Best Luxury Hotels in Italy

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.

Located in the very heart of Lecce, The Fiermontina Urban Resort in Lecce provides guests with a large outdoor swimming pool that is set in a pretty garden. An Italian-style breakfast is served each morning, while food lovers can enjoy a range of dishes that are created by the onsite restaurant and served on the large outdoor terrace. The Duplex Suite provides an impressive 35 square metres of space and features a large patio area to unwind on as well as a modern bathtub and a wide range of other modern conveniences.

A short Vaporetto ride from the mainland (this hotel has its own private 4-berth pier on the lagoon), NH Collection Venezia Murano Villa provides super views from both of its terraces. Here you can enjoy a glass of wine or a full gourmet meal. But you can also dine indoors, in the modern urban style restaurant with its live cooking station. The hotel has a 24-hour gym, small spa and 104 airy modern bedrooms, all with Sleep Better Mattresses and coffee machines. NH Collection Venezia Murano Villa welcomes families (including your cats and dogs).

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.

A Michelin-starred restaurant and freshwater infinity pool set right on the lake are just two standout features of this luxury hotel in the village of Torno. Offering luxury accommodation (suites only) decorated by a Wallpaper Magazine Designer of The Year, Il Sereno has Lake Como lapping at its foundations. Panoramic views are complemented by high style and classic Italian design and guests can enjoy excellent facilities including a spa (in the original century-old boathouse) with sauna and steam room, beautifully kept gardens, on-site cooking lessons, and fishing.

Set right on the edge of a beautiful sandy beach, the Canne Bianche Lifestyle & Hotel invites luxury lovers to make this establishment their home away from home. While the amenities and decor runs towards the lavish, the atmosphere here is friendly and laidback. There are plenty of places here to unwind in style such as at the huge outdoor pool area, while each guestroom and suite comes complete with a patio or balcony that looks out onto the ocean. Guests can book an hour-long session at the sauna each day, while a wide range of treatments are waiting to be enjoyed in the modern spa, which also features an adjoining fitness centre.

Four Seasons gives travellers a chance to experience the magic of some of the oldest yet most fascinating cities in the world. It is located in the northern stretch, right at the nexus between the Old Florence suburbs of the nineteenth century and those of the twentieth century. While sitting in the vast tranquil garden, you get to enjoy a panoramic view of numerous historic buildings in Florence. As you step into the stucco-decorated lobby, you are welcomed into a modern and upscale abode furnished with extravagant silk, velvet, marble, and antique décor. The suites are elegantly decorated in Renaissance style. Other luxurious amenities offered here include a state-of-the-art spa with 10 treatment rooms, a pool, steam room and fitness centre for health enthusiasts. For a taste of some of the world’s best cuisines, you can visit the Michelin-starred Il Palagio found within the premise.

Enjoying its status as the only 5-star hotel in Bellagio, Villa Serbelloni has been owned and run by the Bucher family since 1918. One of the oldest and most elegant hotels in this area of Lake Como, this hotel offers 95 air-conditioned rooms and suites decorated in classic and antique Italian styles with all mod cons including flat-screen TVs. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool with large sunbathing area, a spa with sauna and steam room, a fitness room, and beach facilities. A choice of restaurants and bars, a jazz trio performance each night, and white-gloved service means a pleasurable stay in luxurious surroundings.

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.

This luxurious hotel makes full use of its historical architecture will provide guests with a wide range of lavish amenities and facilities. The emphasis here is on pure relaxation and there are plenty of different areas where guests are invited to simply unwind such as in the solarium and the well-stocked reading room. The large Spanish garden is set with orange groves and olive trees and is a pretty place to take a stroll and work up an appetite before heading to the terrace to indulge in a delicious meal at the Michelin-starred onsite restaurant.

Located in the historic centre of Modena, Hotel Rua Frati 48 is housed in a Renaissance-era building. The boutique hotel has brought contemporary furnishings and technology into the property, while sympathising beautifully with the existing period features. Most are relatively simply (yet luxuriously) decorated, with the exception of the opulent Presidential Suite, where frescoed ceilings, heavy drapes, gilt antiques and a marble fireplace are the norm. A notable change to its original state, is the wellness area, which comprises a small gym, a Turkish bath, a sauna and massage and beauty rooms. Pay a visit to the restaurant and bar for a refined Modenese menu.

Art lovers who have a taste for the finer things in life are sure to enjoy staying at the luxurious yet understated Grand Hotel Des Arts. The Piazza Bra is just a five-minute stroll away and wandering through this charming neighbourhood is an uplifting experience. Guests are treated to their choice of tea, coffee and cakes each day and the staff are always on hand to go the extra mile to make them feel special. Guests can take their pick from rooms that overlook the pretty garden or the Corso Porta Nuova and dining in the hotel’s courtyard is a real treat.