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7 of Italy's most beautiful luxury hotels
Discover Plume's selection in Italy
A jewel of Europe, Italy has much to offer, starting with its luxury hotels: a 14th-century convent transformed into a palace on a Sicilian cliff, a secret garden in the heart of Rome, a pool that blends seamlessly with the Ionian Sea, palazzi transformed by chef Guy Martin… the choices are endless.
Unique and one-of-a-kind, each establishment tells a story, bearing the traces of a glorious past, a memorable heritage, and breathtaking architecture.
Here are our favorites, from Rome to Sicily, via Puglia and the Amalfi Coast. It’s Plume’s Choice
Reschio Hotel, a luxury hotel designed and refined down to the smallest detail, nestled in the heart of the Tuscan countryside
On the hidden border between Tuscany and Umbria, a circular fortified castle dating back to 1050 presides over a 1,560-hectare estate of rolling hills and valleys—the perfect setting for those seeking to retreat from the world in style. The 35-room hotel that now occupies it combines slow travel with grand luxury: a 40-horse stud farm, tennis courts, a panoramic restaurant, and, at the heart of it all, an oval swimming pool—flat and linear like a work of art designed by the owner-architect, Count Benedikt Bolza—which is in itself reason enough to make the detour. Maintained at 28°C, it serves as a remarkable mirror for the château and the surrounding umbrella pines in an almost surreal setting. For the more adventurous, a natural lake with a dock invites a few laps before a lunch prepared on site. Starting at €2,900 per night.
Plume’s Selection: to experience an extraordinary Italian estate where time seems to stand still, evoking the era of knights and romance with a modern twist. Nestled in unspoiled natural surroundings, Reschio captivates with a rare balance of heritage, architecture, lifestyle, and absolute discretion. An exceptional destination for those seeking the beauty of wide-open spaces, the tranquility, and the elegance of modern luxury perfectly integrated into its surroundings.
Passalacqua Lake Como: Italian luxury at its finest
Passalacqua is one of the most exclusive destinations on Lake Como. Housed in an 18th-century villa lovingly restored by the De Santis family, this property—featuring just 24 suites—celebrates the finest Italian craftsmanship through its hand-painted frescoes, precious marbles, Venetian chandeliers, and gardens that slope down to the lake. Voted Best Hotel in the World in 2023 and then Best Boutique Hotel and Best Hotel in Europe in 2025, it captivates guests as much with its exceptional refinement as with its intimate, family-home atmosphere. Its iconic pool lined with scalloped umbrellas facing the lake, its restaurant led by Chef Viviana Varese, and its spa carved out of the property’s old tunnels complete the experience.
Starting at €1,500 per night
Plume’s Pick: to experience Italian elegance at its finest. Passalacqua combines heritage, craftsmanship, romance, and exceptional hospitality in a setting that seems straight out of a dream. A rare gem where every detail tells the story of Italy and where luxury is expressed with grace, discretion, and emotion.
Read the full article on Passalacqua
The Hotel de Russie, a hidden gem in the heart of Rome
Located between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo, the Hotel de Russie is one of those iconic Roman destinations that people talk about even before they’ve visited. Cocteau, Picasso, Diaghilev, and Nijinsky all stayed here, and the 122 rooms—decorated by Olga Polizzi, sister of Sir Rocco Forte—blend contemporary style with history. The highlight of the experience takes place in the secret garden, where chef Fulvio Pierangelini sets an intimate table surrounded by trees and water lilies, in the purest Roman tradition. At the Stravinsky Bar, designer Delfina Delettrez Fendi has created the Cone 925, a solid silver cone filled with a caper, tequila, and mint sorbet, while the new Forte Vita Bar offers signature Irene Forte Skincare express treatments between visits to the Eternal City. The Nijinsky Suite, with 172 m² of space and a 239 m² rooftop terrace overlooking Rome, embodies the Dolce Vita in a single setting. Starting at €1,270 per night.
Plume’s pick: to experience timeless Roman elegance. Behind its discreet façade, the Hôtel de Russie cultivates a rare art of living where history, culture, and contemporary refinement intersect. Its secret garden, a true oasis in the heart of Rome, makes it one of the city’s most desirable addresses for savoring the Dolce Vita away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Four Seasons San Domenico Palace: a luxury hotel straight out of a movie
Made famous by the second season of *The White Lotus*, this 14th-century Dominican convent—converted into a luxury hotel in 1896—perches on a cliff in Taormina between the Ionian Sea and the silhouette of Mount Etna. The 111 rooms and suites blend marble and precious woods with understated elegance, but it is the cliffside infinity pool—with its now-iconic striped umbrellas—that remains the property’s most coveted feature, offering the Teatro Antico and the volcano as a backdrop. For a more intimate dolce vita, 19 suites feature their own private pool and jacuzzi. The “Eat the Volcano” experience invites guests to explore Sicilian terroir and its exceptional wines—the perfect way to end the night in the water, under the stars.
Starting at €600 per night.
Plume’s Pick: Treat yourself to a taste of Sicily, immerse yourself in its history and spectacular landscapes, all with a touch of cinema. Overlooking Taormina Bay and facing Mount Etna, the San Domenico Palace combines the charm of a former monastery, the elegance of a grand Italian palace, and one of the most breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. A legendary destination where guests come as much for the atmosphere as for the rare feeling of living in a timeless setting.
Read the full article about the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace
Miramalfi in Amalfi, Blue Grotto diving
On the Amalfi Coast, the Miramalfi has made blue its signature color—from the headboards to the beach club’s umbrellas, not to mention the view of the Mediterranean that stretches as far as the eye can see from each of the 40 rooms at this member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection. Perched on the rockside, the saltwater pool lets you immerse yourself in the scenery without facing the vertigo of the open sea, while the Azur Lounge Bar offers inventive cuisine in the colors of the south—valerian couscous, pan-seared prawns, and baby spinach—paired with an eponymous cocktail made with vodka, gin, vetiver, and basil. A five-star hotel that understands that Italian slow travel combines a blue escape with Mediterranean gastronomy. Starting at €750 per night.
Plume’s Pick: for one of the most beautiful getaways on the Amalfi Coast.
Perched between sky and sea, the Miramalfi celebrates the Mediterranean way of life at its most radiant, with spectacular views, relaxed elegance, and the ever-present color blue as its guiding theme. An ideal spot to slow down, savor Italian charm, and gaze out at the Mediterranean from morning to night.
The Hotel Palazzo Talia, like a set from an Italian film
In a 16th-century palazzo that once housed the Collegio Nazareno, Luca Guadagnino, director of *Challengers* and *Queer*, has realized an architect’s dream by opening this 25-room boutique hotel, a creation of his own studio. The result mirrors his films: elegant, sensual, and full of life. Reimagined four-poster beds sit alongside wall sconces designed by the Micheluzzi sisters, rising stars of Venetian glassmaking, in a setting conceived with Laura Feroldi and Marianna Lubrano Lavadera. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Palazzo Talìa pays homage to the great tradition of Italian cinema, from Fellini to Sorrentino, while perfectly embodying the creative revival of contemporary Rome. Starting at €850 per night.
Plume’s pick: to stay at one of Rome’s most creative addresses. With its aristocratic heritage, contemporary design, and nods to the great Italian cinema, Palazzo Talìa appeals to travelers who appreciate aesthetics, architecture, and spaces driven by a true artistic vision. A unique and deeply inspiring Roman destination.
At Guy Martin's in Salento: La Dolce Vita in Apulia, French-style
In Nardò, in the heart of Salento, chef Guy Martin has breathed new life into several historic palaces, transforming them into elegant guesthouses. With their Baroque architecture, works of art, antique furniture, and local materials, Palazzo Matteo, Palazzo Muci, and Palazzo Maritati offer a personal take on Italian hospitality—that of Guy Martin, who welcomes guests into his home, captivated by the old-world elegance and historical treasures of these palaces.
The newest, Palazzo Matteo, is spectacular. Listed as a historic monument, it houses six spacious suites beneath impressive Salentine vaults, decorated with works of art, design pieces, and furniture by Gio Ponti, Le Corbusier, and Ettore Sottsass. On the roof, a panoramic terrace features a unique hot tub overlooking the rooftops of Nardò, offering a stunning panoramic view of the city in complete privacy.
More than just a stay, these addresses invite you to discover the aesthetic world of the French chef and his wife Katherina Marx, both passionate collectors. A unique getaway in Puglia, blending art de vivre, heritage, and Mediterranean charm.
Starting at 120 euros per night.
Plume’s Pick: For lovers of art, design, and charming homes off the beaten path.
Read the full article on Guy Martin’s palazzi
