Amalfi
Central it is, with small, functional rooms berthed in a building accessed via a tiny little piazza in the centro storico (historic centre). The joy is…
Must-see hotels in Italy
The Dolomites
Endowed with sweeping mountain views from its lovely bucolic position just outside La Villa village on the road to San Cassiano, this large family-run…
Matera
Established in 1996 (making it the first hotel in the sassi), the Sassi Hotel is set in a rambling edifice dating in parts to the 16th century. Some of…
San Remo
A 10-room hotel is set in a Liberty-style villa off a small traffic circle about 100m from the train station. The simply furnished rooms are bright with…
Valle d'Aosta
Cogne personified (ie tranquil, courteous and understated), the Sant'Orso is nonetheless equipped with plenty of hidden extras, including a wellness area…
Montepulciano
The first thing that strikes you about Cavalierino is the peace. In this organic agriturismo on a hilltop wine estate, rustic self-catering apartments…
Basilicata
This friendly B&B, set in the small hamlet of Cersuta, 5km northwest of Maratea, has three rooms decorated respectively in blue, pink and sea green. Rooms…
Procida
Converted-farmhouse B&B in the middle of the island featuring split-level, minimalist rooms with low-rise beds and contemporary furniture. Bathrooms are…
Tyrrhenian Coast
This sleek stone-walled inn in a former baronial palazzo has 15 well-appointed rooms clustered around a courtyard in the heart of town. Amenities include…
Southern Tuscany
Clelia and Andrea's agriturismo on the edge of Vetulonia offers tranquil surrounds and sensational views. Accommodation is in five ultra-basic cottages…
Santa Teresa di Gallura
At this B&B just above Rena Bianca beach, it's worth paying extra for the front-facing room with private bath, where (as the name suggests) the windows…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
This retro-flavoured guesthouse makes for a convenient base near the Colosseum. First impressions are not great – the building is decidedly tatty – but…
Vernazza
To spend a romantic night in Vernazza, try L’Eremo sul Mare, a charming cliff-side villa with just three rooms and a lovely panoramic terrace. It's a 15…
Lipari
This family-run hotel's top attraction is its superb seaside location, a few blocks south of Marina Corta. The pool terrace on the cliff edge is fabulous,…
Bosa
This friendly little three-star resides in a palazzo at the western edge of the historic centre. There's nothing fancy about the high-ceilinged rooms,…
Cala Gonone
The vine-clad Costa Dorada offers dreamy sea views and tasteful rooms decorated with pastel colours, painted wood furnishings and local handicrafts. It’s…
Alberobello
This campground 1.5km out of town has some nice tent sites, a restaurant, a market, two swimming pools, tennis courts and bicycle hire. You can also rent…
Bologna
Student digs never felt so good. This low-key hotel received a modern makeover in 2017 and offers a hospitable welcome in its newly slicked-out lobby and…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Given its location – perched alongside the Spanish Steps – the Scalinata isn't too pricey. An informal and friendly place, it’s something of a warren,…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
In a workaday area sandwiched between Rome's opera house and Stazione Termini, family-run Columbia is a safe, if unexciting, midrange choice. Its 45 rooms…
Vatican City, Borgo & Prati
This veteran two-star on Prati's main shopping strip is housed on two floors of a five-storey townhouse – reception is on the 1st floor (there's an…
Le Marche
Drift off in your tent to the sound of waves breaking at this beachfront campground. Just off the main coastal road 6km south of Pesaro, it's a functional…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Near the Spanish Steps, in an area where a bargain is a Bulgari watch bought on sale, the Panda flies the flag for budget accommodation. It's a friendly…
Milan
Bamboo parquet floors and Vietnamese furnishings set the tone in this 1903 residence-turned-B&B with four romantic rooms. Tropical tones inform the decor,…
Siena
Taking its name from the nearby city gate, this well-located B&B has loads of character and a real 'home away from home' vibe. It's set on the 1st floor…
Costa Smeralda
This seaside campground is located on the main road just north of Porto Rotondo. There’s plenty to keep the kids amused, with a swimming pool, a…
Paestum
Paestum has numerous campgrounds, but this is where you should hammer in those tent pegs. The campsite is set in a mature landscaped area with lofty pines…
Lazio
This modest hotel is housed in a 19th-century palazzo just off the historic centre's main strip. A welcoming spot, it has spacious, if slightly dated,…
Cosenza
One of Cosenza's most central options, the Excelsior is a late 19th-century art-nouveau charmer. Regular renovations have kept the place comfortable and…
Trentino & South Tyrol
This large place offers smart, comfortable rooms, all with balconies, and the full range of resort services, including a kids' club. It's in one of…
Northeastern Sardinia
Conveniently placed in Tempio Pausania’s historic centre, this family-run B&B in an early 19th-century palazzo (mansion) has simple rooms done out in…
Turin
Hallways are wide, ceilings are high and rooms are generously proportioned at this hotel that's been in the same family since 1854. Basic rooms are good…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
A smart, value-for-money choice near Piazza del Popolo. Rooms, spread over six floors of a narrow townhouse, are simple and airy. Some are smaller than…
Promontorio del Gargano
A small hotel with shuttered windows, located on the main street across from the Santuario di San Michele, this traditional place has spacious rooms, some…
Residenza d'Epoca Palazzo Malfatti
Southern Tuscany
These seven basic apartments sleeping between two and six guests are a decent choice for self-catering guests wanting to stay in this pocket of Tuscany…
The Veneto
The Hotel Duse is a simple and traditional hotel right in the heart of town. Housed in a historic structure, it could do with some refreshing, but the…
Costa Smeralda
Knotted, gnarled wood beams and ochre-tinted stone walls set the tone at this attractive hotel, while rooms are furnished with terracotta tiles, wood and…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
Friendly but faded, this labyrinthine place in a quiet street off Via Nazionale has 36 rooms in various size configurations; the singles are tiny but the…
Mantua
Budget nomads should head to this elegant townhouse, set in the heart of historic Mantua. Cleverly lit bedrooms combine soft tones with subtle furnishings…
Oristano
Behind the discreet facade of this centrally located four-star, guest rooms reveal a low-key look with traditional fabrics and cooling white tones. In…
