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This year sees the first ever edition of the World’s 50 Best Hotels crowning the top 50 hotels across the world. A panel of 580 global industry experts nominated and voted for their top hotel selections, resulting in this excitingly varied list that includes both legacy luxury groups and small boutique properties.
Five Italian hotels were named, and the best hotel in the world was awarded to an 18th-century property on Lake Como. Read on to see who was recognized for representing excellence in Italian hospitality.
#21. Borgo Egnazia (Savelletri, Apulia)
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Located halfway between Bari and Brindisi, Borgo Egnazia has the appearance of an Apulian village, but was only recently built in 2009— featuring fortifications made from immaculate tufu limestone, a church and belltower, and even a quaint central piazza. The hotel itself is made up of casette stone cottages, 30 villas, and even individual rooms in the main La Corte country house. The estate is home to five restaurants that serve traditional Italian fare, and also has access to two private beaches. It has been consistently highly rated by Condé Nast Traveler.
#20. Le Sirenuse (Positano, Campania)
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Opened in 1951 by the four Sersale siblings, the hotel remains as a family business even until today. The bold ‘Pompei red’ exterior of Le Sirenuse stands out from the other houses on the cliffside, paid homage to by the hotel’s signature namesake cocktail, thanks to generous lashings of Campari mixed with gin, lemon juice, and champagne. Each of the 58 rooms of the hotel have a private balcony or patio that overlooks the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea. It is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World group, and was the Forbes Travel Guide Star Award Winner for 2020.
#14. Aman Venice (Venice, Veneto)
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A short walk from Piazza San Marco, located right under the Rialto bridge in a 16th-century palazzo, the Aman Venice manages to blend the romance of the old city with the modern minimalism of the luxury brand. The hotel overlooks the Grand Canal, and even has a hidden jetty entrance (not just for VIP guests). The 24-room property is an elevated experience, with the grandest Alcova Tiepolo Suite housing the stunning 18th-century frescoes of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.
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#9. Four Seasons Firenze (Florence, Tuscany)
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Tucked away in the historic Gherardesca gardens, the restored 15th-century Medici palazzo comes to life with the Four Seasons touch. The 116 rooms are divided between the main Palazzo della Gherardesca and the Villa (a hotel-within-a-hotel building with its own butler and reception service), and includes a well-appointed outdoor pool set against the manicured gardens of the 11-acre property. It is located a comfortable distance from the crowds of Florence’s centro storico, but guests can be ferried to and from the hotel by their dedicated shuttle service, or even borrow bikes for a day at their own pace.
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#1. Passalacqua (Moltrasio, Lombardy)
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Former home of composer Vincenzo Bellini, the 18th-century lakefront villa Passalacqua houses 24 rooms furnished in an elegant Baroque style with original frescoes, ceiling carvings, Murano chandeliers, and Il Bronzetto light fittings. The rooms are spread out over three buildings on the seven-acre property, which also includes terraced gardens with olive groves, mimosa, roses, and magnolias, and a pool terrace perfect for stunning summer days. Slip away via a secret tunnel to the underground sauna and steam bath, and emerge back into the sunlight for a trip across Lake Como on one of the hotel’s two boats.