Best Luxury Hotels in Italy

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.

Enchanting, eclectic, arty and sophisticated, this hotel makes your city break in the Eternal City, something quite unique. The design features geometric lines, retro patterning, indulgent fabrics and lots of contemporary artwork. There are three dining establishments onsite; the Dandy Cafè, El Porteño Gourmet and Terrazza Flores. Bedrooms and suites are available, with plenty of home comforts. Suites also provide a private living room and kitchenette. Umiltà 36  is just steps from the Trevi Fountain and looks out over the pretty rooftops of Rome on one side, the hotel’s classic courtyard on the other.

Hassler Roma, or Rome’s Stairway to Heaven, as the legendary hotel is popularly known, is located at the top of the Spanish Steps in the heart of Rome and has been serving its clientele for the past 125 years. The hotel overlooks one of the city’s most famous squares, Piazza di Spagna, and offers guests a central, five-star hub for all their adventures in and around Rome. A total of 87 luxe rooms is available with only the best amenities, along with a sauna, fitness centre, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Hassler Roma prides itself in being unpretentious and offering a warm, personal hospitality service.

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.