Best Luxury Hotels in Italy

This stunning resort originally dates back to the 10th century, when it was an ancient monastery located in the beautiful countryside in the Chianti region, ideally placed for visiting the Chianti Classico area and to easily accessing the beautiful cities of Siena, Florence and Arezzo, as well as the most famous villages in the heart of Tuscany. Rooms and suites at the resort are all designed with traditional Tuscan décor and offer a stylish but rustic feel and guests can opt for a countryside or courtyard view. A Jacuzzi and private garden suite is also available, ideal for special occasions. The resort has two swimming pools, so in the height of summer guests can enjoy the outdoor pool with a waterfall and sun terrace and in the winter months guests can make use of the heated indoor pool with sweeping views of the countryside. A fitness centre sauna, Turkish bath, tennis court and billiard room are activities guests can enjoy onsite whilst there are a great number of exciting hiking and mountain biking trails to explore in the local area. There is a choice of restaurants for different dining occasions including Il Pievano which is situated in the castle’s historic hall and for a romantic dinner candlelit dinners are served out in the courtyard. Each year The Wine Cellar creates six exclusive wine labels using the grapes grown in the vineyard on the surrounding hills. Guests can arrange wine tasting experiences can be arranged for guests and many of these wines can be ordered at Il Pievano Restaurant.

This enchanting hotel commands an impressive position on a hilltop in Ravello and guests are treated to stunning views across the Bay of Salerno. This magnificent building was established in the 11th century palazzo and offers guests a romantic atmosphere complete with traditional Italian décor and plenty of charm. The hotel pool with its infinity edge is world class, while guests are also treated to a number of excellent bars and restaurants to choose from, a luxurious spa and fifty different spacious rooms and suites, while walking along the coast as the sun slowly sinks behind the horizon is a popular activity among couples. This family run hotel takes pride in providing guests with personal touches to help make their stay truly special.

Locanda le Piazze, crafted by Natacha Fazal-Karim and cherished by guests for over a decade, is a luxurious boutique hotel housed in a 16th-century farmhouse in the heart of Tuscany, offering an eco-conscious sanctuary. Surrounded by lush olive groves and vineyards, guests from all over the world are invited to stay in one of 20 elegantly appointed guestrooms and experience a world of serenity and sophistication. Traditional character and charm meet modern design with every contemporary comfort on hand to make each stay seamless. The hotel boasts beautiful outdoor areas including a swimming pool offering panoramic views and gazebos for relaxing in the shade. Guests’ wellbeing and sustainability are the priority in the full service AnaiSpa and there’s a fitness centre for keeping fit on the go. On-site, farm-to-table dining is on offer with fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced as part of Locanda Le Piazze’s commitment to sustainability.

Another establishment in the area of Anacapri, with its artisan shops and chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro, the hotel is steeped in history. First noted in 1850 as a private villa, it became an inn that served workers constructing the Capri-Anacapri road in the 1870s, and then a twentieth-century refuge for a Russian exile who added art and culture. Sold around the time of the Second World War to the family of the present owners, it is now a renowned five-star resort. Rooms retain a mix of antique and modern, but with state-of-the-art amenities. Facilities on-site include a fitness centre, spa, infinity swimming pool, entertainment and a shuttle service (a local bus service also passes by), with wine-tastings and cookery classes that have to be experienced! Guests can absorb the breath-taking views from the terrace and bar, or from the restaurant, which has its own kitchen-garden.

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.

Just around the corner from Cappella Colleoni church, one of the most visited attractions in Bergamo, the GombitHotel sits at the intersection of two ancient Roman roads. The interiors are the work of forward-thinking young artists, crafted using simple materials and pastel hues to foster a sense of freedom and creativity. 15 bedrooms have an airy, urban feel. This is augmented by original features, such as heavily beamed wooden ceilings, adding an element of history to the otherwise contemporary styling. Housed in a stone tower, the alternative boutique hotel has a bar, a library, and a pool.

Those seeking more of an escape can stay a little further from the city, in this historic boutique property between Cinque Terre and the Ligurian Gulf of Poets. Back in the 17th century, the Grand Hotel Portovenere served as the Convent of San Francesco. Many of its original features have been preserved, with a creative, informal and elegant refurbishment bringing it into modern times. Looking out onto the marina and Porto Venere, the Grand Hotel’s Palmaria Restaurant has a stunning verandah for a sun-soaked lunch or candlelit dinner with top-notch service.

Surrounded by olive groves and beside the Salento Sea, Masseria Muzza boasts a beautiful countryside location. Decorated in classic Puglian style, 40 bedrooms and suites have a cool vibe, with much use of local stone and neutral tones. Some come with a futon in addition to beds and a private patio, and with a maximum occupancy of five per room. The hotel has three restaurants (Le Site, Mirto and La Limonaia), a spa, kids’ club, indoor and outdoor pools and a chic pool bar. Close to Otranto, there are many excursions to be enjoyed from here, like coastal kayaking, gourmet tours, sailboat trips, e-bike rides and horse treks.

Providing guests with stunning views of the bay of Portofino, this refined hotel is set on the lush hills set above the fishing village. There are just sixteen rooms and suites for guests to choose from, which gives the hotel a very exclusive and intimate feel. Guests should make sure that they secure one of the rooms that look out over the village, which come complete with pretty wrought-iron balconies and spacious en suite bathrooms. The hotel really excels when it comes to its amenities and people who want the chance to get fit while having fun are treated to large tennis courts to make use of as well as a pretty outdoor swimming pool. Those who simply want to unwind in style will love the sauna and luxurious spa.

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).

Spring 2022 saw the re-awakening of the fabled Castle Elvira in Puglia. Reimagined as a new designer hotel spread over four levels, the launch was three years in the making. This followed what has been an extensive period of abandonment, beginning not long after the castle’s construction in the late 1800s. Now its original detailing has been beautifully restored, including a cinema and rooftop bar, accompanied by eclectic furnishings and the latest tech. The result is a luxe, artistically-minded environment, the backdrop for Castle Elvira’s one-of-a-kind experiences.

Belmond Villa San Michele is one of the priciest five-star hotels in Florence located in a serene woody hillside near the village of Fiesole. The hotel is established on a building that was once a Franciscan Monastery. Its currently weathered portico and imposing terrace are said to have been sculpted by the infamous Michelangelo. The peaceful gardens, as well as the massive pool bordered by a lush lawn, are perfect spots to unwind. Being a historical building, the rooms sport vaulted ceilings, bottle glass windows, and some rustic bedsteads. The main restaurant is designed with a veranda that offers a magnificent view of the city. The menu consists mainly of Tuscan dishes prepared by competent chefs.