Best Italy Resort Hotels
Introduction
Italy is known for its world-class food and fashion, ancient architecture, and gorgeous cars. One lesser-known triumph is keeping hospitality in the family. Take the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, an opulent resort on the shores of Lake Como. It was built in the 1850s as a gift for Countess Frizzoni of Bergamo. After World War I, the Bucher family bought what had become the Grand Hotel Bellagio. Over the decades, notable guests have come and gone — from Winston Churchill to Al Pacino. Through it all, the Bucher family has stayed. Now, its fourth generation of owners keep watch over the Murano chandeliers and private beach, the lush gardens, and the starched sheets — all the details that helped the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni rank seventh among resort hotels in Italy.
The very best properties in Italy share a few other commonalities. Three of the 10 have Michelin-starred restaurants. And though the hotels are spread across several regions of Italy, from the sheer cliffs of Capri to the vineyard-strewn hills of Tuscany, four are on the Amalfi Coast. That’s not surprising, given that the Costiera Amalfitana is considered one of the most gorgeous shorelines in Italy and arguably the world. On a peninsula that juts into the sea like a spike from the front of Italy’s boot, it has sherbet-hued towns, terraced gardens, dramatic views, and scented lemon groves. Amalfi has long been a retreat for discerning travelers and is a place where Italy’s instincts for la dolce vita are on full display. The grand hotels dotted along the coast bring together refinement and relaxation. They have alfresco restaurants serving the freshest seafood and beach clubs lined with striped lounge chairs. Floor-to-ceiling windows open onto private terraces and catch sea breezes. But the quality that set this year’s winners above all the rest? Staff members who provide polished service with a smile also make you feel like part of the family.
Hotel Caesar Augustus
Perched on a cliff almost 1,000 feet above the Gulf of Naples, the Hotel Caesar Augustus was once the villa of a Russian prince. Today, it’s a family-run five-star hotel with some of Capri’s most memorable views. “The owner greeted us upon check-in and wanted us to feel at home at his hotel,” wrote one reader of the family’s hospitality, adding, “The views from the room and overall grounds are amazing!” The hotel has 55 individually decorated rooms and suites, many with private balconies that feel like they extend into the sky. The bi-level infinity pool blends into the sea, the two-acre garden supplies most of the restaurant’s produce, and the hotel has a private area at the Bagni Tiberio beach club. One reader noted that care in every aspect registers with guests: “The attention to detail is wonderful.”
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
Located bang in the center of Sorrento, the glorious gardens, filled with scented blooms and birdsong, act as a buffer to the sometimes oppressive crowds that squeeze into Sorrento in high season. The town is small, so the sights are all easily accessible on foot, and the narrow cobbled lanes, particularly charming at night, are on the doorstep. A private lift whisks guests down the cliffside to the harbor below, from where regular departures are to Naples, the islands, and Positano. This makes a good base for visiting Capri (a 30-minute hop on the hydrofoil), Pompeii, and Herculaneum (both less than an hour by train), and prices are considerably lower than the Amalfi Coast, which lies a 30-minute drive over the mountainside. Naples is just over an hour away by train. The beautiful but little-known northern arm of the Sorrentine peninsula spreads out west of Sorrento and is well worth exploring.
The hotel is spread over three connecting buildings on a clifftop overlooking the sea. First opened in 1834, it has been owned and managed by the Fiorentino family from the outset (the present GM is the fifth generation). It has preserved a vast sense of history, 21st-century luxuries notwithstanding. Grand in name, grand; the ground floor marble hallways and public rooms (the glorious Winter Garden, the frescoed Reading Room, the Music Room) are monuments to the Belle Epoque and Liberty styles, filled with wondrous antiques and paintings, objéts d’art and lush plants which all sit well with latter-day frescoes, trompe-l’oeils and stencil-work. It preserves a sense of timeless glamour; its illustrious past and more recent guests include Wagner, Luciano Pavarotti, Marilyn Munroe, Jack Lemmon, and Sophie Loren. There’s a wall with all of them near the reception hall.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Located in the heart of Lake Como, with unparalleled views of Bellagio, the iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo is an authentic Art Nouveau palace offering the delights of a 5-star luxury vacation. With its 100 windows overlooking the lake’s blue waters or the flowering greenery of the park, the hotel features 75 rooms and 15 suites, including eight exclusive Rooftop Suites. This historic property provides a comprehensive, diverse array of comforts: 3 breathtaking pools (one floating on the lake!), a lakefront classic-style lido, private Venetian motor launches, a sublime spa, 2-hectares lush secular park including a floodlit clay tennis court and jogging path, and five different restaurants and bars offering the culinary art of the famous Italian Chef Gualtiero Marchesi. Boasting over a century of ageless allure and traditions, the family-owned Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a vintage symbol of Italian hospitality and a place to enjoy the flavor of actual vacation.
Il San Pietro di Positano
A member of the Relais & Chateaux luxury fellowship and one of the most expensive hotels in Positano, Il San Pietro is a stunning property with breathtaking Amalfi Coast vistas from multiple vantage points. The 57 spacious rooms are elegant and individually designed, featuring complimentary minibars, free Wi-Fi, and sea-view terraces. In addition to outstanding service, the hotel offers a Michelin-starred restaurant, an elevator leading to a private beach and daytime eatery, a small spa and gym, an infinity pool, and a tennis court next to a lawn where activities such as yoga are held. The downside is that it is not within easy walking distance to town, but a free shuttle can take guests there 24/7.
Hotel Santa Caterina
Hotel Santa Caterina is as close to the Amalfi Coast as possible. The 19th-century villa looks practically carved out of the cliffs it calls home. In addition to the excellent service, guests found the location indescribable and the property simply stunning. Charming rooms offer classic Italian interiors, including floors with antiques, hand-painted tiling, plenty of natural light, and ocean views or on-site gardens. Walk around the grounds further to explore the hotel’s various offerings. You can dine alfresco on Al Mare Restaurant’s terrace, then stroll down to the cliffside pool, which is equipped with an oceanfront sun deck and steps leading into the Mediterranean waters below.
Additionally, Santa Caterina offers spa services, a gym, and a boutique stocked with local souvenirs, including Positano beachwear. The hotel also houses a second restaurant, a bar, and a wine cellar, and it provides a shuttle that can take visitors to the nearest town, which many guests appreciate. Lovebirds, take note: Recent guests said this was the perfect place for a honeymoon. Just note: You’ll pay a pretty penny to stay and dine here. The hotel is part of The Leading Hotels of the World, meaning Leaders Club members can access perks here.
Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea
When Goethe called Taormina a “piece of paradise on earth,” he may have been describing Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea. Alon one of Italy’s most picturesque bays on a private beach with exclusive cabanas, this former villa is just a courtesy shuttle ride away from Taormina’s town center and oozes glamour and old-world charm. The five-star property features 71 elegantly furnished guest rooms and suites. Gues s can take in panoramic views from the heated outdoor swimming pool, revel in complimentary morning boat cruises, relish fresh seafood at Oliviero Restaurant, and relax with a soothing massage in their room or beneath an orange tree.
Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
The shoreline of Italy’s Lake Como is dotted with splendid hotels and imposing villas that offer everything first-rate. Grand Hotel Vi la Serbelloni sits comfortably at the head of this five-star class. Located in the upscale town of Bellagio at the tip of the peninsula where the legendary lake forks, Villa Serbelloni, offers flawless luxury carefully refined since the hotel’s transition from a palatial residence in 1873. Without putting too fine a point on it, the rich Neoclassical history of the place informs every detail. The colorful interplay of the terracotta rooftops and canary yellow exterior provides an incredibly picturesque contrast with the surrounding greenery, especially if one approaches via boat. Inside, the public spaces are opulent — footsteps echo on marble staircases, chandeliers dangle from impossibly high ceilings — but this is no elaborate imitation. It’s no accident that the Bellagio in Vegas is named for the Villa Serbelloni’s lakeside locale.
The 85 guest rooms vary in size from spacious to hollow, and the motif is heavy on undiluted Neo-classical elements, gilded mirrors, and ornate ceiling frescoes. Period furniture abounds, with a sleek modern intruder to be found. Lush, heavy curtains open to reveal commanding views of Lake Como. The hotel’s two restaurants, astral and La Goletta, are helmed by Michelin-starred chef Ettore Bocchia, Italy’s leading light among molecular gastronomists. For active relaxation, the villa’s expansive grounds contain tennis courts, a gym, and a lakeside pool. The spa is comprehensive, with a tensive menu of indulgences and a few exotic treatments to impress even the most jaded wellness enthusiast.
Le Sirenuse
One of the priciest hotels in Positano, this luxury boutique is also perhaps the most beautiful. It lives up to its upscale reputation with pristine grounds, thoughtful free extras (like snacks and boat trips), and a renowned restaurant. Rooms feature antique furniture and modern appliances, but some are small and old. That said, it’s an excellent choice for those who can afford it and seek a central location, gorgeous spa, and spectacular views.
Borgo Egnazia
The 183-room luxury Borgo Egnezia is an uber-stylish complex built like a traditional Apulian village (with a contemporary twist). Luxury is the game’s name, and the hotel is where a celebrity guest once flew in elephants for a wedding. Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake also got married here. The hotel has a private beach, a charming, rustic piazza, and a chapel for destination weddings. Everything in the hotel’s construction was made in Italy, and the three restaurants serve local cuisine. The buttery cream and beige decor, stone bathrooms, and plush canopy beds make the rooms feel like they are in a modern-day castle. Of course, the most luxurious of the luxe comes at a price, and extra fees for food and service can add up, especially for families.
Belmond Castello di Casole
Recent visitors praised this historic resort’s stunning beauty. The estate’s namesake castle was built in the late 10th century, restored, and converted into a hotel in 2012. L is located in Casole d’Elsa, Italy; the property is surrounded by the farms and vineyards that make Tuscany’s gastronomy world famous. The on-site restaurant Cip’s by Cipriani features homemade pasta, fresh seafood, and traditional Italian flavors in an elegant yet informal atmosphere. Guests can also enjoy cocktails at the lively Bar Visconti. Accommodations at Belmond Castello di Casole are spacious and sleek, with classic Tuscan hues like terra cotta, light blue, and cypress green. All suites include complimentary Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs, and free minibars. Bathrooms feature luxurious perks like heated towel racks, double showerheads, and freestanding bathtubs. A few previous guests said that the hotel’s service ought to improve. Still, even the most cynical visitor praised the exciting assortment of on-site adventures. Activities include biking, horseback riding, golf, hiking, and truffle hunting. Belmond Castello di Casole offers art and cooking classes for a relaxing day.
