s all-new Acquapura SPA, where treatments are based on Hawaiian rituals. This space spans 1,500 square metres including an indoor and outdoor pool, jacuzzi and a hammam. The restaurant has a sea view terrace and wine cellar, there’s a firelit lobby bar and a cigar lounge, as well as a private stretch of beach. Modernist architect Richard Meier worked alongside interior designer Matteo Thun to create a chic property with a vintage Miami vibe; neutral tones are accented with bold colours and floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the outlook.

A boutique stay in a residential area, Meliá Genoa places guests within a short stroll of attractions, yet offers lots of onsite amenities. Its Blue Lounge & Restaurant is a hit with visitors and locals alike, cooking up regional specialities – don’t miss its stone-baked pizza and Genoan focaccia. The lounge area frequently hosts events, plus there’s an excellent range of aperitifs and finger food for those wanting a lighter bite. Meliá’s wellness centre boasts an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, Turkish bath, rain shower and a 24-hour gym, and there’s a relaxation/reading room. Bedrooms have minibars, seating areas and soundproofing.

This 5-star resort has taken pride of place on Marinella Beach in Porto Rotondo, since its inception in 1963. 59 bedrooms and suites are decorated with Sardinian and Mediterranean furnishings, marble from Orosei, Samugheo rugs and picture windows showcasing the stunning outlook. There are three dining options, two of which are in-house; Mediterraneo (serving family-friendly breakfasts and evening meals), Tzia Maria (for lunch and dinner) and the Marinella Beach Restaurant (for which guests receive a credit). The Lobby Bar accompanies drinks with live piano music, the Pool Bar for beverages, snacks and ice cream and the elegant Marinella Lounge Bar. Hotel Abi D’Oru also has an excellent spa and the Bee Happy Kids’ Club.

Situated on the edge of Almalfi, the Santa Caterina Hotel features charming terraces and gardens that lead the way down to the crystal clear waters of the ocean below. While the hotel boasts all of the create comforts and luxurious touches that guests would expect from an establishment of this calibre, there are also plenty of surprises in store. Riding down the cliff in the glass lift is a delight for the senses and serves as a unique introduction to the intense natural beauty that surrounds the hotel, while the pool bar and swimming pool are cut into the cliff face and are ideal places to unwind in style. People who enjoy messing about in the water can also enjoy a magical boat ride along the coast before returning to their hotel in time to enjoy a delicious dinner created from fresh local ingredients.

Found in the Chiaia neighbourhood, De Bonart Naples was originally built in 1870. Chic rooms have crisp white bedding, polished herringbone wood floors, and individual features such as wrought-iron balconies, panelled walls, minimalist four-posters, retro and modern artworks and sea views. Pets and kids are welcome (under 18s are not charged if sharing rooms with adults). And interconnecting and fully accessible bedrooms are available. Dine with gulf views at the glass-walled, rooftop eatery Le Pavillon, at the refined Macphersons, or in the Niq Bar. The hotel also has a boutique and a fitness centre.

Enjoying the dually beautiful location of the small town of Bellagio and Lake Como’s Bay of Pescallo with the Alps in the background, Hotel Belvedere is a charming hotel that has been in the same family for five generations, since 1880. Just a short walk away from the picturesque town centre, this hillside gem is a true retreat complete with swimming pool, jacuzzi, and spa. Luxury rooms and suites, a library, a bar, a restaurant that serves the best of local produce, and immaculate gardens make the Hotel Belvedere an ideal place to enjoy Lake Como.