Image courtesy of Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
Want to check in at the coolest boutique hotels in Italy? We’ve got options. Whether you’re visiting the picturesque Tuscan countryside or the grandiose ancient city of Rome, staying in the poshest hotels can be the cherry on top of an already awesome vacation.
Want VIP hotel perks at the coolest Italian boutique hotels? Plan and book your trip with Fora and we’ll not only unlock awesome extras at the best places to stay in Italy, but hook you up with sweet insider intel on everything from cool hidden gems to deliciously authentic restaurants.
8 of the coolest luxury or boutique hotels in Italy
You’ll find posh boutique hotels all over Italy — so don’t consider this article an all-encompassing guide so much as a thorough starting point.
We figure you’d prefer to not read about every awesome boutique hotel in Italy (that would take a while). But we are covering our eight favorite choices across the best places to visit in Italy for first-timers and beyond.
1. Aethos Saragano: a beautiful hotel with stunning views of the Umbrian countryside
Tucked deep within Umbrian olive groves and vineyards, Aethos Saragano is a gorgeous Italian boutique hotel about 40 minutes outside of Perugia. It’s a fabulous choice for travelers touring rural Italy — especially if the idea of staying in a medieval village (with modern amenities!) sounds like a dream come true.
Enjoy wine tasting, pasta-making classes and a plethora of other laid-back activities while enjoying scenic views of the countryside.
Want to know all the cool things to do in Umbria, Italy on top of the perks you'll snag at your Italian boutique hotel? Plan and book your trip with Fora.
Fora Perks at Aethos Saragano:
Breakfast daily.
Welcome treat in room on arrival.
Upgrade & guaranteed late check-out.
2. Locanda al Colle: a homey boutique hotel in Italy’s famous region of Tuscany
Locanda al Colle has a similar vibe to Aethos Saragano with three key differences.
One, you’ll find this quiet boutique hotel in Italy’s Tuscany region, not too far from Massa and Lucca, along the country’s west coast. Two, the medieval village setting is traded for a classic Tuscan farmhouse ambiance.
Finally, Locanda al Colle is just outside the city, so if you’re looking for a bit more to do beyond exploring rural vineyards and hiking trails (not that there’s anything wrong with that), you have more options here.
(Want to know where else to stay in Tuscany, perhaps for a tour? Check out our guide.)
Fora Perks at Locanda al Colle:
25€ food / beverage credit.
Welcome treat in room on arrival.
Upgrade whenever possible.
3. Palazzo Daniele: a supremely stylish boutique hotel combining classic Italian architecture with contemporary decor
One of the coolest boutique hotels in Italy, Palazzo Daniele features a unique style that pays homage to classic Old-World architecture while adopting contemporary decor. And it works: the mix feels decidedly natural and stylish, while ensuring guests feel pampered.
The hotel’s location couldn’t be much better, either. You’ll find Palazzo Daniele right in the middle of Gagliano del Capo, in the Lecce province of Puglia (a.k.a. Apulia), one of the most unique places to visit in Italy.
Want the full lowdown on Palazzo Daniele and Puglia? Connect with Fora to plan and book your trip.
Fora Perks at Palazzo Daniele:
Welcome treat in room on arrival.
Upgrade whenever available.
4. Palazzo Margherita (Bernalda): a five-star hotel in a charming Italian village
Image courtesy of Palazzo Margherita
Owned by acclaimed film director Francis Ford Coppola, Palazzo Margherita is a masterclass in Italian luxury. Each room has a distinct theme and is lavishly decorated with antique furnishings and fine art. With only nine rooms and exceptional service, you can expect an intimate stay defined by refined Italian hospitality.
Meanwhile, Bernalda is a small town in Italy’s Matera region offering a truly authentic experience that travelers who love to get off the beaten path will appreciate.
Fora Perks at Palazzo Margherita:
$100 food / beverage credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
5. Ad Astra: a historic boutique hotel in Florence’s San Frediano neighborhood
If you’re looking for trendy accommodations in one of the best places to visit in Italy, Ad Astra should be a top choice. This lovely boutique hotel in Italy is found just outside the Torrigiani Garden, one of Europe’s largest, in the bustling neighborhood of San Frediano.
Ad Astra is a great choice if you’re keen on staying in a quieter part of Florence without being too far removed from its heart.
Connect with Fora to plan and book your stay at Ad Astra (and to learn where to stay in Florence’s other exciting neighborhoods).
Fora Perks at Ad Astra:
Welcome treat in room on arrival.
Upgrade whenever possible.
6. L'Albereta (a.k.a. The Albereta Relais & Chateaux): a top boutique hotel outside Italy’s fashion capital
L'Albereta is an exceptionally luxurious boutique hotel near Italy’s fashion capital Milan, just outside Bergamo.
Offering a magical retreat from Italy’s most electric city, L'Albereta presents guests with elite accommodations and incredible views of northern Italy’s beautiful countryside. The design is artful and classy, catering to discerning travelers looking for a relaxing sojourn amidst the surrounding hills, vineyards and lakes — all of which can be seen from the hotel’s spacious rooms.
(Eager to stay inside the city instead? Check out where to stay in Milan.)
Fora Perks at L'Albereta:
Complimentary massage for two, per day.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
7. Portrait Roma: a world-class boutique hotel in Italy’s ritzy fashion district
Image courtesy of Portrait Roma
Looking for a high-end luxury hotel in Rome, one of the absolute best places to stay in Italy? You can’t go wrong with Portrait Roma. This elite boutique hotel takes contemporary European luxury to a new level. You won’t find many references to traditional Italian boutique hotel stylings. Instead, Portrait Roma blazes into the 21st century with ultra-modern design elements — all without sacrificing the feel that you’re staying in one the most storied cities in the world.
If you’re looking for a bold boutique hotel at the height of its prime, this is the place for you. The location is stellar and the amenities are top-tier.
That said, while Portrait Roma more than earns its spot among our favorite boutique hotels in Italy, it’s not the best choice for all budgets. This high-class hotel comes with an equally high price tag (that it certainly lives up to). So, if you want more options, check out our guide to where to stay in Rome.
Or better yet, plan and book your trip with Fora for personalized recs that meet your travel preferences.
Fora Perks at Portrait Roma:
Complimentary private airport transfer.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
8. Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
Image courtesy of Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
Arguably topping our list of the best places to stay in Sorrento, Italy, Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria lives up to its grandiose name with uncompromising accommodations in the coolest part of the coastal city. (Seriously, this hotel is amazing.)
Each of the boutique hotel’s 15 rooms is opulently decorated in classic Italian styles — the kind you’d expect in a royal palace — and features unbeatable views of the Bay of Naples along with excellent access to Sorrento’s charming streets.
If you were originally looking for somewhere to stay in Naples, you might consider adjusting your plans to Sorrento. Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is only about one (very scenic) hour away from Naples’ center, and even closer to cool attractions like the Ruins of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.
Fora Perks at Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria:
$100 resort / hotel credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Want to stay at one of the top boutique hotels in Italy (with sweet perks)? Book with Fora
As we said before, there are many more boutique hotels in Italy — including some of the best places to stay in Venice, Verona, Sicily…you get the idea. Connect with Fora to plan and book your trip and we’ll hook you up with all the intel and VIP perks you need to have the trip of a lifetime.
Not sure Italy is your ideal destination? Check out awesome hotels in these destinations, too: