Cagliari
Antiques and frescoes whisk you back in time at this handsome 19th-century townhouse in the Marina district. The five bright, high-ceilinged rooms are…
Must-see hotels in Italy
Centro Storico
This long-standing pensione makes an excellent central base, offering a warm welcome and a top location near the Pantheon. Rooms are spacious and…
Trieste
Vis a Vis is the Duchi's slickly modern offshoot, with small-ish but luxurious, all-mod-con rooms. A great choice if your tastes tend towards the…
Golfo di Orosei
Centred on a beautiful courtyard, this stone townhouse keeps it rustic with a vaulted breakfast room and characterful rooms featuring wrought-iron…
Puglia
A tranquil accommodation choice on San Nicola, away from the frenzy of San Domino, this B&B run by the Hotel Gabbiano has stylish white-on-white rooms…
Panarea
These simple, immaculate rooms with pretty tiled floors and bathrooms are the closest thing to budget lodging you'll find in pricey Panarea, Look for them…
Venice
The refurbishment of this 15th-century palazzo (mansion) into an apartment hotel retained many of its period features while paying close attention to…
Stromboli
Just west of Stromboli's hilltop church square, this dusky-pink Aeolian inn under the same ownership since 1985 is a fashionable port of call, with five…
Santa Teresa di Gallura
Fresh, unfussy rooms, including connecting rooms for families, make this evergreen hotel a popular choice. Staff are friendly and the location, a quick…
Ragusa
This sweet little B&B behind Ragusa's Duomo di San Giorgio offers an intimate experience, with simple, tastefully decorated rooms and a charming, leafy…
Verona
In the heart of the historic centre, this tiny three-room B&B is set around a quiet internal courtyard. It offers tasteful rooms and plenty of personal…
Valle d'Aosta
Set in the village of Gimillan, overlooking Cogne and the towering peaks beyond, the friendly Locanda Grauson has a range of pine-panelled rooms with…
Southeastern Sardinia
The Albaruja is a cut above most of the hotels on the Costa Rei. As well as attractive summery rooms and flowery gardens, it has a bistrot, kids'…
Syracuse
Set around an internal courtyard in the heart of Ortygia, family-run L'Acanto is a popular, value-for-money B&B. Rooms are simply decorated and enlivened…
Trento
This elegant small hotel in a historic medieval house features rooms that are modern and airy (if a little on the staid side). Its central location,…
Venice
Recover from Venice's sensory onslaught at this low-slung minimalist-chic hotel hidden down a dead-end lane near the Ghetto. Sleek, contemporary guest…
Siena
Located on the 1st floor of a 16th-century palazzo (mansion), this boutique B&B offers six small rooms with wooden beams, modern bathrooms and stylish…
Venice
Move over, Casanova – Ca' del Nobile makes romantic getaways easy. The exposed-brick Casanova room has a canopied bed; cosy standards have wood-beamed…
Ferrara
Smarter than the average three-star hotel, de Prati charms with its central location, antique furniture and friendly owners. Wrought-iron bedsteads reign…
Piedmont
These modern apartments in a low-slung structure of wood and stone are both stylish and comfortingly rustic. There's a communal games room, a spa and a…
Orvieto
This guesthouse, run by the welcoming Francesca, offers two spacious apartments with bright, nicely kept rooms and useful kitchen facilities. You'll find…
Puglia
An established icon on San Nicola and run for decades by the same Neapolitan family, this smart hotel has pastel-coloured rooms with balconies overlooking…
Chianti
Overlooking the medieval village of Volpaia, this country hotel offers seven charming rooms in the converted 16th-century farmhouse, as well as a lounge…
Aeolian Islands
Alicudi's lone hotel, just south of the port, opens only from June through September, when its 12 rooms fill up quickly. There's a pleasant terrace…
Western Sardinia
This working farm offers 12 guest rooms (including six constructed in 2017) and serves wonderful earthy food. Rooms are frill-free but clean and airy, and…
Treviso
This darkly beautiful townhouse is the perfect display of contemporary Italian design, from its Carrara marble bathrooms and art deco bedrooms to its…
Langhe, Roero & Monferrato
In a lovely house in the centre of the village, Boffa offers four modern rooms and one suite above a stunning terrace with limitless Langhe valley views…
Basilicata
This delightful B&B, the 'House of Penelope and Cirene', offers just two handsomely furnished rooms in the heart of Pietrapertosa. There's a sitting room,…
Alba
High ceilings and beautiful original bones make this one-room family-run B&B a real find. Bonus points come from the fact that it puts you in the historic…
Merano (Meran)
A five-minute stroll from both Merano's train station and the riverside promenade, this hostel is bright and modern, with a sunny terrace and other…
Valle d'Aosta
Occupying a couple of village houses at the entrance to Bard village, this stylish hotel has views of the fort and a fabulous wellness area built around a…
Ancona
This friendly B&B is right in the thick of things in Ancona, a three-minute amble from Piazza Roma. Its three rooms are simple yet modern and immaculately…
Bolzano (Bozen)
The three- and four-bed dorms in this airy and friendly hostel are well designed and configured for privacy. Single rooms can squeeze in a fold-out if…
Mount Etna
This pleasant place occupies a leafy residential street, 2km from Nicolosi en route to Catania. The rooms are large with thoughtful touches, and there’s a…
Taormina
An excellent budget B&B on the top floor of an old, centrally located palazzo, Le 4 Fontane is run by a friendly couple and has three clean, homey rooms,…
Italian Youth Hostel Association
Sardinia
Sardinia’s six youth hostels are run by the Italian Youth Hostel Association, which is affiliated with Hostelling International (www.hihostels.com). You…
Genoa
Under the huge portals of Via XX Settembre lies Genoa's art-nouveau masterpiece. Atmospheric, airy rooms with plush curtains, polished parquetry and…
Lake Como
An affordably priced option on the main road in Olivedo, the family-run Montecodeno has simple, clean-swept rooms and furnishings in need of an update. It…
Riomaggiore
If you're looking for help with reservations, this company, run by a local and his American wife, has a large number of simple, but well-vetted properties…
Verona
A central yet quiet B&B with three pastel-hued, tastefully decorated rooms. The largest room, which can be used as a quad, features its own small outdoor…
