Planning a trip to the beautiful country of Italy? Need suggestions on where to stay and the best boutique hotels? Well you have come to the right place! Featured boutique hotels will be in Venice, Florence, Bologna, and Umbria. Boutique hotels are small hotels with anywhere from 10 to 100 rooms. Most have unique settings with individualized and upscale accommodations. Each boutique hotel offers a distinctive experience filled with history, resulting in a memorable and unique trip!
1) Ruzzini Palace Hotel: Venice, Italy
The Ruzzini glorifies the aristocratic period augmented with modern luxury and glamour. This boutique hotel is filled with history. Once owned by a distinguished Venetian family, the Ruzzini offers a remarkable perspective of Venice. On one side is the campo Santa Maria Formosa and the rio del Paradiso can be seen on the other. One unique feature is a water entrance to the hotel, making this charming 4-start hotel one of our favorite places to stay when visiting Venice.
2) Grand Hotel Baglioni: Florence, Italy
This boutique hotel is located in the very heart of Florence and a stone’s throw away from the high-speed Santa Maria Novella train station. The Grand Hotel Baglioni officially opened in 1903, and prior to its opening, hosted important people such as kings and heads of state. The boutique hotel was built in the latter half of the 1800s by Prince Carrega di Lucedio. Prince Carrega di Lucedio later moved to Rome, leaving the building up for grabs. The proximity to things made it the perfect location for a luxury hotel. Stay at this elegant 4-star boutique hotel while on our Venice to Vatican expedition for easy access to getting out and seeing Florence.
3) La Locanda del Capitano: Montone, Umbria, Italy
The Locanda del Capitano was once the home of Captain of Fortune Braccio Fortebracci. It is now an intimate, boutique hotel located in the heart of the small village of Montone. This hotel allows you to escape the chaos of the city with a rooftop garden and terrace. Grab a book and relax on your Italian getaway in the beautiful hillsides of Umbria.
4) Art Hotel Commercianti: Bologna, Italy
Art Hotel Commercianti is located in the heart of Bologna. On a quiet street in a pedestrian-only area, this 4-star boutique hotels is it a complete dream! It was built in the early 11th century as a tower house, and it served as the town hall. Within walking distance is renowned shopping, wonderful restaurants, and main tourist attractions, which is why it’s we love to stay at this historic hotel when visiting Bologna.
5) Hotel Carla: Cinque Terre, Italy
Hotel Carla is centrally located near the sea and train stations. It opened in 1960 and is family owned. Cinque Terre is famous for its string of old seaside villages on the rugged Italian coastline. Homes grasp onto the steep terraces while ports are filled with boats and trattorias. This 3-star boutique hotel is a real cliff hanger, and a delight to stay in when visiting enchanting Cinque Terre.
6) The Empire Palace Hotel: Rome, Italy
The Empire Palace Hotel opened in 1999 after a renovation of a 19th century palazzo, originally built for a Venetian family. The hotel is centrally located in the Veneto and Piazza Barberini areas of Rome. The Empire Palace was designed by architects Raniero Botti and Gianfranco Mangiarotti and embodies a contemporary Italy. The location of this hotel offers a 15-minute walk to the Spanish Steps, making it a great place to stay during your time in Rome on our Venice to Vatican expedition.
Post written by Jordan Eshbaugh
Italian is one of the most popular cuisines and for good reason. Pizza, pasta, gelato - this food is incredible. One of the things that travelers are often most excited about when going abroad is the food, and when you travel to Italy, be prepared to try it all because you won’t want to miss a thing. From Bologna to Rome, there are various regions you should visit to try the varying dishes. Each region is known for something different. Here’s what to eat and where to eat during your Italian adventure!