Valle d’Itria
Once a borgo (medieval town), this masseria has 16 rooms and a spa in the orchard, and manages to be both traditional while also having a bohemian edge…
Must-see hotels in Italy
Catania
Rooms at this 19th-century factory turned boutique hotel are sleek, with high-quality bedding, designer lighting, smart TVs and custom-made furniture in…
Genoa
For five-star service at three-star prices, book at this artful hideaway. Rooms, on the 3rd floor of a towering palazzo, are themed on modern artists and…
Oltrarno
Hostel in style at this chic crash pad, a two-minute walk from Piazza Tasso. Coloured bed linen and floor rugs give three- to six-bed dorms a boutique…
B&B dei Viaggiatori, Viandanti e Sognatori
Syracuse
Enjoying a prime Ortygia location, this relaxed, TV-free B&B exudes an easy, boho vibe. It's a homely place, where books and antiques mingle with the…
Umbria
Silence hangs like a monk's habit over this luxurious four-star, exquisitely housed in a 17th-century monastery. Its rooms, soberly styled with parquet…
Western Sicily
This small three-star hotel with attractive buttermilk-yellow facade overlooking Castellammare's harbour is known for its helpful staff, comfortable rooms…
Reggio Emilia
In the bed business for 500 years and elegant inside and out, the grand four-star Posta is housed in the 13th-century Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, one…
Rome
An intimate and coolly contemporary hideaway, Casa Montani has five rooms on the 3rd floor of a palazzo overlooking Porta del Popolo. The three deluxe…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
For your own designer pied-à-terre on one of Rome's prettiest and most peaceful pedestrian streets, reserve yourself one of the seven well-equipped rooms…
Lake Como
One kilometre short of the Abbazia di Piona Cistercian abbey, on a verdant promontory jutting into the lake close to Lake Como's southeastern corner, this…
Perugia
This petite, welcoming hotel is tucked in a quiet corner of the centro storico (historic centre). Magnificent views complement the bright rooms, decorated…
Milan
While it may lack the flights of fancy that many Milan design hotels boast, this brand new three-star property has lots of nice touches and very…
Livorno
Livorno's grand dame of a belle-époque hotel, part of the MGallery by Sofitel, looks out to sea from its waterfront perch. The finest of its 123 spacious,…
Lake Garda
This ultra-modern, glass-and-timber ecolodge 3km north of Lake Ledro looks like a cool Scandinavian-style retreat with its balconies affording views of…
Ravello
A working farm, this mountainside agriturismo (farm stay) is located a tough half-hour walk of about 1.5km from Ravello’s centre (call ahead to arrange to…
Naples
Located on a street lined with booksellers, this sassy B&B has six rooms channelling an Armani vibe with their muted tones, stainless-steel detailing and…
Genoa
In a quiet lane near the Maddalena church, the easy-going Manêna was Genoa's first hostel to open in the historic centre back in 2012, and it's still one…
Northwestern Tuscany
This atmospheric town house is an ode to art, fittingly so given it's situated in the former home and studio of painter Bruno Cordati (1890–1979). The…
Vernazza
Spread over two locations, one above the attached restaurant, the other up the hill, rooms here are an atmospheric mix of antique furniture and simple…
Marsala
Languishing quietly above a designer sushi restaurant, this trio of smart midrange rooms combine contemporary design with urban chic. Neutral palettes of…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
Find this guesthouse on the 3rd floor of a honey-hued palazzo. Owner and ultimate good host Marco is an utter angel. You won't forget you're in Rome…
Perugia
History and cutting-edge design cavort at this slick and intimate hostel. Pair the central location with modern dorms (bunk beds, heated flooring,…
Milan
This boutique B&B doesn't have a sign out the front, making it feel like you're visiting a friend's place. What it does have is lots of character in its…
Chianti
Offering five comfortable rooms, this B&B in a recently restored medieval tower on the Badia di Passignano estate is a good choice for those wanting to…
Eastern Sardinia
Owners Riky and Elena share a great vibe at this long-time favourite for hikers, climbers and cyclists. The lime-hued B&B makes a terrific base for…
Catania
Hospitable British-Sicilian couple Rob and Cristina own this wonderfully eclectic B&B, a bohemian mishmash of vintage furniture and mirrors, Sicilian…
Lake Iseo
One of several hotels in the centre of Iseo, the two-star, lakefront Milano is an excellent deal. The lake views are better than the slightly dated rooms,…
Milan
Styled by design-veteran Aldo Cibic, a founding member of Milan's Memphis Group, this suite hotel offers apartment-style accommodation with Instagram…
Southern Rome
Changing contemporary-art exhibitions by local Roman artists decorate this stylish 66-room hotel in gentrifying Ostiense. Standard rooms are a riot of…
Syracuse
Housed in a historic palazzo, the six rooms at this tasteful, minimalist B&B are hot property in summer, so be sure to book ahead. All are well sized,…
Todi
Just south of the main square, this renovated 17th-century palazzo has great old-world charm. Rooms, some of which are on the small side, are comfortable…
Central Sicily
Near the entrance to Nicosia (on the SS117 to Leonforte), this authentic agriturismo incorporates a working farm and offers 10 comfortable, rustic-style…
Central Tuscany
This stone podere (farm building) dating from the 1600s is located on a hilltop surrounded by chestnut groves just outside the hilltop hamlet of…
Naples
More boutique than B&B, this urbane hideaway combines contemporary cool with vintage touches. Four of the impeccable rooms (some as big as a small suite)…
Ancona
Enjoying a lovely location near Ancona's white-shingle beach, this genteel hotel is a classic seaside pile. There's something slightly old-fashioned about…
Southern Tuscany
Few sleeping options can boast a historic atmosphere to equal this now-decommissioned 11th-century monastery, set on a 500-hectare estate planted with…
Milan
Relais & Chateaux’s self-styled 'urban chateau' is housed in a pink, art nouveau palazzo which looks like it's taken its decorating tips from Wes Anderson…
Lake Como
In the heart of Lezzeno (the longest village on Lake Como), 11km southwest of Bellagio, this is a comfy family hotel in a village off the mainstream…
Lake Maggiore
On the Lombard side of Lake Maggiore, this delightful rural inn is a favourite of horse riders, trekkers and those who simply need a dose of nature. You…
