The Aman Venice, hidden away on the Grand Canal, is a hotel beloved by celebrities for its privacy, authenticity, magnificent art and opulence.

Capri Tiberio Palace is a whimsical boutique hotel just a few minutes walk to the piazzetta with sweeping ocean views, pop-art design and a low-key vibe.

Belmond Hotel Caruso, located in the hills of Ravello, is a choice destination for travelers looking for peace and sanctuary above the Amalfi Coast, Italy.

The world-famous Belmond Hotel Cipriani offers a resort experience in Venice on Giudecca Island, a five-minute boat ride from San Marco.

Built in 1892 for a wealthy Italian family, the waterfront Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli has since become one of Italy’s premier five-star properties.

Honeymooners, couples and families looking for luxury in the heart of Taormina will find it at Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina, Sicily.

For its 2013 reopening, the Gritti Palace -- a Venecian Grand Canal icon housed in a 15th-century building turned into a luxury hotel in 1895 -- was meticulously renovated to introduce contemporary amenities alongside Rubelli fabrics, delicate Murano glassworks and the stunning restored terrazzo floors.

Near Piazza de Popolo and the Spanish steps, the Hotel de Russie by Rocco Forte is one of Rome's most stylish, well-located hotels.

One of the most luxurious hotels in Rome, Hotel Eden set the standard for excellence when it opened in 1889; now, it is managed by Dorchester Collection.

Carved into the rocky coastline of Tuscany’s Monte Argentario peninsula, Il Pellicano hotel showcases sea views with old-world pomp.

A short drive from Positano, Italy and perched on the edge of a stunning cliff 240 feet above the sea, the sprawling Il San Pietro has some of the best views along the coast. The fantastic outdoor spaces include a large terrace where cocktails are served; a separate pool patio; and beautifully planted gardens.

Perched on a cliffside between the harbor and Capri Town, J.K. Place has sweeping views and only 22 beautifully appointed rooms.

The sixty-two-room Le Sirenuse is built into the steep hillside of Positano and exudes an uncanny mix of serenity and elegance in the midst of the town’s sometimes overrun and overheated streets.

A small luxury hotel in a former convent right on the Amalfi Coast, Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa is still a bit of a secret address.

With a premier location and views of the iconic Lake Como, Passalacqua is a dreamy sister property to the iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo.

A Ferragamo family-owned hideaway in Tuscany, Italy, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco hotel has a golf course, stables and impeccable amenities.

The Belmond Hotel Splendido in Portofino, Italy has always been a seaside hideaway for style icons (like Elizabeth Taylor), with a distinct sense of place.

The first summer home built on the shores of Lake Como, Villa d’Este is now one of the most indulgent waterfront resorts in all of Italy—and Europe.

Reopening Summer 2021 under the Rocco Forte brand, Villa Igiea is the must-stay property in Palermo thanks to its seaside location and bustling vibe.

A few doors down from the Hotel Gutkowski, the Agila is larger (with 30 rooms) and offers a few more services and amenities (including larger rooms and room service). Get one of the larger suites, some of which come with terraces, and enjoy the sea views and the prime location in walking distance to Ortygia’s pretty maze of streets. One day and night in Syracuse is enough to have a great lunch, tour the Greek Theater, stroll along the beautiful Piazza del Duomo at dusk and have a wonderful Sicilian dinner.

If ever there was a hotel that fully embodies the aesthetic of a fashion icon, it would be the Armani Hotel Milano. Situated atop Giorgio Armani’s flagship store, at the entrance of famed shopping street Via Montenapoleone, this hotel made a huge splash when it opened in 2011 and remains one of the most difficult to book during the high season, especially fashion week.

Its vividly personal design philosophy makes absolutely no compromises—from the overall architecture (the footprint of the hotel is in the shape of an “A”) to the smallest details (black shower caps), guests here are unmistakably in the word of Signore Armani. It's Zen, minimalist and undeniably sexy, without a single superfluous flourish or adornment—just like a perfect little black dress.

Instead of checking in on the ground floor, visitors are whisked to the seventh floor where massive window walls clad in solar-paneled blinds showcase expansive views across the rooftops of Milan, all the way towards the Duomo. The ambience is hushed, the lighting dim, and the color palate a muted mix of gold and silver, of black and red onyx. Suffice it to say that you feel like you should dress up for the hotel, and that anything other than heels won't do to catwalk down the polished black floors.

The 95 rooms and suites are located on floors two through six, so guests take an elevator down (reminiscent of hotels in Asia), then make their way through darkened hallways dotted with discreet doorways secured by touch panels. The accommodations start at a sizable 480 square-feet, and while masculine at the core, interiors maintain a sense of warmth, furnished with sensual leather, marble and raw silk dipped in neutral hues of grays, creams and browns. The furniture hails from Armani Casa, of course, and the beds in particular are extremely comfortable. Bathrooms are massive and have an Asian-bathhouse vibe, with smooth stone floors, spacious vanities and a separate bathtub and shower. Several floor-to-ceiling mirrors remind that you're staying in the house of a fashion designer (as does the lack of drawers in the room; apparently, everything in a style-maven's closet should be hung up). Some of the rooms on the sixth-floor come with balconies with vistas of the city, and the duplex Signature Suites offer either a private cinema or an in-room gym.

Public spaces are impressive, in particular the top-floor, 13,000-square-foot Armani Spa. There are six treatment rooms, a glass-enclosed relaxation pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center, but best are the white-leather relaxation loungers set in front of the window walls, surely one of the best vantage point from which to view Milan.

Comprised of three separate buildings and a set of seven villas, the sprawling Augustus sits two streets behind the beach (no hotels in Forte de Marmi are actually on the beach), and its verdant landscaping, hedge-enclosed pool and interior dining courtyard offer a lush and quiet oasis from the fashionable crowds lounging on the beach and strolling about town. Guests can enjoy a newly redone and sizeable gym, a family-friendly pool and a variety of spa treatments on property.

A quirk of the Augustus is the wide variety in the style of rooms. The primary building, Villa Pesenti, has the convenience of being located near all of the hotel’s main facilities. A few steps away, the annexed La Nave building mimics the structure and visual panache of a ship, with open-air corridors, nautical themed bedrooms and colorful tile bathrooms. One street closer to the sea (outside the gates of the Augustus Hotel) sits the resort’s third building, the Augustus Lido. Once an 18^th-century private villa, the Augustus Lido is reminiscent of Forte dei Marmi’s glamorous history, with more classical décor featuring brightly colored pink and blue florals, matching tile floors and small antiques throughout. The Lidino building, a small annex building on the grounds of the Augustus Lido, added four double rooms and an apartment to the resort’s repertoire in 2013.

With a welcoming and attentive staff, kid-friendly amenities and a tranquil environment, the Augustus is ideal for families or couples looking for a low-key, five-star beach vacation experience.

With its prime location on the Via del Babuino, boutique hotel Babuino 181 offers contemporary décor and good value in the heart of Rome.

Steps away from Villa Borghese, Regina Baglioni in Rome boasts traditional Italian aesthetics and refined service in a historical property.

The five-star Castello di Casole comes with a spa, vineyards, three restaurants, a bar, and an epic infinity pool. While it does feel somewhat compounded, that caveat is mitigated by its amenities and proximity to Siena, as well as to such lovely hill towns as Monteriggioni.