Discover the best small luxury hotels and exclusive villas in Italy — from elegant city stays to serene countryside retreats

In Italy, luxury is not defined by opulence alone but by the effortless elegance of its landscapes, the timeless craftsmanship of its architecture, and the sensuous rhythm of daily life. From the marble-swathed villas of Lake Como to the sun-baked masserias of Puglia, this is a country where style is a birthright and hospitality an art form. Our curated collection of the best small luxury hotels and villas in Italy spans from the palazzos of Florence to the cliffside hideaways of the Amalfi Coast, each handpicked for its refined aesthetic, impeccable service, and true sense of place. Think frescoed ceilings, antique terracotta floors, linen-draped beds, and gardens perfumed with lemon blossom or wild rosemary. You’ll find contemporary design harmoniously set within centuries-old walls, as well as self-catering holiday homes where the views are as inspiring as the interiors. Whether tucked in a medieval hilltop village, surrounded by vineyards, or overlooking the crystalline waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, these luxury retreats invite slow mornings, al fresco dinners, and the quiet joy of Italian life lived well. Each place in our collection has been selected for its style, soul, and unmistakable Italian charm.


Our updated list of small luxury hotels, 5-star boutique retreats, and exclusive villas in Italy:

Our short listed lodgings
Below you will find some more lovely accommodations we have recently discovered and that we will publish soon. You can book them through booking.com in the meantime.
  • Bed and Breakfast & self-catering - High Budget
    Borgo 69 Villas and Suites is a luxurious retreat located in Tuscany, near Cortona. Surrounded by stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Borgo 69 provides easy access to medieval towns, including the village of Pozzo della Chiana, known from the film Under the Tuscan Sun. On-site amenities include a swimming pool, spa treatments, and wellness experiences.
    • Countryside
    • |
    • 11 rooms
    • |
    • from 380 EUR info
  • Luxury Hotel - High Budget
    Casa Nostra is a chic luxury hotel in the heart of Palermo, set within a restored early‑19th‑century palazzo. With just 12 individually styled rooms, a secret courtyard pool, discreet spa and rooftop Jacuzzi terrace, it offers elegant calm amid the city’s vibrant historic quarter.
    • City
    • |
    • 12 rooms
    • |
    • from 330 EUR info
  • Country Hotel - Medium Budget
    What's special about this lovely Sicilian hotel is that you don't have to choose between a peaceful countryside holiday or a wonderful beach holiday. This boutique hotel offers both. Situated on a large estate in the Vendicari nature reserve, it has several beautifully designed rooms and a flourishing garden with pool, set in thirty hectares of lemon groves and just a few steps from the beach.
    • Countryside
    • |
    • 6 rooms
    • |
    • from 248 EUR info
  • Luxury Hotel - Luxury
    Once a noble manor, Dimore delle Balze stands among olive trees and rolling hills in the Iblea Valley. Built in 1886, the estate has been restored to uncover its original character, combining contemporary design with neoclassical elements and boho-chic style. Stepping through its gates, you are greeted by a saltwater pool, a fragrant garden with 150 types of plants, a terrace overlooking a boulevard of carob trees, and windows facing the Noto Valley.
    • Countryside
    • |
    • 11 rooms
    • |
    • from 516 EUR info
  • Design Hotel - Luxury
    At Elizabeth Unique Hotel Rome ancient stories interlace with modern ones, hospitality is a generous and genuine embrace. The hotel’s cosmopolitan and not conventional atmosphere seems to evoke memories of the first modern explorers who during their ‘grand tours’ came down to Rome and were especially charmed by centuries of history, art and culture. Here, just a few minutes from the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, in the heart of the city, travel is celebrated as an unprecedented and versatile experience.
    • City
    • |
    • 33 rooms
    • |
    • from 490 EUR info
  • Bed and Breakfast - Medium Budget
    A 19th-century palace just steps away from the iconic Piazza Maggiore. Gregorini Bingham Art Luxury Suites is a bed & breakfast that reinvents hospitality with splendid decor, where contemporary art blends seamlessly with classic Italian style. Each suite has its own character, yet all are spacious, with high ceilings and simply stunning
    • City
    • |
    • 7 rooms
    • |
    • from 171 EUR info
  • Boutique Hotel - High Budget
    The Hotel Principe di Salina is a charming boutique hotel in Malfa on the island of Salina. Surrounded by vineyards, it offers 12 individually designed rooms with private terraces and sea views. Guests can relax in the freshwater pool or in the thermal pool with hydromassage and enjoy the breathtaking sunsets over the Mediterranean.
    • Island
    • |
    • 14 rooms
    • |
    • from 231 EUR info
  • Boutique Hotel - Luxury
    If you are looking for a special place situated along the picturesque Naviglio Grande canal, you should definitely stay at Maison Borella. Distinguished by its unique architectural style typical of Milan this charming boutique hotel has an elegant design offering guests sophistication. With easy access to the city's cultural landmarks, trendy boutiques, and nightlife. Each room is meticulously decorated with refined taste, some of them face right on the canal, or at the charming winter garden.
    • Historic Quarters
    • |
    • 24 rooms
    • |
    • from 280 EUR info
  • Country Hotel - Medium Budget
    The Masseria dei Monaci offers rustic luxury in a historic Apulian country estate. The rooms are individually designed, with original stone walls and modern touches that ensure stylish comfort. Surrounded by olive groves and Mediterranean gardens, the accommodation invites you to relax and explore the surrounding nature.
    • Coast
    • |
    • 14 rooms
    • |
    • from 164 EUR info
  • Boutique Hotel - Medium Budget
    Each of the seven rooms features such unique character that choosing one will be quite the task. This charming 'palazzetto' is filled with exquisite antiques and eclectic décor. The lounge includes a fireplace and an open kitchen, and there's a lush garden brimming with trees and plants, all just a short stroll from the historic centre of Florence.
    • Historic Quarters
    • |
    • 7 rooms
    • |
    • from 150 EUR info
  • Boutique Hotel - Luxury
    Are you looking for pure luxury and design for your holiday accommodation? At Palazzo Albricci Peregrini in the historic city of Como, you'll find just that. The architects have used a lot of concrete and contemporary design to enhance the old historic building in which the hotel is located. Minimalist décor and choice materials allow you to dive into a unique world of luxury on the shores of Lake Como.
    • Village
    • |
    • 11 rooms
    • |
    • from 306 EUR info
  • Boutique Hotel - High Budget
    Palazzo Artemide is located in the historic heart of Ortigia, Syracuse. This boutique hotel features stylish rooms overlooking a quiet courtyard or the charming streets of the old town. Enjoy Sicilian specialties at the on-site restaurant and relax with a drink at the cozy bar.
    • Historic Quarters
    • |
    • 40 rooms
    • |
    • from 287 EUR info
  • Bed and Breakfast - Luxury
    This B&B is truly unique; it’s not every day that you’re invited into a 500-year-old palace in the historic heart of Bologna. Shelves filled with books that reach the ceiling, silk-draped windows, Renaissance furnishings. Christina and Pietro welcome you into their own home, surrounded by art, comfort, and an exceptional breakfast. Highly recommended, but please note that parking is restricted in the historic centre.
    • Historic Quarters
    • |
    • 6 rooms
    • |
    • from 500 EUR info
  • Country Hotel - High Budget
    Relais Roncolo 1888 is your home away from home in the Emilian countryside. Situated in the upper part of an imposing estate, the Relais is a picturesque borgo, centred around the Italian gardens of the historic Villa Manodori. The buildings and rooms dating from the 17th century have been renovated with care and respect for traditional features following a multi-year restoration, and allow guests to spend a relaxing stay.
    • Countryside
    • |
    • 12 rooms
    • |
    • from 385 EUR info
  • Luxury Hotel - Luxury
    Imagine Sicilian baroque combined with unapologetic boutique chic and you will get a inkling of the effortlessly luxurious style of Seven Rooms Villadoratam. Set within a honey-hued palazzo in Noto, it’s all frescoed ceilings, swoon-worthy views, and enough marble to make the Romans jealous. Each room feels like a love letter to timeless elegance, with a modern wink that whispers, “Yes, you’re fabulous.”
    • Village
    • |
    • 7 rooms
    • |
    • from 419 EUR info

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