Best Resort Hotels in Italy

Following a major redesign by architect Flaviano Capriotti in 2018, the Faloria Mountain Spa Resort has been reimagined with a palette of neutral colours and the prolific use of local wood and stone. The resulting building harmonises beautifully with the landscape and boasts a huge new spa, providing sensory journeys as well as a semi-Olympic pool covered in blue-green majolica tiles. 48 rooms are spread over three floors, with lashings of light coming through the huge picture windows. Take a seat in the Faloria Restaurant for views of the mountain Croda da Lago on one side and Cortina d’Ampezzo’s Olympic ski jump on the other.

Set within the Isola Bella Nature Reserve, this luxurious resort features its very own beach club, meaning that guests will find it very easy to enjoy their time in the sun. The resort underwent a full refurbishment in 2016 and guests are sure to love the modern amenities, which include the award-winning Expire Spa featuring a Turkish bath, Jacuzzi and a selection of skin treatments, the onsite Fusion Restaurant and more than 200 sun loungers set right on the sand. There are just 58 guestrooms and three large suites, which means that guests at La Plage Resort are treated to plenty of privacy and a feeling of intimate decadence that is absent from larger establishments. Taking the cable car down the side of the hill to reach the town centre is an enchanting experience that guests who have a strong sense of adventure will not want to miss.

Once the private estate of film director Franco Zeffirelli and having played host to well-heeled visitors such as Elizabeth Taylor, Villa TreVille is no stranger to a bit of glamour. Enjoy total peace and privacy at this stunning estate consisting of four villas, filled with much of Zeffirelli’s collection of art and curiosities with each of the 16 guest suites being uniquely decorated to reflect their namesake cultural icons. Our favourite might be the Aida suite decorated in refreshing blues and whites and featuring delicate Arabic decorations and paintings to bring a subtle exotic flavour to the room, reminiscent of Verdi’s epic opera. The villas are surrounded by verdant gardens with lovely reclusive spots to relax, cooling plunge pools to escape the heat, and private balconies for a romantic view like no other. Meticulous attention to detail is the key here and the resort promises discreet and personalised service, whether you have an Elizabeth Taylor attitude or not. 

Offering the most spectacular view over Rome from its elevated position on Monte Mario, the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort will exceed your expectations in so many ways. From its Michelin-star dining room, to its luxury palatial spa and resort style pool, through to its 15 acres of lush parkland and world-class art collection the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort offers an elegant refuge away from the hustle and bustle of the city that will satisfy the most discerning of luxury travellers.

At the hotel all rooms are designed with sleeping and living areas and come with a range of stylish features like their indulgent marble bathrooms and spacious balconies for an al fresco breakfast or evening aperitifs. For all-out luxury choose a room on the Imperial floor which includes access to their club lounge and for over the top luxury choose the Planetarium suite which includes masterpieces throughout and a vast private roof terrace and jacuzzi.

With the glittering coastline on one side and fragrant gardens on the other, this is a beautifully calming and quintessentially Sardinian setting for the 7Pines Resort. It comprises 76 individual suites accommodated either in the gardens, close to the Laguna pool or beside the beach. The Pure Seven spa offers mindfulness sessions, treatments using organic and vegan products, a Relax Tour and a Kneipp bath coming in 2023. Additionally, there are three restaurants and three bars, the seafront Cone Club and the 7Pines Yachting Services, for sea-based adventures taking you to the far reaches of this picture-perfect region.

This enchanting Masseria San Domenico dates back to the 15th century and provides a luxurious retreat surrounded by lush palm tree-filled gardens. Guests are sure to enjoy wallowing in the large lagoon-style pool and indulging in a little pampering in the modern spa. The hotel can be found on the edge of the sleeping fishing town of Savelletri, while the ocean is just a 500-metre stroll away. There are forty spacious rooms to choose from here and by far the most luxurious is the San Domenico Suite, which boasts a raised patio that overlooks pretty olive groves and the ocean.

Perched on a quiet hilltop surrounded by lemon and pine trees, the elevated views enjoyed by this property are quite something. The pool, terrace and La Veranda dei Sapori restaurant take full advantage of this vista, allowing guests to watch the glamorous marine activity below. A second restaurant, Franco’s, also overlooks the bay and serves cuisine crafted from ingredients grown in the onsite kitchen gardens, while a piano bar on the roof terrace provides a magical backdrop for sampling cocktails under the stars. All rooms have their own balcony, overlooking either the lush gardens or the sea.

With a focus on well-being, this spa resort encourages guests to enjoy the surrounding beauty, unwind and practise self-care with a range of innovative treatments. A Personal Spa Assistant guides you through your journey. This may include thalassotherapy and treatments in the Hatma Space area of the Massage Zone, featuring a unique ergonomic bed. There’s a jogging track outside and a pool inside, to keep fit during your stay. The decor at Rosapetra revolves almost entirely around light wood, creating a grounding, rustic-chic atmosphere. The hotel’s Corte del Lampone dining room treats food like an art form and there’s regular entertainment by night.

Nestled near cultural landmarks such as the Guggenheim Collection and Accademia Gallery, Il Palazzo Experimental serves as a hub for both tourists and locals. Its 32 well-appointed rooms and suites are bathed in natural light and offer views of a serene canal and garden. The collaboration between the Experimental Group and the founders of the Italian Supper Club has led to the establishment of Adriatica Restaurant, promising an authentic Italian culinary journey with locally sourced ingredients. The bar, designed by Cristina Celestino, pays homage to Venice through a symphony of marble and antique mirrors, drawing inspiration from Carlo Scarpa.

Hotel Le Agavi, Positano invites guests to unwind where the sky meets the sea, perched above the sparkling Mediterranean Sea along the iconic Amalfi Coast. This 5-star hotel offers stylish, contemporary rooms and suites with terraces to enjoy unrivalled vistas. La Serra gourmet restaurant serves indulgent Mediterranean cuisine and Remmese offers guests the opportunity to dine alfresco with an inviting, sea breeze at the beach club. Relaxation is taken seriously here, there is a heated, 70’s-inspired outdoor pool and access to Alma Spa & Beauty which offers a host of outdoor massage treatments, a sauna and a Turkish bath. The sheltered, outdoor gym at La Agavi overlooks the Gulf of Positano ensuring a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

Right on the Lido, this luxurious resort has a subtly Moorish interior design. Reminiscent of a former era, the turn of the 20th-century building’s furnishings encapsulate a sense of North African mid-century style. The Excelsior boasts bedrooms with terraces overlooking the sea, tent-like private cabanas on the beach, a swimming pool, complimentary water shuttles, in-room Salvatore Ferragamo bath products, and a renowned intimate candlelit restaurant and some incredible seafood. It may be a glamorous venue – an optimum place to star spot during the film festival – but the resort is very welcoming of families, offering a kids’ club among its amenities.

The Aethos Sardinia is a beautifully designed hotel in a serene and secluded location overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel offers a selection of luxurious rooms and suites with splendid sea and garden views as well as terrace, balcony and private garden options. This hotel features the Grand 3-bedroom Pool Suite with its tranquil private garden, 200m panoramic walking path and freshwater pool. Guests are invited to dine at the ZAÏA Sardinia restaurant and savour the flavours and traditions of the island. You can lounge by the serene outdoor pool or take full advantage excellent spa facilities. There are wellness treatments and experiences available to transport you during your stay. The hotel also boasts a unique outdoor fitness room with floor to ceiling windows and unbeatable views.