Best Luxury Hotels in Italy

With a view across to the lovely village of Bellagio, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is one of the most imposing hotels in the heart of Lake Como. Set in lush gardens with the Grigne Mountains as the backdrop, the lovely art nouveau hotel offers luxury accommodation in rooms and suites including a number of historic suites with facilities such as access to private garden areas, and also rooftop suites for spectacular views. Guests can dine in excellent gourmet restaurants (once patronised by Greta Garbo), enjoy treatments in a luxury spa, and swim in various lovely pools and from the lake’s only private beach.

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.

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.

Spanning 1700 acres of the Serchio Valley and set into the hillside, the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort overlooks the town itself. An outdoor pool terrace with loungers provides spectacular views, while inside, there’s a further pool as part of the wellness area. The building is a pretty, pink, traditional style villa with shuttered windows. Interiors and 180 bedrooms are decorated in a warming contemporary Italian design, using plush fabrics and earthy colours. Meals can be taken al fresco on the sun-soaked terrace of La Veranda, with regular theme nights offered and drinks can be enjoyed in the Nour Lounge.

Armani Hotel Milano is a 5-star escape and embodies the Milanese essence of sophistication and style. There are plenty of options when it comes to the spacious guestrooms and suites including private balconies and terraces and featuring the exclusive Armani Presidential Two-Bedroom Suite with its rooftop terrace and spectacular skyline views. Exquisite dishes are on offer at the incredible Armani/Ristorante and Armani/Bamboo Bar with its unique Alchemy of Flavours menu – designed to take guests on an unforgettable gastronomic journey. Serenity is achievable in this vibrant city thanks to the Armani/Spa and its sensational treatments. There is also a high-tech gym which is open 24 hours a day. Armani Hotel Milano prides itself on elegant event spaces for hosting anything from a business meeting to a private wedding celebration.

The Grand Hotel Duchi d’Aosta is a 5-star boutique hotel in the heart of Trieste, overlooking Trieste’s beautiful sea-view square. The hotel is housed in a stunning building and is comprised of a collection of 37 luxurious rooms and suites as well as 8 private apartments featuring the Master Suite Duplex with Two Bedrooms – Annex. On-site dining is available at Harry’s Restaurant serving haute cuisine with weather-permitting alfresco dining options. Guests can also opt to savour light dishes and carefully crafted beverages in the cosy Harry’s Bar, all throughout the day. There is a range of activities, experiences and events taking place in and around the hotel as well as dedicated hotel staff who are on hand to help you plan the perfect stay. The hotel is situated a short walk from the charming Piazza Unità d’Italia and offers the perfect blend of tranquillity and cosmopolitan living.

Located in the coastline town of Lezzeno, Filario Hotel has a modern aesthetic but a traditional sense of hospitality. Each room and suite has cosy balcony overlooking the lake and has an earthy, natural décor to connect with the surroundings while still being fitted with the best mod cons expected of a top-class hotel. The Filo restaurant takes you on a journey of traditional Italian food in a romantic setting and you can work off the excesses in the fitness room, a bicycle tour around the lake and mountains, or order en-suite massages and spa treatments.

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.

Those preferring a greener setting can book a stay at the Relais San Vigilio. Found in a provincial park, it houses nine bedrooms with minibars and soundproofing for an extra peaceful night’s sleep. A large outdoor terrace looks down across the city and the hotel’s manicured gardens, a delightful spot to enjoy a sundowner after a day’s sightseeing – there’s also a funky modern bar. Rooms are soothing and simple, making use of the building’s existing materials, revealing original stonework, brick, wood and curved ceilings. There’s a restaurant and snack bar, as well as a cosy fireside seating area in reception.

A former noble’s residence, this five-century old villa is now a romantic hotel close to the village of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. The country estate encompasses forestry, gardens and a waterfall. Rooms evoke the building’s heritage, with oil paintings, ornate wooden four-poster beds, antique furnishings, heavy drapes, chandeliers and a Regency colour scheme. And in addition to the main villa, there’s a farmhouse containing three apartments — for those wanting a little more private space. Its location provides plenty of opportunities to explore the native parkland and take a dip in the seasonal outdoor pool. Warm Italian hospitality and delicious home baking await the guests at Villa Bertagni.

Located in a stunning sixteen-century villa, this vibrant and well-maintained hotel is the perfect place for visitors to stay. While the main attractions of Verona can be reached in just twenty minutes, guests are treated to plenty of privacy and luxury that is difficult to find in the heart of the city. The whole hotel is set with nearly two hundred pieces of contemporary artwork, which will give guests plenty to admire as they unwind in style. Guestrooms are just as colourful and quirky as the rest of the hotel and feature interesting touches such as the jukeboxes and bright red moulded bakelite lamps. Strolling through the opulent grounds is an enchanting experience, while guests are also treated to an excellent range of amenities such as a large outdoor swimming pool, a spa and a selection of restaurants.

Converted and extended from a 19th-century villa, Villa Flori is a luxury 4-star hotel standing between Como and Cernobbio. As well as a selection of rooms and suites, it offers the spectacular Gran Lago Suite right on the waterfront complete with wraparound terrace and lush gardens that offer almost complete privacy. Hotel guests can dine in the sophisticated elegance of the Raimondo restaurant complete with terrace or relax in the lounge bar or wind down in the mini spa which also offer Technogym machines for a bit of a workout.