Best Luxury Hotels in Italy

The Mandarin Oriental Milan is located around five minutes from the city’s iconic Teatro alla Scala opera house, within the Montenapoleone district. The hotel itself spans four different 18th-century buildings, with the combination of Milanese architecture and Oriental decorations giving it a unique appeal. Rooms within the hotel come with large flat-screen televisions and marble bathrooms, while suites include a living room area. Meanwhile, a variety of food options are headlined by Seta; a two Michelin-starred Italian restaurant.

Shaped like a well, Corte San Pietro offers you the very best of traditional Roman architecture with a touch of luxury. Much of the furniture comes from restored objects with Materan cave walls, making up for much of the walls. The hotel has a wide choice of carved rooms, including underground ones. It offers in-room massage, and babysitting and can connect you with leading tour service providers in the area. It has a mouth-watering traditional breakfast with new visitors getting free fruit desserts on arrival.

Founded in 1882, this Grande Dame occupies a spot on the waterfront overlooking the bay and its namesake. It has been visited by many famous guests over the years, including presidents, royalty, literary legends and actors (Keanu Reeves, Alfred Hitchcock, Claudia Schiffer, Giorgio Armani, Grace Kelly and Luciano Pavarotti to name but a few). Amenities here include a spa, a rooftop terrace, and several fine dining restaurants, such as the iconic Caruso Roof Garden Restaurant on the ninth floor. The Grand Hotel Vesuvio has over 200 guest rooms and suites, with some of the most privileged views in town. 

“Hospitality is an art and Portrait Roma has made it a masterpiece.” This is the level of excellence that Portrait Roma has been delivering for years as one of the Eternal City’s most stylish five-star establishments. Another of Michele Bonan striking designs, Portrait Roma epitomises luxury and elegance and is just a short walk from the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. The hotel is also one of only 10 in Italy, and 26 in the whole of Europe, to have been awarded a coveted five-star rating in Forbes Travel Guide. Breakfast and dining can be enjoyed on the rooftop terrace or for a more private occasion opt for white-linen room service. And to ensure guests make the most of their visit, a lifestyle assistant is on hand to tailor experiences and itineraies; from booking restaurants, experiences and activities to coordinating your private mini-bar they are on hand to help.

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).

Marking the brand’s first urban resort, Six Senses Rome brings a wellness-focussed approach to a bustling metropolis. Lashings of interior foliage and planting help create a city-centre oasis that belies its super central location, with celebrated landmarks, such as the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Colosseum all within an easy stroll from the hotel door. Once a bank, the 18th-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini has been transformed into a stunning five star hotel that offers guests elegant accommodation, supreme wellness and spa facilities, a rooftop terrace and casual dining restaurant – all enhanced with impeccable service.

The hottest new hotel to hit Milan’s streets (specifically the desirable and arty Brera quarter), Casa Baglioni is the work of Italian architects Spagnulo & Partners and the latest addition to the Baglioni Collection. It takes inspiration from the Milanese design era of the 1960s and includes a curated selection of art pieces, rotating exhibitions and bespoke furnishings by big hitters in the world of interiors. The property accommodates 30 bedrooms and suites, a common living area, a wine cellar offering private tastings and a restaurant by the Michelin-starred chef Claudio Sadler.

Close to the beach and port, rooms here provide air-conditioning, tiled flooring, mosaic-decorated marble bathrooms, free WiFi, and flat-screen satellite TVs. A spa, hot tub and wellness centre with sauna, Turkish bath and gym, together with a tennis court and outdoor pool, ensure guests’ well-being. The JKitchen Restaurant serves regional cooking with organic produce, catering for special diets, and meals can be eaten on the terrace with its panoramic vistas.

Hotel Lungarno, a part of the high-end Salvatore Ferragamo family, is a must-visit holiday refuge. It is situated right on the Arno River, with its lobby overlooking the medieval Ponte Vecchio Bridge. The hotel was renovated recently and currently features a bold style with nautical furnishings. From the living room, one can catch a glimpse of the water flowing below. Visitors get to enjoy a serene atmosphere created by the blue and white accents on the leather surfaces within the premises. The rooms and suites are furnished with antique furniture and more than 450 pieces of art, including Picasso’s art, Tuscan artisanship, and works from renowned Italian artists. Historic galleries and fancy shopping malls are a stone’s throw away from the hotel. World-class cuisines are served at the Michelin-starred Borgo San Jacopo restaurant located within its vicinity.

Imagine checking into a historic residence during your next visit to Rome, complete with elegant drawing rooms, regal bedrooms, a grand library, and genuine antique furnishings. Villa Spalletti Trivelli has all the bells and whistles to make you feel as though you were a guest at a stately home in the early 20th century, whilst simultaneously providing all the necessary modern amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. This five-star hotel doubles as an urban villa retreat and features a majestic Italian garden and relaxing spa to help guests unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

Adjacent to the Conca Verde Beach on the north coast, La Coluccia offers views across to Spargi island. This was one of Sardinia’s first boutique resorts, in a secluded spot, providing chic accommodation. Accommodation categories range from design rooms overlooking the garden or inner courtyard, through to suites with spacious living areas — many are accessible and cots can be provided. In the restaurant, a team of specialist chefs handcraft items such as bread and pasta and desserts, with food served overlooking the sea, on a terrace over the pool. The spa encompasses a relaxation area with herbal teas, massage cabins and a gym.

Located a short walk away from the Milano Centrale train station, Excelsior Hotel Gallia opened in 1932 and has since been completely renovated with the help of the acclaimed designer Marco Piva. Its rooms all include a flat-screen television, free wi-fi and room-service, while upgrading to a suite will provide guests with a small cooking area, an espresso machine and a butler service. Furthermore, the hotel has its own spa, gym, wine cellar and lounge, as well as a selection of bars and restaurants.