Where to Stay in Italy: The Best Boutique Hotels in Rome, Florence, the Amalfi Coast and Beyond
Read on for incredible Italy accommodation options – nearly 20 awesome hotels in Italy tried and tested by yours truly!
There’s something about Italy that keeps beckoning and calling me back, year after year. Ideally, I’d like to be in my sixties in a house overlooking the Sorrentine Peninsula, lemon trees in the backyard and my sausage dogs running around having the time of their lives.
In the meantime, I love discovering outstanding boutique and family-run hotels and guesthouses in Italy, especially ones that serve up mouthwatering pastries in the morning! Italy has no shortage of amazing places to stay – here are some hotels and guesthouses that I have personally stayed at, and would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone travelling to Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Florence, Venice and beyond.
But first, a little primer on the kinds of accommodation we tend to book in Italy, and our usual travelling style:
- We usually travel as a couple or with adult family members, so either book separate rooms or apartments with 1-2 bedrooms
- Convenience is key – I like booking places that offer easy access to major landmarks on foot, or for places that are crowded (like Cinque Terre) I might also look for accommodation in neighboring towns that are away from the hordes of other visitors
- Moving around every other night sucks. I much prefer using 1 city as a base and heading out for day trips – for example, you can easily visit Orvieto as a day trip from Rome, or Verona as a day trip from Venice. The train system in Italy makes it easy to explore neighboring cities and towns!
- For the most part, we take public transportation or get around on foot in cities. In particular regions where public transportation is limited and/or crowded we might rent a scooter or car, so might book accommodation that offers parking or can arrange secured parking for an extra daily rate
- We mostly eat out in Italy, so don’t tend to choose accommodation with self-catering facilities/kitchens. A small fridge tends to be enough
- I’m very picky about cleanliness and furnishing – I prefer places with modern, elegant and tasteful decor and furniture
- Our daily budget for accommodation in Italy ranges from approximately 120-200 Euros per night depending on location
Does this sound like you? Then check out these hotels in Italy! I like to use Booking.com to find the perfect hotel in Italy because it lets me filter by dates, ratings, facilities, location and more. Click here for current hotel prices and availability in Italy!
Pro tips for booking hotels in Italy
- Many cities in Italy impose a city tax of 1 to 5 Euros per person, per night. Often, this charge is payable in cash so make sure you read the terms and conditions before booking. Some hotels include this in their daily rate, some don’t
- Many boutique hotels and family-run accommodation in Italy have strict cancellation policies (unlike hotels in other countries where you might be able to cancel up until the day before check-in). Some might even charge the full amount weeks or months ahead of your stay – make sure you read all of the fine print!
- If you need help with airport transfers, let the hotel know in advance. More often than not they can recommend a good private driver and/or offer a discounted rate for airport pick up and drop off
- If you are booking a room at a guesthouse or a private apartment make sure you ask if there are additional cleaning fees, whether your room will be serviced during your stay and if you are expected to take the rubbish out at the end of your stay
- Many older buildings in Italy do not have elevators, so check before you book to see if you’ll have to schlep your luggage up several flights of stairs
- Older apartments might not offer air-conditioning. If you are visiting Italy during the summer months you’ll want to double check if the property has A/C!
For even more Italy travel tips and things you should know before you go, head on over here!
Jump to section (A to Z):
1. Amalfi Coast, Capri, Sorrento
2. Cinque Terre, Portovenere, Portofino
3. Florence
4. Milan
5. Naples, Pompeii/Mount Vesuvius
6. Pisa
7. Rome
8. Venice
Where to stay if you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast, Capri or Sorrento
The Amalfi Coast is a 50 KM stretch of picture-perfect coastline along the southern edge of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula and is a UNESCO-listed landscape. It is lined with stunning towns running from Positano all the way along to Vietri sul Mare.
The Amalfi Coast is also notorious for extremely expensive hotels, but don’t worry if you don’t want to blow your entire vacation budget on 1 night in Positano. Look to some of the smaller towns for incredible accommodation options, though you might sacrifice accessibility and transportation options (unless you rent a scooter or car). Hotels in Atrani, Praiano, Maiori, Minori, Conca dei Marini, or Furore tend to be more reasonably priced. If it’s your first time in the Amalfi Coast, I recommend staying no less than 3 to 4 nights in the area.
But here is my biggest tip for visiting the Amalfi Coast or Capri: you do not have to stay in the Amalfi Coast to visit the Amalfi Coast! You can also base yourself in Sorrento and hop on a bus or ferry for day trips to Positano or Amalfi.
The upside is that accommodation prices tend to be lower in Sorrento and you can also easily access other destinations like Pompeii, Capri, Ischia and Procida. Here are some of my favourite places to stay in (and around) the Amalfi Coast, or click here for even more accommodation options in the Amalfi Coast!
1. Solaria in Tovere
Tovere is a tiny town located above Conca dei Marini, about halfway between Amalfi and Positano. Solaria is a small, family-run B&B with spacious rooms and a stunning garden. The hosts, Emilio and his family, are extremely welcoming and gave us great recommendations for places to visit and restaurants to go to for dinner. Click here to book your stay at Solaria!
What we loved:
- It offers an authentic Italian experience away from the crowds
- Amazing home-cooked breakfasts – homemade cakes, freshly brewed Italian coffee and delicious frittata
- Spacious and clean rooms
- Free scooter and car parking
- Fantastic local recommendations – Emilio is more than happy to make lunch and dinner reservations for guests
What you need to know:
- It is slightly out of the way so you will need to drive at least 30 minutes to get to Positano, Ravello or Amalfi
- The property is a traditional Italian home, so while the rooms are spotless don’t expect hotel furnishings
- There are a few (super sweet) resident cats that hang out in the garden, so bring antihistamines if you are allergic
2. Vhome in Sorrento
Personally, I love staying in Sorrento – getting around the city is a breeze on foot, and there are lots of shops and restaurants in the historic centre. It is also easy to catch ferries from Sorrento to Capri, Positano, Amalfi or Naples. For our first trip to the Amalfi Coast, we stayed at Vhome, a small boutique hotel located in a residential building in a relatively low-key area of Sorrento. The rooms are compact but newly renovated, breakfast is aplenty and the receptionist was extremely helpful. Click here to book your stay at Vhome!
What we loved:
- Easy access to “downtown” Sorrento – just a 5-minute walk away from the historic centre or the train station
- Clean, comfortable and modern rooms, ours even had a small terrace
What you need to know:
- Parking is not included and a reservation is needed in advance – the daily rate is 18 Euros
- There is no view from the rooms to speak of
- The hotel is located in a residential building so might be a little hard to spot
3. B&B Veru in Sorrento
B&B Veru is in a building right on Corso Italia (the main street running through Sorrento). Cristiana is a wonderful host and the boutique rooms are spacious, clean and modern with lots of colour. There are only a handful of rooms at B&B Veru, so make sure you book early if you’re visiting Sorrento. Click here to book your stay at B&B Veru!
What we loved:
- Freshly squeezed orange juice every morning
- Pristine rooms that are newly renovated
- The location really can’t be beat – a stone’s throw from the train station and a 2-minute walk from the historic centre. Take the steps down from the main square to get to the Sorrento port
- Cristiana is an amazing host – no request is too big or too small
What you need to know:
- Parking is not included and a reservation is needed in advance – the daily rate is 18 Euros
- Depending on which room you stay in you might hear some street noise
4. SorrentoLife in Sorrento
If you are traveling around the Amalfi Coast with family or friends, I recommend booking yourself into one of the SorrentoLife two-bedroom apartments right in the heart of town (just next to the Circumvesuviana train station). The apartments offer a good-sized kitchen and the beds are extremely comfortable. The wifi is lightning fast if you need to stay connected, and you can also do laundry in the property. Click here to book your stay at SorrentoLife!
What we loved:
- The location is fantastic, and the building has an elevator if you have lots of luggage
- The kitchen is well equipped if you want to self-cater
- Need to do a load of laundry? The apartment is equipped with a washing machine
- Perfect for two couples or a family travelling together
What you need to know:
- Parking is not included and a reservation is needed in advance – the daily rate is 18 Euros
- If you are a light sleeper you may want to bring some earplugs as you can hear the conversations upstairs
- Let the management company know if you want the apartment serviced – it is not cleaned every day
- The apartment we stayed in only had 1 bathroom (shower + toilet), which is fine for 3 people but might be a bit inconvenient if you’re traveling with 4 or more people
Where to stay if you’re visiting the Cinque Terre, Portovenere or Portofino
The five towns that make up Cinque Terre in the region of Liguria (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso), Portovenere and Portofino are some of Italy’s most popular travel destinations. These towns in the Italian riviera are often hyper-crowded during the peak summer months, which means you need to plan ahead and book your accommodation well in advance. If it’s your first time in Cinque Terre, I recommend staying no less than 2 to 3 nights, or more if you want to explore more of Liguria.
When deciding where to stay in Cinque Terre, bear in mind the proximity of the hotel to the train station (the main form of public transportation between the towns). You can stay in either of these hotel recommendations if you are planning on visiting Cinque Terre, Portofino or Portovenere, or click here for even more Cinque Terre hotel options and current rates!
1. La Dolce Vita in Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is a good option if you’re looking for a base for your visit to Cinque Terre – the main street is very close to the train station and accommodation is reasonably priced (we paid approximately US$130 per night for a double room). To get around, just purchase a Cinque Terre Card as it also includes entry to the Cinque Terre hiking trails (and wifi). Alternatively, you can also travel around Cinque Terre by ferry, bus, or hire a scooter.
Save the Cinque Terre train timetable to your phone before you travel to make your life easier, and also make sure that you validate your ticket before you get on as inspectors frequently do spot checks. From Cinque Terre, there are a number of easy ways to do day trips to Portofino or Portovenere. Read more about traveling to Portofino from Cinque Terre here, or read this travel guide to Portovenere.
Book yourself into La Dolce Vita, conveniently located right on the main street. The room was spacious, comfortable and had a little balcony overlooking the heart of town. The only thing is that they do not offer breakfast, but it is easy enough to wander downstairs and pick up freshly baked pastries. Click here to book your stay at La Dolce Vita!
What we loved:
- The location – right in the heart of Riomaggiore and easy-to-get-to from the train station
- You can open the balcony doors for a view over the town
- The rooms are extremely spacious
What you need to know:
- Pick the keys up across the road from the property’s small office
- There are no elevators so you’ll have to carry your luggage up several flights of stairs
- The double bed is two single beds put together
- The rooms are not serviced every day, let them know if you need fresh towels or more toilet paper
2. Villa Caterina in Levanto
If you are visiting Cinque Terre, here is my biggest tip: you don’t actually have to stay within the five towns! Levanto is one town over from Monterosso (a 5-minute train ride) and is a peaceful base for exploring the Ligurian coast. Accommodation tends to be less expensive, more spacious and far from the crowds.
I recommend checking out Villa Caterina in Levanto if you want to visit Cinque Terre, Portofino or Portovenere. It is a wonderful family-owned property with beautiful gardens and rooms. The property is a 15-20 minute walk away from the Levanto train station, or there is parking available as well if you rent a car or scooter. Click here to book your stay at Villa Caterina in Levanto!
What we loved:
- The peace and quiet
- The beautiful gardens where we enjoyed breakfast every morning
- Free street parking outside the property
- The incredibly friendly host who picked us up and dropped us off at the train station
- Levanto has plenty of dining options for lunch and dinner, as well as a rocky beach
What you need to know:
- The train station is a decent 15-minute walk away, or a 3-4 minute drive
- If your heart is set on staying within the five towns of Cinque Terre, this probably isn’t right for you and you should stay at La Dolce Vita, or click here for even more Cinque Terre hotel options and current rates!
Where to stay if you’re visiting Florence
Florence (or Firenze) is one of the most enchanting Italian cities you will ever set foot in. From the iconic Duomo di Firenze to the Ponte Vecchio and Uffuzi Gallery, Florence is full of incredible sights. You can get around Florence on foot easily, and take the train for easy day trips to Pisa, Siena, Lucca, Chianti and beyond. If you are visiting Florence for the first time, I recommend staying a minimum of 3 nights (or more if you want to do day trips around Tuscany).
I’ve visited Florence a handful of times and these are the hotels that I find myself coming back to. You can also click here for other highly rated hotels near the Duomo in Florence!
1. Hotel Calzaiuoli in Florence
Hotel Calzaiuoli is a 2-minute walk away from the Duomo Complex and one of the best luxury hotels in Florence. I’ve stayed at Hotel Calziuoli a total of 3 times and I highly recommend it to friends and family because the staff are extremely friendly and accommodating, rooms are bright, comfortable and spacious, and the location just can’t be beat. Click here to book your stay at Hotel Calzaiuoli!
What we loved:
- Location, location, location. The Duomo complex is 200 metres away, and the Ponte Vecchio is less than 5-minutes away on foot
- Some rooms have a Duomo view
- Extremely helpful staff
- There’s an elevator which makes it easy if you have luggage
What you need to know:
- Room rates are on the higher end at 200 Euros a night and upwards
- The breakfast is a typical European spread – plentiful and fresh, but don’t expect a massive variety day-to-day
2. La Tana Dei Leoni in Florence
La Tana Dei Leoni is a small guesthouse in a residential building right in front of the Ponte Vecchio. Right. In. Front. The rooms are extremely spacious for European standards, and the value for money is fantastic given its location. If you are travelling on a slightly lower budget, you can consider La Tana Dei Leoni over Hotel Calzaiuoli. Click here to book your stay at La Tana Dei Leoni!
What we loved:
- The location is incredible, with some rooms offering a view of the Ponte Vecchio
- Very reasonable room rates for this part of town
- Excellent high-speed wifi
- The owner let us keep our bags in the apartment after check-out time
What you need to know:
- There are only a handful of rooms
- Breakfast is not available
- You might hear some noise from the road due to the location
3. Agnolo in Florence
Agnolo is a 2-bedroom apartment in the Santa Croce district of Florence. Giulia, the owner, lived in the apartment for years and it feels like a real home. She reached out to us well in advance of our arrival and provided detailed instructions for self check-in and information about the apartment. The apartment itself is extremely spacious and we appreciated having 2 separate bathrooms as we were traveling as a family. The kitchen is well equipped if you want to self cater or keep some wine and food in the fridge, and the bedrooms were very comfortable. Click here to book your stay at Agnolo in Florence!
What we loved:
- The location is fantastic, just a 5-7 minute walk away from the Duomo or 20 minute walk from the train station
- Very reasonable room rates for this part of town
- Easy self check-in process
- Apartment is spotless and extremely clean
What you need to know:
- There was minimal street noise but that’s to be expected when you are staying anywhere in Florence’s historic centre
- There is a strict check-in time of 3 PM
- The building has no elevator, but the apartment is on the first floor so you only need to walk up 2 short flights of stairs
- It is a little difficult to catch a taxi in this area if you need one in the early morning or late evenings. Your best bet is to walk over to the Duomo (which is what we ended up doing) or pre-booking a taxi as Uber does not operate in Florence
Where to stay if you’re visiting Milan
Milan is the stylish fashion capital of Italy, but don’t think for a second that it lacks soul. The cosmopolitan city is home to the Duomo di Milano, stunning Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, historic Teatro alla Scala and more cocktail bars than you can poke a stick at. If you don’t have a lot of time in Milan and want to book centrally-located and convenient hotels, look for hotels around Centro Storico or Brera. Not to worry if you stay a little further away from the historic centre, the city is well connected by a clean and efficient subway system.
A first-time visitor to Milan should aim to stay in the city for no less than 2 to 3 days. Click here for my guide to spending 2 days in Milan, keep reading for my recommendations for where to stay in Milan, or click here to see even more highly rated hotel options in the city. Just so you know, in my experience accommodation prices tend to be higher in Milan than we experienced elsewhere in Italy.
1. Zebra Rosso in Milan
Zebra Rosso is located in the Brera design district and offers spacious apartments a 15-minute walk away from the Duomo. The air-conditioned apartments are stylishly furnished yet effortlessly cozy, and feature bold and funky zebra-print wallpaper in certain rooms. We stayed in the one-bedroom apartment and loved the rustic wooden dining table, private balcony and convenient location. Click here to book your stay at Zebra Rosso!
What we loved:
- The location is incredible, approximately 200 meters from the Moscova metro station which is connected to Milano Centrale or Garibaldi train stations so you can easily hop on the Malpensa Express to and from the airport
- Very reasonable room rates for this part of town
- Excellent high-speed wifi
- Extremely easy check in process
- Elevator if you are traveling with heavy luggage
What you need to know:
- There are only a small handful of rooms so book early
- Breakfast is not available, but you have access to a small kitchenette
- Check-in time is after 4 PM, though the owners were more than willing to let us check in early (assuming the room was ready)
- Daily housekeeping is available at an additional charge
2. Sheraton Milan Malpensa at Milan Malpensa Airport
If you have a layover in Milan or need a hotel near Milan Malpensa Airport then check yourself into Sheraton Milan Malpensa. It is the only hotel with direct access to Terminal 1 of the airport and offers day rates if, like us, you arrive into Milan early in the morning and are not able to check into your hotel until the afternoon. The rooms are nothing fancy, but they are clean and spacious and offer the opportunity to take a steaming hot shower after a long flight. The day rate at Sheraton Malpensa is 80 Euros and allows you to use the room from 9 AM to 6 PM. Book on their official website to take advantage of the day rate (use the promotional code: ZDY). If you need the room outside of the day rate hours, you can book a room at Sheraton Milan Malpensa here!
What we loved:
- Perfect for a short stay or layover
- Directly connected to T1 of Milan Malpensa Airport
- Reasonable day use rates
- Hotel offers free hi-speed wifi
What you need to know:
- Day use is from 9 AM to 6 PM and is only available if availability shows from the night before
- You must book day use in advance via the official website or by phone
- If you need the room outside of the day rate hours then you must book a regular room rate
Where to stay if you’re visiting Naples and Pompeii
Naples is more than just the birthplace of pizza. It also has several heritage sites of its own to offer, and is a popular gateway for anyone hoping to visit the city of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius. Many people also travel to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast via Naples, which makes it an option if you want to break up your travel time and stay overnight someplace.
Alternatively, if you want to skip Naples altogether it’s also possible to visit Pompeii as a day trip from Sorrento; I would not recommend booking a hotel in Pompeii – a day trip is more than sufficient. We only stayed 1 night in Naples, and unfortunately found ourselves wanting to move on after less than 24 hours after several less-than-pleasant experiences. Personally I would recommend a night or 2 in Naples, maximum.
The brilliant upside of visiting Naples was our wonderful hosts at Parthenope Suite in the Historic Centre of Naples. Read on for more information about this beautiful boutique B&B in the heart of the city.
1. Parthenope Suite in Naples
Silvia and Alessandro are wonderful hosts who made our trip as easy and enjoyable as possible. From sending us meticulous directions for getting to/into the property to helping contact the airport for updates on our lost baggage, these two were patient and went out of their way to be helpful. The room is beautiful and modern and not what you’d expect of this area. Click here to book your stay at Parthenope Suite!
What we loved:
- The beautiful rooms and wonderful water pressure in the shower
- Delicious breakfast spread with piping hot chocolate croissants
- Detailed instructions for getting into the property
What you need to know:
- The guesthouse is in a building on a quiet side street in Naples, and it might appear “rough” from the outside if you arrive late at night, but don’t let the exterior scare you! The B&B itself is stunning and newly renovated
- There are only 3 air-conditioned bedrooms so book early
Where to stay if you’re visiting Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is probably one of the most photographed and visited monuments in all of Italy, and for good reason. The slant of the tower is even more pronounced in person, and you can even climb your way to the top for a panoramic view of the complex and town below. Pisa is a popular day trip destination and can be easily reached by train from Florence in an hour, but it’s also possible to stay overnight in the city.
If you are planning a day trip to Pisa from Florence, check out Hotel Calzaiuoli or La Tana Dei Leoni. If you prefer to stay overnight in Pisa, I recommend staying in the city for 1 or 2 nights at the most. Here is my hotel recommendation for Pisa, or you can check out some other highly reviewed hotels in Pisa here.
1. B&B Relais Paradise in Pisa
B&B Relais Paradise is a small B&B just 10 minutes away from the main piazza and Leaning Tower. The rooms are spacious and the owners let us choose between 2 unoccupied rooms to see which one we liked more. We ended up staying in a fantastic room detached from the main building. If you want to soak up the sunshine the property has a lovely garden space as well. Click here to book your stay at B&B Relais Paradise!
What we loved:
- Our room was spacious and newly renovated
- We checked out early and Laura was kind enough to pack us some breakfast for the journey
- The Pisa Duomo Complex is just 10 minutes away on foot
What you need to know:
- The check-in time is relatively late at 3 PM, but you can drop your bags off first
Where to stay if you’re visiting Rome
Ahhh, the magical Eternal City that is Rome. There are ancient buildings and churches on every single corner that aren’t even considered “tourist landmarks”, and a first trip to Italy could be considered incomplete without exploring Rome.
If you don’t have a lot of time in Rome and want to book centrally-located and convenient hotels, look for hotels around Spagna, Trevi, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Repubblica or Termini – a first-time visitor to Rome should aim to stay in the city for no less than 3 days. Read on for my recommendations for some of the best places to stay in Rome, or click here to see even more highly rated hotel options in the city.
1. Temple View Hotel near the Pantheon
Temple View Hotel is a wonderful boutique hotel right by Piazza Largo Argentina, the forum where Julius Caesar was supposedly stabbed. This hotel is just a 5-minute walk away from the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain, 10 minutes from the Spanish Steps and 15 minutes from the Castle of Angels. Click here to book your stay at Temple View Hotel!
What we loved:
- The massive windows that offer a view across Largo Argentina
- The value for money
- The central location
- Extremely responsive management
What you need to know:
- A surcharge of 30 Euros applies for arrivals after check-in hours (1-4 PM)
2. Smooth Hotel Rome Repubblica near Roma Termini
Smooth Hotel Rome Repubblica is just steps from Rome Termini train station. If you’re looking to stay near the station, this hotel is modern, there’s a cocktail bar in the lobby and the breakfast spread is decent. The staff are friendly and helpful, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this hotel to friends and family. Click here to book your stay at Smooth Hotel Rome Repubblica!
What we loved:
- The location is fantastic – a stone’s throw from Roma Termini as well as the bus station, so you can get to the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi, Vatican and Spanish Steps easily
- The beds are extremely comfortable
- The hotel also provides a free smartphone for you to use to help you find your way around Rome
- As it is a hotel there is a 24-hour reception if you need assistance
What you need to know:
- There isn’t much of a view to speak of from the rooms, and many rooms look onto other buildings
- The breakfast area gets fairly crowded so head there early if you want a seat
2. Hotel Royal Santina near Roma Termini
Hotel Royal Santina is located even closer to Roma Termini than Smooth Hotel Rome Repubblica. It is a 1, maybe 2-minute walk from the station, and also offers modern and comfortable rooms. It offers all of the standard hotel amenities and can store your luggage if you arrive earlier than check-in, or need a place to keep your bags after check-out. Click here to book your stay at Hotel Royal Santina!
What we loved:
- Super convenient to get to if you are arriving in central Rome by train
- Elevators make your life easy if you are travelling with heavy luggage
- The hotel staff are polite and helpful
What you need to know:
- Breakfast costs 7.5 Euros if you book a room rate without the meal included
3. Casa Wally near the Pantheon
Casa Wally offers spacious apartments a stone’s throw away from the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. We stayed in a cute little split-level flat and its location makes it perfect for exploring Rome on foot. Click here to book your stay at Casa Wally!
What we loved:
- The small kitchen is great for anyone wanting to self-cater or prepare a simple meal occasionally
- The host is very responsive and helpful with any local recommendations or issues
- There is a sofa bed if you are traveling with children or friends
- The apartment is extremely spacious which makes it perfect for longer stays in Rome
What you need to know:
- The split-level apartment is not appropriate if you have young children or mobility issues
- There is no elevator, so be prepared to walk up several flights of stairs
4. Abitazione Pigneto in Pigneto
Abitazione Pigneto is located in Pigneto, an “up-and-coming” trendy neighborhood a tram ride away from Roma Termini. If you are on a slightly tighter budget and don’t mind taking the tram into the city centre, then look into staying in Pigneto. Abitazione Pigneto is clean and good value for money, and the apartment only has a few rooms so you’re guaranteed a quiet stay. Click here to book your stay at Abitazione Pigneto!
What we loved:
- The rooms are spacious at this B&B, you can book rooms with large private en-suite bathrooms
- The local B&B owners are very friendly and helpful
- Incredible value for money in Rome
What you need to know:
- The apartment is a not particularly central but has good transport links if you’re not in a hurry
- The property accepts cash only
- A damage deposit of 60 Euros is required 14 days before arrival
- When we visited Pigneto in 2015 the neighborhood was still slightly sketchy in the evenings
- This is small locally-run bed and breakfast with only a few rooms – don’t expect 5-star furnishing and 24-hour service
Where to stay if you’re visiting Venice
The beauty of Venice is the stuff of legends and is a destination that everyone should visit at least once in their lives. Compared with Florence and even Rome, everything is pricier – accommodation, transportation, food and even entrance to monuments.
I would recommend that first-time visitors to Venice plan to stay in the Floating City for a minimum of at least 2 to 3 days, or longer if you plan to do a day trip to Burano or day trip to Verona. Read my express 2 day Venice guide that covers the essential sights here, or you can check out my extended 4-day Venice itinerary here!
Read on for my recommendations for places to stay in Venice, or click here to view other accommodation options in Venice’s city center!
1. Hotel Bel Sito in San Marco
If you want to stay close to the main attractions, the best areas to stay in Venice are San Marco or close to the Ponte dell’Accademia in Dorsoduro. We stayed at the Hotel Bel Sito, a lovely little hotel located steps away from the Giglio vaporetto stop. Click here to book your stay at Hotel Bel Sito.
What we loved:
- The breakfast spread is plentiful
- Friendly front-of-house staff
- Clean and comfortable rooms
- It is incredibly convenient to get anywhere – 8 to 10-minute walk from San Marco’s Square, 5 minutes from the Accademia Bridge, and right next to the Giglio vaporetto stop
- If you are flying in/out of the Marco Polo International Airport, the Alilaguna water bus also stops here and tickets can be purchased on board
What you need to know:
- The rooms are fairly tiny, but that’s common across Venice
- Decor is fairly dated and old-school, but very clean
- You must pay a “Venice city tax” in cash directly to the hotel – the rate is between 3.5-5 Euros per night, per person
2. Ca’ degli Oresi in San Marco
These incredible apartments are perfect if you are traveling with friends or family to Venice. Ca ‘degli Oresi has belonged to the same family for many generations. It was once the attic of the building where the owner’s grandfather and father worked together as master goldsmiths. Today, the family lives outside of the main city but are extremely communicative and helpful with the check-in and check-out process.
Their son, Federico, met us at the San Samuele vaporetto stop and showed us to the apartment, which is a 1-minute walk away from the stop. The Accademia bridge is only about 3 minutes away on foot, and San Marco Square is only about 10 minutes away. The train station is just 20 minutes away by the line 2 vaporetto.
The apartment itself is extremely spacious and comfortable, and was only recently completely renovated in 2018 – we loved having access to the full kitchen, beautiful private terrace and 2 separate bathrooms. The value for money is unbeatable considering the location and amount of space you get. Click here to book your stay at Ca’ degli Oresi!
What we loved:
- Extremely spacious apartment with the most amazing private terrace
- Modern kitchen with all the essentials if you want to self cater or keep a few bottles of wine in the fridge
- Separate bathrooms for the two bedrooms
- It is incredibly convenient to get anywhere on foot or by vaporetto
- The apartment is equipped with a washing machine
What you need to know:
- The apartments are located on the 3rd/4th floors of the building and there are no elevators
- The check-out time is slightly earlier – 10 AM
- You must pay a “Venice city tax” in cash directly to the hotel – the rate is 3 Euros per night, per person
I hope this guide to hotels in Italy helps you to narrow down the choices and pick perfect places to stay in for your next trip. Stay tuned as I will be adding new discoveries from my upcoming travels to Italy.
You might also enjoy these Italy guides:
- Visiting Italy for the first time? Here are some tips you must know before you travel to Italy
- Looking for even more travel tips for Italy and destination guides to help you plan your trip? Click here for travel guides for Florence, Rome, Venice, Sorrento, Cinque Terre and much much more
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Thank you this was helpful.
Hi Yolisa, thanks for taking the time to read this! Very happy to hear that you found this helpful – safe travels!
I love the charm and intimacy of a good boutique hotel, and you’ve got so many gorgeous ones here! I especially like the ones with good food, away from the crowds 🙂
And the service is wonderful at the ones I’ve recommended! At the one in Levanto, for example, my phone died while speaking to the B&B owner and so I couldn’t tell him our location for him to pick us up. So what did he do? He DROVE AROUND TOWN looking for us! Bless <3