Milazzo
Run by super-friendly Stefano and Barbara, this B&B halfway between the port and the castle has been lovingly remodelled, retaining historical details…
Must-see hotels in Italy
Venice
A colourful character inhabiting a quiet side street in Dorsoduro’s museum district, Ca’ del Brocchi has small yet over-the-top baroque-styled rooms –…
Eastern Sardinia
A slice of civilisation in Barbagia's wild, forest-cloaked mountains, this bright, well-kept hotel (run by the same family for more than 60 years) enjoys…
Catania
Part of the Italy-wide UNA chain, Palace Catania delivers higher-end digs in a city badly in need of upmarket options. The white-on-white rooms lack wow…
Positano
Carlo the ceramicist is the main man at Maria Luisa; he's an extremely congenial (and multilingual) host who’ll make your stay in glitzy Positano feel…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
A hostel in name only, this petite and super-friendly guesthouse has small, hotel-standard rooms with en-suite bathrooms and tasteful decor – think beamed…
Centro Storico
This friendly three-star has been welcoming guests since 1787 and both Stendhal and Giuseppe Mazzini are said to have slept here. Modern-day visitors can…
Venice
Enjoy patrician pleasures at this 16th-century palazzo perched on a canal near the Greek church. Grand proportions make for light, spacious rooms, with…
Southern Tuscany
The huge garden surrounding this hotel is nothing less than extraordinary, featuring a maze, Etruscan ruin, olive grove and swimming pool grand enough for…
Milan
Having grown their bakery business to a citywide franchise, the Pandenus entrepreneurs have now turned their critical eye towards Milan’s limited bed and…
Sorrento
A snug little nook near the train station that’s ideal for single travellers on a budget who feel like they’ve grown out of hostelling. The space…
Ravenna
A relative newcomer in a renovated historic building that offers six well-appointed rooms and suites scross the street from Basilica di San Vitale. It's…
Venice
Live like a Venetian in this 16th-century family home with a Liberty frescoed salon, piano room, self-service bar, top-floor terrace, and breakfast…
Palermo
Convenient to the train station and speckled with books, records and the odd gramophone, this welcoming, 5th-floor B&B on Via Roma wins guests over with…
Salina
Remodelled in Aeolian style, with peach-coloured stucco, cheerful blue doors, and floors clad in reproductions of historic tiles, this family-run pensione…
La Vignaredda Residenza d'Epoca
Northeastern Sardinia
To really appreciate the region's tranquility, stay at this beautifully converted manor house at the town's edge. Exposed granite, cosy nooks, traditional…
The Dolomites
Things take a totally contemporary turn at this small and fun hotel, even if its hospitality lineage reaches way back (the owners have branched out from…
Palermo
Dating from 1874, this is one of Palermo's most historically fascinating hotels. Like a royal court, it's been the scene of intrigue, liaisons and double…
Venice
The stage is set for intrigue at this 16th-century palazzo, with its frescoed grand salon, hidden courtyard garden and cupboards concealing a secret…
Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio
Venice
The Eurostars chain has got a lot right at this converted convent with a charming cloister garden on the Sant’Alvise canal. Decor has been stripped back…
Central Sicily
Antique furniture and framed artworks give this welcoming B&B an elegant, comforting feel. All the rooms are spotless and inviting, and breakfast is…
Milan
Designed around a sporting theme, The Yard has dark, moody interiors kitted out with worsted leather sofas, tartan prints, period portraits and curious…
Oltrarno
For those seeking peace and tranquility at the end of the day, this stylish boutique hotel – squirrelled away within the sturdy cream-painted walls of an…
Agrigento
This handsome converted baglio (manor house) has rooms that are somewhat old and tired, but the garden and the location with views over the Valley of the…
Naples
A chic melange of antique furniture, contemporary art and Liberty stained glass, Costantinopoli 104 occupies a neoclassical villa in the city's bohemian…
Stresa
Luxuriate in turn-of-the-century style at Villa Aminta, which offers picture-perfect views of an island-studded lake. Rooms decked out with Murano…
Naples
This central, friendly spot offers hostel and hotel options on two floors. Rooms are pretty nondescript and functional, though all are clean and the more…
Matera
The attraction of this Sasso Caveoso hotel is its subterannean termae romanae (Roman baths). Cave accommodation, with niches and rustic brick floors, is…
Basilicata
Set in an art-nouveau villa in Acquafredda, this hotel is like a piece of plush Portofino towed several hundred kilometres south. Enjoy a broad terrace…
Positano
This welcoming family-owned place hugs the hillside in 'old' Positano above Fornillo beach. Decently sized rooms are well equipped, with a minibar and…
Turin
If you're not perturbed by a still-gentrifying neighbourhood, this welcoming family-run place offers individual artist-decorated rooms that are basic, but…
Capri
Near the bus station, the Carmencita is run by a delightful couple who will collect you from the ferry at Marina Grande if you phone ahead. The atmosphere…
Naples
A block away from Via Toledo, this well-priced B&B is more like four apartments atop a thigh-toning stairwell. While two apartments share a small terrace,…
Noto
Directly uphill from the centre, this renovated hostel offers excellent value for money and is a great option for families or groups. There's one dorm …
The Veneto
If you’ve spent the day perusing Casa del Petrarca, you can bed down in this similarly romantic stone house. Casa Zorzi has four romantic apartments with…
Brescia
A short stroll from the train station, the very modern Hotel Igea offers affordably priced rooms that boast all the essential creature comforts (decent…
Tropea
Look for the sign of a bounteous hostess bearing fruit and cake to find this delightful B&B, overlooking the main corso. The 17th-century palazzo retains…
Venice
Dock for the night at this historic gondola squero (shipyard), converted into a garden retreat. Gondolas float right by the windows of two of the rooms…
Capri
Away from the glitz of the town centre, this charming one-star is hidden down a quiet back lane overlooking the Certosa di San Giacomo. The 11 smart rooms…
Montepulciano
In the 15th century they were sheds and hen houses; now they're five rustic-chic self-contained apartments. Some have big open fireplaces and many feature…
