Food, art, architecture, wine, coffee, fashion - Italy does it all extremely well. It is also blessed with stunning natural beauty. Visiting Italy is all about immersing yourself in the Italian spirit of living well. Don't rush around ticking boxes. Ponder, touch, taste and enjoy! The best places to stay in Italy are invested in this spirit of living well. From converted farms in the rolling Tuscan hills ideal for a family escape to chic boutiques on the island of Capri, made for lovers, there's something for everyone here.
The 'Eternal City', Rome has been a place of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages, both for those journeying to the headquarters of Catholicism and travellers in search of beautiful art and architecture. Rome is home to a number of the world's great museums and art collections, but Rome's collections don't just fill the museums, they also decorate the piazzas and the public spaces. Some of the most incredible relics are the ruins of ancient Rome, the Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon.
Naples (the birthplace of pizza) with its incredible bay and views of Vesuvius is and fashionable, beautiful, un-touristy Milan, are two of Italy's other great city break destinations. Naples is vibrant and frenetic rather than elegant and still has an impressive collection of Roman ruins, plus of course, it's close to Pompeii and Herculaneum. Milan, on the other hand, has world-class sights and is also a financial capital.
Then, of course, there's Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance and for many the gateway to Tuscany. One of the world's most beautiful cities, Florence is packed with wonderful art and architecture on a grand scale. Michelangelo, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci have helped adorn the piazzas and palaces of Florence. Beyond the beauty of the city is the sunny, terracotta beauty of the Tuscan hills and Siena, Pisa, Montepulciano and San Gimignano.
That's before you consider the natural beauty of the Lakes Region, the Amalfi Coast, Sardinia, the Cinque Terre or Capri. And the magic of Venice… It appears that the real challenge of planning your trip to Italy is choosing from too many incredibly promising destinations.
Given that it's constantly a tourist hotspot, so be sure to book ahead if you want to guarantee yourself a room in one of the best places to stay in Italy.
No spam. Only sweet updates about the latest hotel openings and the best places to stay.
Tuscany (Scarlino)
A boutique hotel in Tuscany overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea in the heart of the Maremma. Huge bespoke rooms and luxury lodges in the olive grove. Excellent organic Tuscan dishes, outdoor pool, and expansive gardens. Perfect for a weekend country escape.
Tuscany
Pretty Tuscan villa hotel with stunning views. Sun-soaked gardens and terraces, nine contemporary designed rooms and suites and three private luxury villas. Swimming pool, hot tub, tennis court and mountain bikes to borrow. Great for couples or for groups to rent exclusively.
Sicily (Sicily)
Relais San Giuliano is an all-singing, all-dancing pocket rocket, small but perfectly formed with 12 rooms, a spa, infinity pool and restaurant 'I Palici' serving mouth-watering Sicilian dishes. Great for all the family. Just a few miles from Catania it's within easy reach of the airport.
Noto
Q92 is a new boutique hotel in Sicily that opened in May 2022. A baroque palazzo in one of the best locations in Noto, Sicily. Nine rooms, a pretty garden with a small pool, private and romantic. A little hidden gem.
Rome (Campo Marzio)
Located in the heart of Rome, this designer Mansion is uniquely decorated and boasts its very own contemporary art gallery. There are six individually decorated guest rooms and a Turkish steam bath for relaxing after a day's sightseeing. The perfect blend of contemporary and classic Roman elegance.
Rome (Piazza del Popolo)
Elegant independently owned 5-star hotel in a former convent near the Piazza del Popolo, with beautifully designed, spacious bedrooms, a charming courtyard garden, and a fine restaurant and bar. Highly recommended for a chic Roman holiday.
Veneto
This hotel occupies a stately, sixteenth-century Venetian villa of Palladian origin close to Treviso airport. Verdant gardens surround the hotel, whose elegant guestrooms feature period-style furnishings and original heritage details. Cool off in the pretty outdoor swimming pool after a day trip.
Veneto
Countryside accommodation with peaceful garden and shaded veranda terrace overlooking Valpolicella vineyards. Air conditioned rustic-chic bedrooms are roomy with original stone walls and smart furnishings. The restaurant serves local wines and Italian dishes. Ideal for wine lovers & local exploring.
Puglia (Puglia)
About 15 minutes north of Lecce, Sa Suites is a new elegant hotel whose spacious interiors are modern but retain original high ceilings, polished wooden floors; all rooms have outdoor spaces. Extras include an outdoor pool, tennis court, bikes, restaurant & bar. Ideal for relaxation or exploring.
Ostuni
The only red palazzo in the white city of Ostuni, Paragon 700 is an absolutely stunning addition to the boutique hotel scene in Puglia. A timeless place where elegance and history are found in each one of the beautifully finished rooms and suites. Plus a gourmet restaurant & pool. Open year-round.
Naples
Warm and welcoming B&B in a lively area of Naples. Comfortable, traditional rooms and a small wellness area with sauna and hot tub. Enjoy Neapolitan pastries and good Italian coffee for breakfast. Local restaurants nearby and plenty to see on the doorstep. Great value base for exploring the city.
Campania
A renovated monastery unreachable by car. Fantastically remote at the top of a hill in a small village. Exposed stone work, rambling terraces, terracotta floors, and iron beds. Various rooms, suites, cottages, and a house accommodate couples, families, and groups. Total relaxation.
Rome (Campo Marzio)
Located in the heart of Rome, this designer Mansion is uniquely decorated and boasts its very own contemporary art gallery. There are six individually decorated guest rooms and a Turkish steam bath for relaxing after a day's sightseeing. The perfect blend of contemporary and classic Roman elegance.
Rome (Piazza del Popolo)
Elegant independently owned 5-star hotel in a former convent near the Piazza del Popolo, with beautifully designed, spacious bedrooms, a charming courtyard garden, and a fine restaurant and bar. Highly recommended for a chic Roman holiday.