Palazzo hotels on the Grand Canal, cliff-hugging Amalfi retreats and vineyard estates in the Tuscan hills. Italy remains the benchmark for hotels with a genuine sense of place.
Taormina, Sicily, Italy · Four Seasons
A spectacular clifftop hotel where centuries of Sicilian history, extraordinary Ionian Sea views, Michelin-starred dining and polished Four Seasons service come together.
Gold Stay 2026
Venice, Italy · Aman
The rare Venice hotel that feels like being lent a palazzo rather than sold a room.
Rome, Italy · Bulgari
Rome's most assured new grand hotel: jeweller's polish applied to a rationalist palazzo, with the Mausoleum of Augustus as the front garden.
Rome, Italy · Waldorf Astoria
A hilltop grande dame above Rome whose museum-grade art and three-Michelin-starred La Pergola justify the trek up Monte Mario.
Venice, Italy · Hilton
A Victorian flour mill reborn with Venice's only rooftop pool and the lagoon's best sunset bar.
Venice, Italy · Radisson
A proper palazzo conversion in the Venice neighbourhood you actually want to sleep in.
Como, Italy · Hilton
The practical way to do Lake Como: a walkable Como base with a rooftop infinity pool that outguns hotels at twice the rate.
Como, Italy
The sane way to do Lake Como: a true lakefront address, Belle Epoque manners and rates that leave money for boat hire.
Milan, Italy · Radisson
Quiet Villapizzone comfort with a proper pool and sauna, for travellers who value calm and value over a Duomo doorstep.
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