Every region and major city in Italy has more than a few unique hotels in settings that will mesmerize the tourist.
Many hotels are near restaurants or have a built-in restaurant for convenience. Some are known for their picturesque designs (both architecture and decor) as well as the landscapes where they sit. Below are some fabulous hotels along with detailed descriptions about their special features to help the traveler who's looking for something beyond ordinary.
Lap of Luxury in the Alps of Italy
La Perla Corvara, Italy
Located high in the Dolomites, the South Tyrolean lodge called La Perla is located in Corvara, a friendly Alpine village that's near the Swiss border. The lodge has traditional rooms with rustic wood furniture, decorative headboards and printed fabrics. The hotel resembles a typical Swiss lodge, with a dining area that has all wood paneling and timbered ceilings. The walls are lined with wine bottles. There's also an unusual motorcycle museum at the resort that has antique bikes on display! The resort is just over 100 miles from Venice.
Guests at La Perla enjoy the daring view of the Dolomite peaks, snowshoeing and skiing activities, and also hiking
during warm weather. There are Turkish baths, a jacuzzi and saunas as well as an indoor-outdoor pool. This is a fun and relaxing place to rest during your Italy tour.
Vigilius Mountain Resort South Tyrol, Italy
This resort sits at the top of a mountain in South Tyrol in the Alps, near the Italian-Austrian border. Don't want to drive up the mountain? You won't have to because this resort is accessible by cable car only – 1500 meters up!
The hotel is modern in design with stone and concrete on lots of plain wood. If you want remote, this is the place to be.
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento, Italy
This hotel is located high on a cliff that overlooks the harbor in Sorrento. The hotel is actually three villas, each built in the 1800s. The hotel has been restored, but still maintains its original design. Ornate frescoes on the ceilings of a few suites and unique furniture give the hotel its unique beauty.
There are two restaurants. One is a traditional dining room with a 19th century elegant style. The other is a terrace restaurant that has a tremendous view of the harbor. Guests staying during the summer months might get to dine by candlelight on the Vittoria Terrace as a small orchestra plays music. The hotel offers a private elevator, which transports guests to the harbor. Boats are also available for hire here.
Il San Pietro di Positano Positano, Italy
For those not afraid of heights, this unusual hotel descends with each level down a cliffside. The views of the sea can be enjoyed from each room and terrace to the max because the hotel is built alongside the cliff only one room deep. Each room has its own private terrace. This makes for a very relaxing and quiet getaway.
The entrance of the hotel is actually a small chapel from the 17th century that was devoted to San Pietro. There is a restaurant on top of the hotel that serves Italian cuisine and offers more stunning views of the Gulf of Salerno. There's also a swimming pool that has been carved into the cliffside. A lift can be taken from the hotel lobby down to a private beach and seaside cocktail bar.
Grand Hotel Quisisana Capri, Italy
The Grand Hotel Quisisana is where many supermodels, actors and other members of the elite go to hide away. Located in the popular city of Capri, this hotel resembles a habitat for the rich and famous with its 19th century design, endless mirrors and amazing floors. A pool and outdoor cafe are available.
Caesar Augustus Hotel Capri, Italy
Sitting above the Bay of Naples, 1000 feet above, is this classic hotel with its unmatching views of the bay. The rooms are welcoming with bright modern bathrooms and private balconies. There is a restaurant on a terrace that overlooks the bay also. It offers stylish comfort and a beautiful view all in one package!
The Capri Palace Anacapri, Italy
A hotel with Roman Empire elegance and a stunning view of the sea, the Capri Palace welcomes guests to gorgeous rooms with chandeliers, tile and marble baths and canopy beds. Luxury is an understatement at this hotel. Even outside the hotel is a well-kept garden. A pool and spa are available for relaxation. The hotel offers a penthouse suite and also an apartment-style suite for long stays that has its own garden and pool.
Don't settle for second best on your trip. If you don't see a unique hotel above for the area you plan to visit, use online resources and searches to find other dream resorts in Italy! Choice Hotels, Unique Settings for the Italy Traveler
San Domenico Palace Hotel Taormina, Sicily, Italy
For a luxury vacation in Sicily, tourists enjoy staying at the San Domenico Palace. It sits on a hill above Taormina and offers lovely views of the volcanic peak of Mount Etna as well as the Ionian Sea. The hotel is in a 15th century monastery with beautiful terraces and gardens. Although the building is ancient, the interior is not. The marble bathrooms are very modern as are the fixtures and amenities. Guests enjoy lounging in the pool during the summer, or dining at one of three restaurants that each serve a broad range of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Hotel Eden Rome, Italy
When in Rome, many tourists choose to stay at Hotel Eden, even Hemingway and Ingrid Bergman! With over a hundred rooms, Hotel Eden is far from small, but gives guests a feeling of seclusion, like a stay in a private residence. It's just a few blocks from the Spanish Steps, a main tourist area in Rome.
The rooms are classic and offer striking views of the city. Antique furnishings and corniced ceilings blend with modern design to give an elegant appearance. Nearby there are great shopping areas, attractions, sights and restaurants for fine dining.
Hotel Forty Seven Rome, Italy
Hotel Forty Seven is a place for art lovers with Italian art from the 20th century on each floor. The rooms have comfortable furnishings, satellite television and Internet connections. Twenty-four hour room service is also available. Atop the hotel is a restaurant that overlooks ancient Rome, where guests can enjoy a delicious Mediterranean dinner.
Hotel Capo d'Africa Rome, Italy
This hotel offers spacious, decorative rooms with high ceilings, painted in warm, bright colors. The furnishings are modern although the building was once a school in the early 20th century. The neighborhood is quiet, and there is a rooftop terrace that's a great place to relax. Just a few blocks from the hotel is the Colosseum.
Hotel Gritti Palace Venice, Italy
This is a gorgeous hotel that was once a palace in Venice. It's just steps away from San Marco, but located far enough from the roar of traffic to give guests a peaceful stay. The Terrazza restaurant at the hotel offers a terrific view of the Grand Canal.
Hotel Spadari al Duomo Milan, Italy
The Hotel Spadari al Duomo has a middle name – and that name is "fashion." Designers often set up at this hotel for furniture fairs, making it a favorite place to stay for those in the fashion industry. The rooms are comfortable with custom-made furniture for a unique appeal. Some rooms offer a view of the Duomo cathedral. There are beautiful contemporary paintings hanging on the walls.
Grand Hotel et de Milan Milan, Italy
An elegant hotel in Milan that has lovely rooms with period furniture and rich fabrics. The La Scala theater is just a short walk from the hotel.
La Sommita Relais Culti Ostuni, Puglia, Italy
La Sommita Relais Culti is a hotel that does not look like much on the outside, and the rooms are very discrete. This is an unusual hotel that has only nine suites, with each suite appearing to be the only one around. This is the place to stay for those needing seclusion or who want to grasp what it's like living in a place like Ostuni.
Grand Hotel Continental Siena, Italy
Once an aristocratic residence, the Grand Hotel Continental is the most luxurious hotel in Siena. It's located just off the pedestrian street of Piazza del Campo in the heart of Siena. Although the building has been restored, the original details remain. The hotel has a grand ballroom, a splendid restaurant and a wine bar. The rooms are designed with frescoed ceilings, paintings and unique furnishings while also offering the modern conveniences of satellite television and Internet access.
Lungarno Suites Florence, Italy
This hotel adds modern elegance to Florence with three stylish hotels. The suites are apartment-style with kitchenettes and refrigerators, and are also very spacious. The hotel's location makes it easy for guests to explore the city. Families will appreciate the extra space! A dream vacation in Italy doesn't have to be bland, and neither do the accommodations!
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