Best Luxury Hotels in Italy

Named Best Luxury Destination Hotel by the World Luxury Awards in 2022, this Grande Dame is set in a turn-of-the-20th-century building with views of the Gulf of Tigullio. 80 bedrooms and suites have features such as picture windows, wrought-iron balconies and jacuzzi baths. The Erre Spa offers multisensory wellness paths, with treatments using Esthederm and 5 monde products. And guests can experience Ligurian cuisine in the romantic Le Cupole Restaurant on the rooftop and at La Veranda Bistrot, while drinks are served at the Vie della Seta Bar and at the poolside bar.

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.

Housed in a 17th-century deep red watchtower located on a leafy coastal track above the bay, the Mezzatorre is now a sophisticated retreat. It was once used to look out for pirates, retaining super thick walls, vaulted ceilings and epic sea views. One of the towers is home to the restaurant, where a coastal theme continues with the catch of the day being cooked simply and perfectly. A further restaurant is found beside the pool with great tunes and superb pasta. Making use of the plot’s own thermal springs, the spa comprises pools of mineral-rich water and seawater, hot Kneipp pools, a steam room and treatment rooms.

Located along the beautiful coastline of Santa Reparata Bay on the northern coast of Sardinia, the Mangia’s Santa Teresa Resort, is a stunning 5-star resort that is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton.The resort comprises 199 bright guest rooms with sea or garden views and interiors take inspiration from elegant Arab styles. Guests can enjoy access to a private beach along with a breathtaking infinity pool, a gym and a tennis court for sports enthusiasts. For adventure seekers, there are nearby trekking trails to explore the surroundings or a short 10-minute trip to the charming town of Santa Teresa Gallura. Dining facilities include two restaurants and stylish bar.

Award-winning luxury wine resort, Conti di San Bonifacio, is located in Italy’s Tuscany, a region steeped in tradition and breath-taking scenery. The suites within the resort are rustic and romantic and overlook either the pristine vineyards or expansive olive groves, each suite presents an individual charm yet all are equally as comfortable so guests can relax and recharge.The Maremmana Restaurant boasts stunning views and showcases Tuscan cooking in all its glory with an innovative twist, much of the produce is homegrown in its organic garden or locally sourced so dishes are superbly seasonal with an emphasis on zero km ethos. Truffle hunting, olive oil tasting, conscious cooking classes and many more foodie experiences can be enjoyed by guests at the hotel. Excursions to explore the local area can also be arranged by the team.

Welcome to the cinematic landscapes of Tuscany, where the outskirts of the famed medieval town of Montepulciano hold a hidden gem – the Poggio Alla Sala estate. This enchanting retreat offers a timeless escape well-suited for families and couples seeking a peaceful, rejuvenating getaway. Surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves and farmhouses, this enchanting retreat captivates guests with its natural beauty, exotic cuisine, wonderful wines and mystical ambience.

This used to be a Fiat factory – the car testing area that once featured in The Italian Job is now a jogging track – but the warehouse building has since been reimagined as a trendy hotel. In the Lingotto district, the NH branded property is right beside an entertainment complex and a short ride via metro to Turin’s centre. 240 modern rooms with high ceilings and workspaces are light and bright. Some have Alpine views and others come with kids’ toys. Pets are welcome too. The Turtle bar, Torpedo restaurant and tropical garden are the hotel’s food and drink outlets and those staying have free access to the Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli gallery.

When you’ve visited the delightful town of Sirmione, you’ll understand why this area of Lake Garda is one of the most popular of tourist destinations. A stay at the 5-star Palace Hotel will allow that extra time needed to explore this most beautiful area of north Italy. Situated in the old town area, a five-minute stroll through the cobbled streets of old will have you entering the alluring Italian-style gardens with their marble fountains, statues, fragrant shrubs and flowering plants. With much use made of marble and ceramics in reception and guest rooms, the interior has a light contemporary feel, while the location provides the most stunning of backdrops.

COMO Castello Del Nero is set within a historic 740-acre estate nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscany. The converted twelfth-century castle combines contemporary design with Renaissance frescoes. This theme flows throughout each of the 50 rooms and suites, which were designed by Paola Navone. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining experiences including the Michelin-starred restaurant La Torre, a relaxed Italian vibe in the castle’s original kitchen and Mediterranean-style alfresco dining in the warmer months. The prime location of the resort means there are many outdoor adventures to be had in the nearby area or for those not wanting to stray too far, there is a wonderful selection of experiences on offer at the resort; from cooking classes and truffle hunting to stargazing and wine tastings. The wellness centre, COMO Shambhala Retreat, presents guests with Asian-inspired holistic mind and body treatments and the 25m heated outdoor pool is the ideal place to cool off in beautiful surroundings.

Spring 2022 saw the re-awakening of the fabled Castle Elvira in Puglia. Reimagined as a new designer hotel spread over four levels, the launch was three years in the making. This followed what has been an extensive period of abandonment, beginning not long after the castle’s construction in the late 1800s. Now its original detailing has been beautifully restored, including a cinema and rooftop bar, accompanied by eclectic furnishings and the latest tech. The result is a luxe, artistically-minded environment, the backdrop for Castle Elvira’s one-of-a-kind experiences.

The casa is an amalgamation of five shuttered houses, to create a 13-bedroom boutique bed and breakfast. Each of the buildings has a lounge on the ground floor, shared with the residents of that house and offering tea, coffee, treats and a daily “help yourself” breakfast. Guests can book out an entire house if desired, or a single bedroom. The suites all have an airy feel, with similarities to a New York loft in places; think exposed red brick and industrial-chic metal bed four-poster frames. Locally made linens and textiles have been woven into the design, including Orsoni mosaic tiles.

What was once a reef side fortress has been lovingly restored, to create a whitewashed ten-bedroomed boutique hotel right in Monopoli. Original features such as vaulted stone ceilings, fireplaces and limestone floors have been maintained, complimented by handicrafts, carved wood headboards and mod cons including hydro showers. The rooftop terrace is a romantic spot in which to savour some seasonal Puglian cuisine or take a dip in the little sea-view pool that’s sheltered by a rustic stone wall. Massages can be booked in-room or taken in a dedicated outdoor treatment area and breakfast is served in the 16th-century cellar.