Best Wellness Hotels in Italy

Arrive via Aman Venice’s private jetty into the gardens that lead down to the water. Built in the 16th century, this was once the Palazzo Papadopoli, a grand Baroque masterpiece which retains its original frescoes to this day. The decor is Neo-Renaissance and very opulent, its 24 bedrooms balancing this period grandeur with the modern niceties like Bang & Olufsen flatscreen TVs and Nespresso coffee makers (as this was the first building in the city to get electricity, it’s fitting that it should include some cutting-edge gadgets). Aman Venice has a small spa, Arva restaurant, a bar and a library stacked with books, board games and puzzles.

Surrounded by seven beautifully tended acres of land, this 52-bedroom residence is the place to choose for seclusion and private walks. It has an authentic Ischian feel, with local dishes created in the il Corbezzolo restaurant from the freshest island ingredients (many of which originate from the hotel’s organic vegetable garden). An outdoor pool and jacuzzi is fed by the natural thermal waters, as is the spa. Botania Relais & Spa is ideal for older families (children over 12 are welcome) or as a romantic boutique break. Lacco Ameno is just a short stroll away, accessed by a series of stone steps.

On the island’s north-western coast is the village of Lacco Ameno and the Albergo Della Regina Isabella, which was built on the site of ancient Greco-Roman ruins. As it was opened by the successful movie producer and publisher, Angelo Rizzoli (in 1956), it drew many a film star from the mid century era, including Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The property remains evocative of this time, with a classic charm. It has 128 bedrooms, a hot tub supplied by the island’s thermal springs, four swimming pools, a wellness programme, three exquisite restaurants, a private beach and a dock for those arriving by yacht.

So many of the city’s buildings have a story to tell. And while many of them were once grand palaces, this one used to be a flour mill. But the Neo-Gothic landmark creation was later reimagined for far more sophisticated purposes – now it’s the largest hotel in the area, retaining some of the original industrial features. Found on the island of Giudecca, it’s a way from the heart of the action, providing a tranquil space to house 379 bedrooms. Its rooftop pool, adjacent to the expansive spa is a highlight, offering panoramic views. There’s also a 24-hour fitness centre, three eateries, a bar and plenty to keep children occupied.

The Gritti Palace dates back to 1475, although didn’t become a hotel until just before the turn of the 20th century. Opening right up onto the Grand Canal, with its own private jetty, the Luxury Collection property has 82 bedrooms. Inside, guests can enjoy the Sisley Paris spa, hammam and hairdressing services, or take cookery classes at the Gritti Epicurean School. Its Club del Doge restaurant serves an award-winning Venetian heritage-themed menu. These dishes are (in part) crafted using vegetables from the hotel’s private garden, which is hidden on an island in the lagoon. The resulting gourmet meals can be taken in the sumptuous dining room, or on the candlelit waterside terrace. And the Gritti Palace’s Riva Lounge – styled to reflect the mid-century design of the Monaco Yacht Club – is one of the most glamorous spots in town for late-night cocktails.

Found on Giudecca island, the Cipriani is but a few minutes away from the tourist centre, accessed via the Belmond’s own luxe launch moored at the edge of its gorgeous gardens. Once on its grounds, you’ll find tennis courts, a 15th-century wing housing period bedrooms with butler service, a private marina and an expansive pool terrace that meets the Grand Canal. Offering lovely lagoon views as you sunbathe and swim, this area has an Olympic size pool, filled with seawater. Another highlight is its Michelin-starred formal restaurant, Oro. Those seeking a more laid-back ambience can dine lagoon or pool-side at two further eateries.

Guest staying in the 130 guestrooms and 39 suites of the St Regis all benefit from the brand’s attentive take on butler service, while some also enjoy private terraces with plush furnishings and panoramic views. The building, just a few minute’s stroll from the Piazza San Marco, is over 150 years old and avant-garde both inside and out. Its Italianate garden provides a backdrop in which you can eat, drink, or just relax, away from the tourist throng and features geometric patterning, curlicue topiary, rose planting and pathways. Or you can dine on modern Venetian cuisine in Gio’s Restaurant and sip cocktails in the Arts Bar.

Finally, Hotel Viu is another pet-friendly luxury hotel, located close to Milan’s main financial district. It consists of 124 rooms, which all benefit from a contemporary aesthetic and understated colour scheme. Among the facilities at the hotel are a spa, a gym and an outdoor pool. Rooms offer free wi-fi and flat-screen Smart TVs, while Hotel Viu also boasts two main restaurants. The first is a more casual offering, known as the Bulk Restaurant, while the alternative is the more sophisticated Morelli Restaurant, which serves authentic Milanese food.

Found close to Milan’s Brera district, Palazzo Parigi is a hotel within a renovated bank and combines aspects of both Italian and French design into one sophisticated offering. Rooms within the hotel include free wi-fi and flat-screen televisions, while upgraded rooms add a balcony. Some of Palazzo Parigi’s additional features include an indoor pool, a grand spa and a fitness centre. An authentic Italian restaurant and an elegant lounge and bar area complete the package.

Situated close to Milan Cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo, Park Hyatt Milan is a city centre hotel, which boasts more than 100 luxury rooms, as well as 25 suites. Each of these rooms provides a flat-screen television, free wi-fi, a sitting area, mobile charging facilities and a minibar. One of the aspects that helps to set Park Hyatt Milan apart from many of the city’s other luxury offerings is the fact that it is pet-friendly. Furthermore, the hotel houses a spa, fitness centre and high-end restaurant.

Bulgari Milan is arguably the most outwardly glamorous hotel in the city, as the building itself is a renovated 18th-century palace. It lies around 1km from Milan Cathedral, on its own private street in the downtown area. Standard rooms offer free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen television, marble bathrooms and either garden or courtyard views, and upgraded rooms include a walk-in closet. Meanwhile, high-class suites include a living area and a dining area. Among the hotel’s other features are a 4,000-square-meter private garden and a traditional Italian restaurant.

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.