Europe Italy Italy Guide Things To Do Essentials Where to Stay Itineraries Getaways All Italy 10 Romantic Italian Hotels for an Idyllic Getaway Le Sirenuse, an iconic hotel, is our top choice for romance in Italia By Laura Itzkowitz Laura Itzkowitz Freelance Writer & Editor Instagram Twitter Columbia University Smith College Laura Itzkowitz is a freelance writer and editor based in Rome. Her writing has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Architectural Digest, Surface Magazine, and other publications. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 05/17/22 Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Italy and romance are practically synonymous. After all, this is a country that loves love. Italy—and the Amalfi Coast in particular—regularly ranks as one of the world’s top honeymoon destinations. But whether you’re planning a honeymoon, a trip celebrating a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday, or a vacation meant to rekindle a romance, you’ll find plenty of options on our expert list of romantic Italian hotels, from the Dolomites in the north to Sicily in the south. Romantic Hotels and Places to Stay in Italy Best Overall: Le Sirenuse Best Budget: Oltrarno Splendid Best Luxury: Castello di Reschio Best for Foodies: Borgo Petroro Best Historic Hotel: Villa Igiea Best Boutique: Galleria Vik Milano Best Countryside Retreat: Borgo Santo Pietro Best Beach Hotel: Borgo Santandrea Best Lakeside Stunner: Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como Best Mountain Chalet: Hotel La Perla 10 Romantic Italian Hotels for an Idyllic Getaway View All 10 Romantic Italian Hotels for an Idyllic Getaway Le Sirenuse Oltrarno Splendid Castello di Reschio Borgo Petroro Villa Igiea Galleria Vik Milano Borgo Santo Pietro Borgo Santandrea Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como Hotel La Perla Final Verdict The Best Romantic Italian Hotels Methodology Best Overall : Le Sirenuse Le Sirenuse See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This cherry-red hotel perched above scenic Positano is a favorite for proposals and honeymoons. Notable Amenities Michelin-starred restaurant La Sponda, Aldo’s Cocktail Bar & Seafood Grill, Spa designed by renowned architect Gae Aulenti, Outdoor pool, Gym outfitted with the Megaformer, Complimentary boat tours and other activities Pros Central location just steps from Positano’s historic center Outstanding dining options, including the breakfast buffet Attentive staff and helpful concierge Complimentary activities, including excursions on the hotel’s restored fishing boat Cons Pricey, especially in high season Some guests complain of noise from the terrace bar A symbol of la dolce vita, this family-run hotel has rightly earned the status of an icon. It’s one of the original luxury hotels on the Amalfi Coast and still wows guests with friendly, attentive service, a classic coastal design amped up with contemporary art, excellent dining and drinking offerings, and plenty of activities, both on and off the property. Couples can sip Champagne at Aldo’s Bar, enjoy a romantic meal at La Sponda, go for a scenic ride in the hotel’s restored fishing boat, and indulge in a treatment at the Gae Aulenti-designed spa. Just don’t oversleep—the breakfast buffet is worth waking up for. Best Budget : Oltrarno Splendid Oltrarno Splendid See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This intimate boutique hotel delivers quirky, vintage style in Florence’s hip Oltrarno neighborhood. Notable Amenities Buffet breakfast included, helpful concierge, honor bar, clawfoot bathtubs in some rooms Pros Great location in the artsy Oltrarno neighborhood Stylish design featuring vintage furniture Cons No full-service restaurant Front desk not manned after 7:30 p.m. Housed in the top two floors of an 18th-century building, this 14-room boutique hotel has a charmingly eclectic design by Betty Soldi, Matteo and Marco Perduca, and Francesco Maestrelli, who are also behind AdAstra and OltrArno Suites. They’ve restored faded frescoes, dusted off beautiful old chandeliers, and peppered the place with eclectic furniture and decor, including vintage maps, old typewriters, and neon signs. Step outside and you’ll find yourself in one of Florence’s loveliest neighborhoods, where the streets are lined with artsy boutiques and Soldi’s calligraphy studio in Giardini Corsi is a quick walk away. Best Luxury : Castello di Reschio Castello di Reschio See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It A stay at the 1,000-year-old castle on this 3,700-acre estate in rural Umbria will make you feel like a count—it is owned by one, after all. Notable Amenities Stables, tennis court, outdoor swimming pool, bikes and e-bikes for rent, spa with Roman baths, sauna, private treatment room, Ristorante al Castello, Ristorante alle Scuderie, Palm Court Bar Pros Gorgeous design with bespoke furniture and antiques Plenty of recreational activities on the massive estate Scenic outdoor swimming pool Two restaurants and three bars Spa with Roman baths, sauna, and treatment room Cons Everything is expensive Service can be a bit hit or miss No room service Count Benedikt Bolza, a London-trained architect, joined his father in revitalizing this massive estate in 1999, starting with the derelict farmhouses. He and his wife, Donna Nencia Corsini, raised their five children in the castle before transforming it into a luxurious hotel that couldn’t be more picture perfect if it tried. They filled the rooms and public spaces with bespoke furnishings designed by the count himself and precious antiques collected at the antiques fair in Parma. Guests spend their days lounging by the pool, playing tennis, horseback riding, or foraging for wildflowers. Best for Foodies : Borgo Petroro Borgo Petroro See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Michelin-starred chef Oliver Glowig draws foodies to the small village of Todi in Umbria for sublime tasting menus in a medieval castle-turned-hotel. Notable Amenities Gourmet restaurant, wellness center, private jacuzzi in some rooms, swimming pool, e-bikes Pros Gourmet restaurant by a Michelin-starred chef Some suites have a private jacuzzi or sauna Cons You need a car to get there and explore the area Though he was born in Germany, chef Oliver Glowig has spent more than 20 years in Italy, cooking at some of the country’s most luxurious hotels and earning accolades along the way. He recently decamped to Umbia to run Locanda Petreja, the gourmet restaurant at Borgo Petroro. The hotel is set in a medieval castle and in the warmer months, guests can savor Glowig’s sublime tasting menus that make the most of the local produce, enjoyed outside under a covered terrace. Best Historic Hotel : Villa Igiea Villa Igiea See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Palermo’s grand dame was recently reborn following a top-to-bottom renovation that honors its history while bringing it into the present. Notable Amenities Florio restaurant, Igiea Terrazza Bar, Alicetta Pool Bar, pool overlooking the sea, extensive gardens, tennis courts, Irene Forte spa, gym with Technogym equipment Pros Historic hotel full of character Excellent restaurant by a renowned chef Beautiful gardens and pool overlooking the sea Luxurious spa with all-natural products Cons Location is too far to walk to the historic center Expensive, especially in high season Owned by the illustrious Florio family during the early 1900s, this elegant hotel has hosted royalty, dignitaries, and movie stars. Rocco Forte Hotels made sure to honor its rich history, restoring the Art Nouveau murals by Ernesto Basile, hanging archival photographs of the hotel in the small lounge next to the bar, and keeping the overall feel of a classic hotel with modern touches. Couples can relax on the striped lounge chairs by the pool, sip an aperitivo on the terrace, and savor fresh, Mediterranean dishes by acclaimed chef Fulvio Pierangelini during a romantic meal at the restaurant. Best Boutique : Galleria Vik Milano Galleria Vik Milano See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It The dead-center location and contemporary art filling the hotel make it a unique place to stay. Notable Amenities V Bart & Restaurant, I Dodici Gatti Pizzeria, concierge available via WhatsApp Pros Unbeatable location inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Contemporary art throughout the hotel Cons Tiny lobby and not much common space No spa or fitness center Some rooms in this hotel have balconies looking into Milan’s famed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which makes for a once-in-a-lifetime view. A small South American brand run by Carrie and Alex Vik, Vik Retreats are known for their contemporary art and Galleria Vik Milano certainly delivers on that front. There’s art everywhere and even a fun digital photobooth where couples can take photos of themselves for posterity. Best Countryside Retreat : Borgo Santo Pietro Borgo Santo Pietro See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It With old stone buildings spread out over 300 acres, this sprawling Tuscan estate is the epitome of a romantic retreat in the country. Notable Amenities Meo Modo restaurant, Trattoria Sull’Albero, Seed to Skin bath products, extensive gardens, treehouses by the stream, Satori yacht, cooking school, fermentation lab Pros Spacious villas with private pools Michelin-starred restaurant Extensive gardens that provide fresh fruit, veggies, and herbs for the restaurant Sustainable ethos Pampering spa uses the resort’s own skincare line Cons Expensive, especially during high season In a remote area 40 minutes from Siena Danish couple Claus and Jeanette Thottrup originally purchased this property as a vacation home, but it has become their passion project for the past 20 years. The sprawling estate comprises the 800-year-old villa, where guests check in, lounge in the library, and enjoy meals at the Michelin-starred Meo Modo. It also includes a series of villas, each with its own private pool; the casual Trattoria Sull’Albero; a pampering spa; outdoor pool; and extensive organically cultivated vegetable and herb gardens that produce ingredients for the restaurants and botanicals used in the resort’s Seed to Skin skincare line. Guests can even see the chickens that lay the eggs served at breakfast and staff are happy to set up a romantic picnic in one of the treehouses by the stream. Best Beach Hotel : Borgo Santandrea Borgo Santandrea See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This new design-forward hotel is the only property on the Amalfi Coast with a private sandy beach club. Notable Amenities La Libreria gourmet restaurant, casual restaurant Alici with panoramic views, beach club, pool, private jetty, Acqua di Parma bath products Pros Outstanding mid-century-inspired design Beach club with a sandy beach Five restaurants and bars offer plenty of choice Cons Location is a 15-minute drive from the center of Amalfi Expensive, especially in high season The Amalfi Coast is full of romantic hotels, but for couples who want to lounge on a sandy beach, this is the place to stay. It’s the newest five-star hotel on the coast and it happens to be a stunner, with a midcentury-meets-Mediterranean design inspired by Gio Ponti. Guests can enjoy Neapolitan pastries like sfogliatella at breakfast on the terrace, then take the elevator down to the beach club to sunbathe, swim, and savor spaghetti with clams. The hotel’s concierge can charter a boat for excursions on the water and recommend other things to do in the area—if you can tear yourself away from the beach, that is. Best Lakeside Stunner : Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It A stunning design, lovely gardens, and pool floating on the lake make this the most romantic luxury hotel in an area filled with them. Notable Amenities L’Aria restaurant, CO.MO Bar & Bistro, two villas, floating pool on the lake, spa and fitness center, vintage Alfa Romeo Giulietta Pros Gorgeous design Private villas available Two chic restaurants to choose from Pool floating on the lake Pampering spa Cons Expensive, especially in high season Some guests complain about inefficient, unhelpful staff Food at CO.MO Bar & Bistro can be hit or miss Housed in the 18th-century Villa Roccabruna, which was the home of Italian soprano Giuditta Pasta who used to entertain artists and writers like Rossini, Manzoni, and Stendhal, this luxurious hotel now hosts today’s movers and shakers. A revamp by Milan-based designer Eric Egan upped the glam quotient, with bespoke wallpaper and plush modern furnishings that complement the historic details. Some rooms have lake views and balconies, and there are two standalone villas for extra privacy. Best Mountain Chalet : Hotel La Perla Hotel La Perla See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This family-run member of Leading Hotels of the World draws repeat guests for its classic alpine style and impeccable service. Notable Amenities Michelin-starred restaurant La Stüa di Michil, Les Stües half-board restaurant, Bistro La Perla, Osteria L’Murin, Alpine Inn Ladinia, spa with indoor pool and saunas, wine cellar with 30,000 bottles, owner Ernesto Costa’s collection of vintage motorcycles Pros Five restaurants and bars Spa with indoor hydrotherapy pool and saunas Wine cellar tour is an immersive experience Friendly, familial atmosphere Scenic location in the Dolomites Cons No minibars or coffee machines in the rooms Expensive At this family-run mountain chalet in the Dolomites, staff members wear pins with their names on them and guests dining in the half-board restaurant greet each other in Italian or, more often than not, German. The hotel is only 90 minutes from the Austrian border and offers a very different sort of Italian experience than what you find at hotels on the Mediterranean. Alpine style rules here, with cozy wood paneling and quaint textiles throughout. If you want to spend your days skiing on the slopes and then relaxing at the spa or enjoying an après-ski drink, this is a fabulous place to do it. In the summer, the area is known for hiking and cycling. Final Verdict Italy has no shortage of romantic hotels, so the one you choose depends on the kind of experience you’re looking for. Want to stay in the heart of a city? Oltrarno Splendid or Galleria Vik put you in the center of the action. Looking for a bucolic vacation in the countryside? Borgo Santo Pietro and Castello di Reschio are on sprawling estates with plenty of activities to keep you occupied. Dreaming of living la dolce vita on the Amalfi Coast? Le Sirenuse or Borgo Santandrea are the hotels for you. The Best Romantic Italian Hotels Property Resort Fee Rates Free WiFi Le Sirenuse Best Overall No $$$$ Yes Oltrarno Splendid Best Budget No $$ Yes Castello di Reschio Best Luxury No $$$$ Yes Borgo Petroro Best for Foodies No $$ Yes Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel Best Historic Hotel No $$$$ Yes Galleria Vik Milano Best Boutique No $$$$ Yes Borgo Santo Pietro Best Countryside Retreat No $$$$ Yes Borgo Santandrea Best Beach Hotel No $$$$ Yes Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como Best Lakeside Stunner No $$$$ Yes Hotel La Perla Best Mountain Chalet No $$$$ Yes Methodology We evaluated around 50 hotels throughout Italy before settling on the best one for each category. We considered each hotel’s overall reputation, guest reviews, location, quality of service, design, dining and drinking options. Additionally, amenities such as beach clubs, shuttles to get into town, excursions, spa and fitness facilities, concierge services, and free Wifi were taken into account. We also reviewed whether the hotel is new or if it has undergone a recent renovation or update. We relied heavily on our expert’s first-hand experience, but also consulted dozens of guest reviews and considered whether the property has won any awards in recent years. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies