Italy
Passalacqua, Lake Como
In Moltrasio on Lake Como, Passalacqua is an 18th-century villa reborn in frescoed salons, terraced gardens and whisper-soft glamour. Sunlit rooms and suites, some in the Casa al Lago, gaze across the water. Swim by the lemon-grove pool, book the intimate spa, and dine al fresco, private dock; Como, Bellagio and villas nearby. 10
Il San Pietro di Positano
Carved into Positano’s cliffside, Il San Pietro is Mediterranean theatre made serene: bougainvillea-framed terraces, sea-breeze rooms, and a private elevator to a hidden beach club. Dine at Michelin-starred Zass, linger at Il Carlino, laze by the sea-level deck and courts. Capri, Amalfi and Ravello unfurl by boat from the jetty. 10
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
On Lake Como’s glittering shores, Grand Hotel Tremezzo is Belle Époque exuberance with jaunty, sunlit swagger. Citrus-bright salons and lake-facing rooms gaze to Bellagio. Float in the floating pool, wander tiered gardens, book T Spa, dine at L’Escale and La Terrazza. Ferries, villas and sunset promenades unfurl from its doorstep. 9.8
Le Sirenuse, Positano
In Positano’s heart, Le Sirenuse is an elegant whitewashed palazzo draped in bougainvillaea and lemon scent. Sunlit rooms with Vietri tiles and balconies face the Tyrrhenian. Swim in the cliffside pool, book the small spa, dine at La Sponda, and sip at Franco’s Bar. Steps to the beach, boutiques, and boat launches. 9.8
Orient Express Palazzo Dona Giovannelli, Venice
Set in a restored Gothic palazzo in Cannaregio, the Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli marries lagoon-old grandeur with crisp contemporary poise. Frescoed salons, cloistered courtyards and a water door lead to serene rooms and suites. Dine under stucco, unwind in the discreet spa. Steps from Rialto, Fondaco, canals and vaporetto.
Casa Cipriani Milano
Beside Porta Venezia, Casa Cipriani Milano feels like a discreet members’ club: polished wood, marble, and Milanese light. Only 15 elegantly tailored rooms and suites, many with balconies. Dine on the rooftop terrace, sip a Bellini, retreat to the spa and gym. Steps to Giardini Montanelli, fashion avenues and galleries. 9.8
Hotel Punta Tragara
Capri.
Hotel Punta Tragara is Capri’s cliffside classic at Tragara Viewpoint, staring straight at the Faraglioni. A Le Corbusier-designed villa turned five-star icon, it pairs elegant rooms with terraces, two outdoor pools (one heated with massage jets), spa treatments, and the Le Monzù restaurant. Vibe: discreet, cinematic, old-money Capri. 9.4
The Gritti Palace, Venice
On the Grand Canal facing Santa Maria della Salute, the Gritti Palace wraps Renaissance opulence in intimate, residential calm. Silk-draped rooms and suites showcase antiques and terrazzo. Breakfast on the terrace, dine at Club del Doge, sip at Bar Longhi. Private dock; La Fenice, Accademia and San Marco minutes away. 9.4
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
​Set within a Renaissance palazzo and former convent, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze unfurls frescoes, cloisters and the vast Giardino della Gherardesca. Sunlit rooms feel museum-calm; suites spill to terraces. Laze by the garden pool, book the serene spa, dine at Il Palagio. Minutes from the Duomo yet blissfully tucked away. 9.8
J.K. Place, Capri
Above Marina Grande, J.K. Place Capri is seaside townhouse-glamour: white lacquer, navy stripes and breezy terraces. Sun-bright rooms and suites, many with balconies, face the Tyrrhenian. Laze by the clifftop pool, book the boutique spa, dine at JKitchen, linger over aperitivo. Steps to the Piazzetta, beach clubs and boat days. 10
Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa
On lakeside Menaggio, Lake Como, Grand Hotel Victoria marries Belle Époque bones with crisp contemporary polish. Sunlit rooms and suites open to lake-view balconies. Drift between indoor–outdoor pools, the Erre Spa, and chic bars and restaurants. Terraces, gardens and a private jetty set the tone. Ferries to Bellagio and Varenna depart nearby. 9.8
Cala di Volpe
Sardinia
Costa Smeralda.
Hotel Cala di Volpe on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda, near Porto Cervo, feels like a seaside village wrapped around a sheltered bay. Rooms blend Sardinian craft with polish. Spend afternoons by the vast saltwater pool, then take the shuttle to the hotel’s reserved beach. Finish with Shiseido spa rituals and fantastic dining. 9.2
Palazzo Tirso Cagliari
Sardinia.
On Cagliari’s marina-front Piazza Deffenu, Palazzo Tirso Cagliari - MGallery pairs modernist curves with Sardinia soul. The vibe is sleekek, sunlit, and quietly indulgent. Swim the rooftop infinity pool, then retreat to L'Occitane en Provence spa with sauna, hammam, heated indoor pool and Jacuzzi. Finish with Terra dining or Cielo Rooftop Experience cocktails. 9.6
Hotel Palazzo Doglio
Sardinia.
In central Cagliari on Vico Logudoro, Hotel Palazzo Doglio is a polished courtyard retreat with a local piazza feel. The vibe is sociable, stylish, and quietly refined. Book Doglio Club spa for pool, sauna and treatments, plus a modern gym, then dine at Osteria del Forte or the American Bar. 9.6
Borgo Egnazia
Fasano, Puglia.
Borgo Egnazia, in Savelletri di Fasano on Puglia’s Adriatic coast, is a wonderful made-to-feel real village of pale tufa stone and lantern-lit lanes. Expect luxury rooms, suites and private villas, multiple pools, two beach clubs, an 18-hole golf link, and the Vair spa. Vibe: dreamy, earthy, impeccably staged, for grown-ups and families alike. 9.8
Caruso Amalfi
A Belmond Hotel.
Perched 350 metres above the sea in Ravello, Caruso, a Belmond hotel, inhabits an 11th century palace wrapped in terraced gardens. The famed heated infinity pool seems to float over the Amalfi Coast. Add a wellness centre, elegant Italian dining, and convenient complimentary shuttles to Amalfi and Positano, making for effortless days out and about. 9.9
Hotel Il Pellicano
On Monte Argentario outside Porto Ercole, Hotel Il Pellicano clings to Tuscan cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea, all warmed terraces and yellow striped glamour. Swim in the sea view pool, descend by lift to the private rock beach, book PELLICLUB treatments, and linger over Michelin star dining. Effortlessly chic. 9.9
Borgo Santandrea
Overlooking Conca dei Marini, Borgo Santandrea is a mid century styled cliffside sanctuary minutes from Amalfi. Two elevators whisk you 79 metres to a private pebble beach club and jetty. Back above, a saltwater panoramic pool, three restaurants, and a sea view wellness retreat set a relaxed, sunlit, romantic mood. 9.9
Spledido Portofino
A Belmond Hotel.
High above Portofino Bay, Splendido, a Belmond hotel, crowns a former monastery turned Riviera legend. Lemon scented terraces frame a heated saltwater pool with postcard views. Inside, Dior Spa rituals and polished Ligurian dining restore you. A complimentary shuttle drops you to the harbour’s piazzetta, in languid glamour all day. 9.6
This Time Tomorrow
Florence
In Florence’s leafy Le Cure, This Time Tomorrow is an artful aparthotel inside a beautifully restored neoclassical villa, with eight generous residences named for the clock. Expect frescoed ceilings, fully equipped kitchens, and some terraces. There’s no restaurant, just tailored itineraries and private-chef suppers. Vibe: cultured, quietly intimate, distinctly local. 9.6
Borgo San Felice Resort
In Chianti Classico, near Siena’s Castelnuovo Berardenga, Borgo San Felice Resort is a restored medieval hamlet turned Relais & Châteaux retreat. Rooms scatter through stone houses, with vineyards all around. Swim the heated pool, book Botanic Spa wine therapy, tour the cellars, and dine at Michelin-starred Poggio Rosso. Rustic, refined, relaxed. 9.8
Grand Hotel Timeo
A Belmond Hotel, Taormina.
Next door to Taormina’s Ancient Theatre of Taormina, Grand Hotel Timeo, a Belmond icon, blends belle époque romance with quietly sunlit Sicilian ease. Linger by the heated panoramic pool in terraced gardens, book treatments at the wellness centre, dine at Michelin starred Otto Geleng, then shuttle down to Villa Sant’Andrea’s private beach. 9.8
Six Senses Rome
Set on Piazza di San Marcello, just off Via del Corso in Rome’s Centro Storico, near the Trevi Fountain, this restored palazzo is a calm, design led hideaway. Expect 96 rooms, BIVIUM’s all day dining, NOTOS rooftop cocktails, and a spa with Roman baths. Vibe: polished, wellness minded, quietly luxurious. Fantastic central Rome location. 9.6
Jumeirah Capri Palace
In Anacapri, Jumeirah Capri Palace is a whitewashed art filled retreat above the Bay of Naples. Spend mornings at the Capri Medical Spa’s famed Leg School, afternoons by the 40 metre mosaic pool, and evenings at two Michelin-starred L’Olivo. Il Riccio beach club awaits near the Blue Grotto. Serene, stylish, relaxed retreat. 9.6
Orient Express La Minerva
Rome.
Steps from the Pantheon on Piazza della Minerva, Orient Express La Minerva revives a restored 17th-century palazzo with Hugo Toro’s Art Deco polish. Expect 129 rooms, a skylit cocktail bar, and a rooftop restaurant with Rome-wide views. Vibe is cinematic yet calm at night, perfect for strolling the historic centre. 9.9
The St. Regis Florence
On Florence’s Arno at Piazza Ognissanti, The St. Regis Florence occupies a restored Renaissance palace with frescoed rooms and quietly theatrical glamour. Butler service smooths every detail. Dine under stained glass at the Winter Garden, sip at the bar, and unwind in myBlend Spa Suites. Vibe: elegant, intimate, city-centred. 9.6
Collegio alla Querce
In Florence’s Le Cure hills, Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection, transforms a former boarding school into an 83 room retreat with Florence Cathedral views. Cabana lined pool, Aelia spa, and La Gamella’s seasonal cooking set the day. Evenings drift to Bar Bertelli’s cocktails, in a cultured, country house calm above the city. 9.8
Hotel La Gemma
Tucked by Florence’s Duomo on Via dei Cavalieri, Hotel La Gemma occupies Palazzo Paoletti, a jewel toned boutique with 39 rooms. Downstairs, Allure Spa hides in the old cellars with sauna and steam. Expect a sleek restaurant and bar, attentive service, and a chic, contemporary hush for post museum decompression. 9.6
Portrait Firenze
Riverside Florence.
On the Arno, just steps from Ponte Vecchio, Portrait Firenze is the Ferragamo family’s chic, apartment-like refuge, with 37 suites by Michele Bonan. Expect kitchenettes, attentive Lifestyle Assistants, and river-view terraces made for aperitivo. The vibe is fashion-forward and quietly domestic, perfectly placed for the Uffizi and Via Tornabuoni shopping. 9.8
The James Suite Hotel
Firenze 1564
Hidden on a quiet Via di Mezzo in Florence’s Sant’Ambrogio, The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564 is a restored 16th-century palazzo with frescoed ceilings and designer flair. Expect 14 suites, a leafy courtyard, The James Restaurant, and the 1564 Lounge Bar. Vibe: intimate, arty, softly indulgent, minutes from Florence Cathedral. 9.9
Splendido Mare
A Belmond Hotel, Portofino.
On Portofino’s harbourfront piazzetta, Splendido Mare, a Belmond hotel, is an intimate guesthouse with just 14 rooms, dressed in Riviera pastels. Take aperitivo at DaV Mare, cool off at the gelateria, then shuttle up to Hotel Splendido’s pool and Dior Spa, or to Bagni Fiore beach. Vibe: glossy, sociable, effortless. 9.8
Lake Como EDITION
In Cadenabbia di Griante on Lake Como’s western shore, The Lake Como EDITION sits in a restored 19th-century palazzo. Expect 148 rooms, lake-view balconies, an outdoor pool, spa and gym, plus lively bars and restaurants. Vibe: stylish, social, and surprisingly serene, with Bellagio just opposite, across the water. 9.6
Villa Principe Leopoldo
Lake Lugano.
On Collina d’Oro above Lake Lugano, Villa Principe Leopoldo feels like a quiet private residence, all terraces, gardens, and shimmering views. Suites open to balconies; days orbit the outdoor pool and DOT Spa’s tailored rituals. Dine on refined Mediterranean classics, then linger at the piano bar. Vibe: discreet, romantic, lake retreat. 9.2
Santa Caterina
Amalfi.
Just outside Amalfi’s historic centre, family-run Hotel Santa Caterina climbs the cliff in lemon-scented terraces. A glass lift drops you to a private beach club and saltwater pool. Dress for Michelin-starred Glicine, dine at Al Mare, then retreat to the small spa and sea-view gym. Vibe: classic, sun-warmed, unapologetically Italian. 9.8
Castello di Casole
Tuscany
A Belmond Hotel.
Belmond Castello di Casole, near Casole d’Elsa in Siena’s countryside, is a storybook castle on a Tuscan olive grove estate. Suites mix beams and antiques with modern ease. Float in the heated infinity pool, retreat to the vaulted wine-cellar spa, then linger over exquisite dining. Vibe: relaxing and wonderfully cinematic. 9.6
Hotel La Perla
Dolomites.
At the foot of Alta Badia’s slopes in Corvara, Hotel La Perla is a family-run Ladin hideaway where wood, stone, and pride rule. The vibe is alpine-warm and quietly refined. Ski days end in the Salus per Aquam spa with sauna, steam, and pool, then linger over wine and cooking. 9.8
COMO Alpina Dolomites
On South Tyrol’s Alpe di Siusi above Val Gardena, COMO Alpina Dolomites is a minimalist, wood-and-stone lodge with huge mountain views. The vibe is serene, wellness-first, and outdoorsy. Float in the 22-metre indoor-outdoor pool, cycle heat-and-ice saunas, book hay-bath treatments, then linger over alpine-leaning dining after ski days or hikes. 9.6
LUNARIS Wellnessresort
LUNARIS Wellnessresort in South Tyrol’s Ahrntal valley sits beside the Klausberg cable car, a sleek Alpine hideaway of warm woods and glass. Days drift between rooftop Sky Pools, panoramic saunas, and a playful family water world. Expect polished service, regional dining, soothing spa treatments, and a quietly invigorating, mountain-fresh vibe. 9.6
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