Sought After Stays: Italy's most luxurious hotels

Italy weaves together a rich tapestry of undulating landscapes, culture and history, so varied in its offering that one might endlessly and never see, do or eat the same thing twice.

From the distinctive magic that radiates from Italy's grandest lake, Lake Como, to the bustling piazzas of Rome (regarded as the centre of the world during the Roman empire) and southern Italy’s most famous coastline, the Amalfi, peppered with picturesque hilltop towns and meandering roads, when one becomes tired of Italy, one is surely tired of life.

Here are the best hotels to offer you a slice of la dolce vita (the sweet life) during your visit. 

Hotel de la Ville, Rome

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A sibling of one of the most prestigious hotel groups in the world, Rocco Forte’s Rome outpost occupies an enviable position at the top of the Spanish Steps, offering a lofty view down across the terracotta-tiled rooftops so synonymous with Rome. The orange-blossom-scented De la Ville spa draws the essence of the city inside, using organic botanical products, sourced from the farm of sister property Verdura, and including a rasul mud room, salt room and an ice fountain, as well as hydrotherapy and plunge pools. 

Prices from £1,140
Via Sistina, 69, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
More information here.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como

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A jewel in the glistening crown of Lake Como, the century-old Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a monolith of Italian warmth, its gardens winding their way up from the glinting waters, toward the Grigne mountains. Guests meander between the over-lake pool and a more intimate garden pool, with staff moving seamlessly between the two to ensure every whim is seen to. And, despite its age (the property was first opened back in 1910 as a go-to for society’s elite), it closes each winter for refurbishments, meaning it always feels fresh.

Prices from £960
Via Regina, 8, 22016 Tremezzina CO, Italy
More information here.

Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa, Amalfi Coast

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Earning notable fame among the veritable clutch of luxury hotels that freckle the coastline of Amalfi is no easy feat, though you wouldn’t know this from the ease with which the Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa managed it. Set away from the myriad day trippers on a perch of its own, just outside the quiet village of Conca dei Marini, this 17th-century clifftop monastery-turned-hotel opens out into terraced gardens, with intimate corners and an infinity pool, that wind down the rocky outcrop. Join twice-weekly sunrise yoga sessions to really make the most of the views. 

Prices from £580
Via Roma, 2, 84010 Conca dei Marini SA, Italy
More information here.

San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel, Sicily

(Insiders Tip: This is the White Lotus Hotel!)

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The second monastery turned luxury hotel to make the list, the San Domenico Palace overlooks the Ionian Sea, with Mount Etna to one side and an ancient Greek theatre on the other, though the property itself is set back from the meandering backstreets of the town, swathed in bougainvillea-filled gardens. Guests here dine at the Michelin-starred Principe Cerami Restaurant, sip sundowners in the Grand Cloister accompanied by dulcet live music and explore the area on private boat trips leaving from the hotel itself. 

Prices from £1,930
Piazza S. Domenico de Guzman, 5, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
More information here.

Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Tuscany

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A working wine estate as well as a hotel, Tuscany’s own Rosewood branch prides itself on managing to lure strictly-city folk and international jet-setters away from their urban dwellings and into the calm of the countryside. Spread over 5,000 acres, the atmosphere here is surprisingly intimate, with suites and villas individually designed in a rustic-chic style, the priciest of which also include private pools, wood-burning pizza ovens and even a tennis court. Book onto a cooking course here to really get a flavour for the local culture.

Prices from £970
53024 Castiglion del Bosco Province of Siena, Italy
More information here.

Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa Milano, Milan

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Dripping in Murano chandeliers and marble pillars, this opulent city-centre hotel debuts operatic opulence at its best, starting at the staircase that sweeps dramatically up to a first floor balcony (decked in priceless Italian art, like the rest of the property) and spirals throughout. Just steps from the cobbled streets of the artistic district of Brera, art, design and imagination play a big role here, including in the guest rooms, each peppered with pieces old and new, from French 19th-century oil paintings to Art Nouveau marble statues. Despite its grandeur though, it is soothing, comfortable and ever-welcoming. 

Prices from £800
Corso di Porta Nuova, 1, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
More information here.

Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence

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While Italy offers buzz aplenty, Villa San Michele offers visitors a taste of its more off-the-radar delights. Nestled into a wooded hillside 20-minutes outside of Florence’s most popular tourist attractions, Villa San Michele is a quiet display of fine taste, rather than an overt declaration of luxury. Don’t be fooled though, there is nothing missing here, from a panoramic pool to a 24-hour gym and wellness suite, as well as a well-established cookery school and a varied roster of activities, from cocktail-making classes, wine tastings, visits to a cashmere-producer in Chianti and rafting down the river Arno. 

Prices from £870
Via Doccia, 4, 50014 Fiesole FI, Italy
More information here.

Capri Tiberio Palace, Capri

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Just outside of Piazzetta, arguably Capri’s prettiest town, the Capri Tiberio Palace is a hotel with a sense of humour, a culture woven into every aspect, from its pop-arty curios to its friendly guests, who can be found laughing on the terrace until the early hours. If you are after anonymity, this isn’t the place for you, as the service is personalised, the staff seem to really know you, and the boutique nature of the property means you will bump into the same faces throughout your stay. Though you can, whatever happens, enjoy total peace at the spa. 

Prices from £560
Via Croce, 11-15, 80073 Capri NA, Italy
More information here.