italy hotels

A winningly intimate oasis amidst Rome's overwhelming tourist bustle.

Renaissance Roman glamor meets Hollywood glitz at this gorgeous palazzo.

For those who work hard and play hard–you'll appreciate both the big, modernist artworks in the rooms by day, and the DJ sets in the lobby by night. 

Like the backdrop to a Fellini movie, this picturesque, whitewashed villa is flanked by olive and lemon trees and overlooks the Gulf of Naples.

Super-attentive service, manicured greenery, and an air of sophistication combine into a pampered world all its own.

Beautiful Lake Como is surrounded by the Alps, and the villas along the shoreline are amazing feats of architecture. You can take a boat trip around the lake to learn about the history of the estates, which belong to the likes of the Heinz family, Versace, and, of course, George and Amal Clooney. If you don’t have your own megamansion, Villa d’Este is the place to stay: It’s a classic hotel with 25 acres of gardens that are absolutely immaculate, and it’s so treasured in Italy that it was declared a World Heritage Site. A favorite feature is the hotel's pool, which sits on a platform in the lake and is a major place for Italians (and Hollywood heavyweights) to see and be seen.

Whether you’re there to soak in Patricia Urquoila’s artistry or to seek out a different kind of luxury in Como, Il Sereno is a knockout hotel with no bad angles and great service.

The first hotel in Taormina, Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo still dazzles guests with views and history that have been here for more than a century. The hotel overlooks the terra-cotta rooftops of the medieval village and, beyond that, the coast toward Mount Etna. In the foreground, there are manicured gardens, unapologetically opulent guest rooms, and a wellness center with a focus on natural, organic products with healing local herbs and neroli oil. The Literary Terrace was frequented by the likes of D.H. Lawrence, Truman Capote, and Tennessee Williams, and inside, the 16-seat Otto Geleng restaurant holds a Michelin star.

Milan’s most prestigious and audacious new luxury stay.

A villa that feels like your very own, and smack dab in the middle of Rome to boot.

The ultimate Amalfi Coast cocoon.

Currently closed for the season through March of 2024—springtime in Taormina being well worth the wait, our readers agree—this Belmond entry is lauded in large part for its sublime location and the views afforded as a result. The villa was originally built in 1919 by a family of aristocrats to serve as their private retreat, and the intimacy of such a setting fabulously survived the property's transformation into a hotel come the 1950s. There are, of course, modern splashes: a complimentary shuttle brings guests into Taormina proper in around 15 minutes, with a similarly free-with-admission, White Lotus-style boat excursion during the summer months. Onsite dining restaurant Brizza, which can accommodate just 12 guests at a time, gets special mentions from our readers, with one writing wistfully, “A dinner at Brizza, barefoot...”

The dreamily beautiful Borgo Egnazia is one of the loveliest places to stay in all of Italy.

A stay at this five-star hotel perched on a cliff’s edge on the Amalfi Coast may feel like a religious experience—and with very good reason. 

People talk about old classics, but this one has roots dating back to the 11th century and it remains a timeless place.

A contemporary Italian refuge in a 12th-century Umbrian monastery.

A seriously stylish option in Rome's Borghese neighborhood, with off-the-scale-chic guests and personally monogrammed pillows.

This slick and stylish hotel—think 21st century Italian—is on the Ponte Vecchio, away from the crowds.

High and mighty, 1,000 feet above the Bay of Naples, a stunning location, this former Russian prince’s mansion has amazing views from anywhere on its well-maintained, and hand-in-hand grounds begging for a romantic stroll. It’s also a five-minute walk from Anacapri’s town center, where shops sell local pottery, made-to-measure sandals, and Capri’s limoncello liqueur, using the island’s lemons. All rooms have down duvets, linen sheets, marble bathrooms with double sinks, and private balconies, but for a sense of grandeur, get one of the five specialty suites—the Caesar has arches, columns, and a bust of Augustus himself. The bi-level infinity pool seems to drop into the sea. What a stunning sight.