Romantic Italian Hotels

Venice is Italy's top romantic destination and its especially romantic at night. If you're heading to Venice for romance, you'll probably want to stay in a romantic hotel. Here are six of Venice's most romantic places to stay.

Casa Angelina is a highly rated hotel built into the cliffs above the sea on the scenic Amalfi Coast. Boasting fantastic views, the hotel has a spa, restaurant, pool, and panoramic elevator to take guests down to their private beach.

Hotel Lungarno, overlooking the Arno River, is one of Florence's most romantic hotels. Rooms are luxuriously furnished and some have fantastic views. The 4-star hotel is a member of the Salvatore Ferragamo Company - Ferragamo Store, Museum, hotels, and restaurants.

Hotel Eden is a luxurious historic hotel off the famous Via Veneto. My front-facing room with a fantastic view had two small balconies and a large, romantic marble bathroom (be sure to reserve a front-facing room if you want a view). The restaurant and bar on the top floor are known for having some of the best panoramic views in the city. A less expensive choice with a fantastic view is the 3-star Albergo del Senato facing the Pantheon.

Santavenere is a 5-star luxury hotel perched above the sea on the stunning Maratea coast, a not so touristy seaside location south of the Amalfi Coast. Santavenere's extensive grounds include a beautiful park with walking paths down to the sea, a seawater swimming pool with poolside bar and restaurant, spa, and restaurant with terrace serving breakfast and dinner.

Hotel La Darsena is a small, 3-star hotel right on the lake with a private dock and panoramic terrace. Not all rooms have a lake view though, so be sure you request a room with a view. One of our readers who stayed here said, "The rooms are romantic and quaint, the food divine, and there is nothing so wonderful as cuddling up next to that special someone late at night, on the terrazzo, as the moon glistens on the dark waters of Como."

Once the summer residence of the Italian royal family, Villa las Tronas Hotel and Spa is now a small 5-star hotel. Beautifully located in a park surrounded by the sea on three sides, the hotel has a view of Alghero and is just a short walk from the historic center. Also at Villa las Tronas are a spa with indoor seawater swimming pool, outdoor seasonal pool, and panoramic restaurant. The picturesque town of Alghero, with its Catalan influence, is one of Sardinia's top destinations.

Villa Mangiacane is a 15th century villa that has been converted into a luxurious hotel in the Tuscan countryside seven miles from Florence. Some rooms have their own private garden and plunge pool, offering real privacy, and the Royal Suite has its own private jacuzzi and steam room. The spacious grounds provide ample opportunity for privacy, too, and from the terraces there are spectacular views.

Masseria Torre Coccaro is a farm estate manor house that has been beautifully renovated to create a 5-star luxury resort with with spa, swimming pool, restaurants, a nine-hole golf course, and private beach. Some rooms and suites have private swimming pool or jacuzzi, fireplace, sea views, or private terrace or garden. The lunch I had was fantastic and served in a romantic outdoor setting. Guests can also take cooking classes.

What could be more romantic than a stay in Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, in a hotel overlooking the courtyard of Juliet's house and famous balcony? Relais de Charme il Sogno di Giulietta is a 4-star hotel with sixteen rooms and suites decorated with art, charming furniture, and antique rugs. Some rooms have a view of Juliet's balcony, some bathrooms have a jacuzzi tub, and suites have a four-poster bed.

For a more intimate choice, try Le Suite di Giulietta, with only 3 rooms. It's in a 15th century mansion right by Juliet's house.

Many of Italy's castles have been renovated and turned into hotels, bed and breakfast inns, or vacation apartments. If your idea of romance is living like a king or queen, consider staying in a castle.