Every region and major city in Italy has more than a few unique hotels in settings that will mesmerize the tourist.

Many hotels are near restaurants or have a built-in restaurant for convenience. Some are known for their picturesque designs (both architecture and decor) as well as the landscapes where they sit. Below are some fabulous hotels along with detailed descriptions about their special features to help the traveller who’s looking for something beyond ordinary.

Lap of Luxury in the Alps of Italy

La Perla Corvara, Italy

Situated high in the Dolomites, the South Tyrolean lodge called La Perla is located in Corvara, a friendly Alpine village that’s near the Swiss border. The lodge has traditional rooms with rustic wood furniture, decorative headboards and printed fabrics. The hotel resembles a typical Swiss lodge, with a dining area that has all wood paneling and timbered ceilings. The walls are lined with wine bottles. There’s also an unusual motorcycle museum at the resort that has antique bikes on display! The resort is just over 100 miles from Venice.

Guests at La Perla enjoy the daring view of the Dolomite peaks, snowshoeing and skiing activities, and also hiking

during warm weather. There are Turkish baths, a jacuzzi and saunas as well as an indoor-outdoor pool. This is a fun and relaxing place to rest during your Italy tour.

Vigilius Mountain Resort South Tyrol, Italy

This resort sits at the top of a mountain in South Tyrol in the Alps, near the Italian-Austrian border. Don’t want to drive up the mountain? You won’t have to because this resort is accessible by cable car only – 1500 meters up!

The hotel is modern in design with stone and concrete on lots of plain wood. If you want remote, this is the place to be.

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento, Italy

This hotel is located high on a cliff that overlooks the harbor in Sorrento. The hotel is actually three villas, each built in the 1800s. The hotel has been restored, but still maintains its original design. Ornate frescoes on the ceilings of a few suites and unique furniture give the hotel its unique beauty.

There are two restaurants. One is a traditional dining room with a 19th century elegant style. The other is a terrace restaurant that has a tremendous view of the harbor. Guests staying during the summer months might get to dine by candlelight on the Vittoria Terrace as a small orchestra plays music. The hotel offers a private elevator, which transports guests to the harbor. Boats are also available for hire here.

Il San Pietro di Positano Positano, Italy

For those not afraid of heights, this unusual hotel descends with each level down a cliffside. The views of the sea can be enjoyed from each room and terrace to the max because the hotel is built alongside the cliff only one room deep. Each room has its own private terrace. This makes for a very relaxing and quiet getaway.

The entrance of the hotel is actually a small chapel from the 17th century that was devoted to San Pietro. There is a restaurant on top of the hotel that serves Italian cuisine and offers more stunning views of the Gulf of Salerno. There’s also a swimming pool that has been carved into the cliffside. A lift can be taken from the hotel lobby down to a private beach and seaside cocktail bar.

Grand Hotel Quisisana Capri, Italy

The Grand Hotel Quisisana is where many supermodels, actors and other members of the elite go to hide away. Located in the popular city of Capri, this hotel resembles a habitat for the rich and famous with its 19th century design, endless mirrors and amazing floors. A pool and outdoor cafe are available.

Caesar Augustus Hotel Capri, Italy

Sitting above the Bay of Naples, 1000 feet above, is this classic hotel with its unmatching views of the bay. The rooms are welcoming with bright modern bathrooms and private balconies. There is a restaurant on a terrace that overlooks the bay also. It offers stylish comfort and a beautiful view all in one package!

The Capri Palace Anacapri, Italy

A hotel with Roman Empire elegance and a stunning view of the sea, the Capri Palace welcomes guests to gorgeous rooms with chandeliers, tile and marble baths and canopy beds. Luxury is an understatement at this hotel. Even outside the hotel is a well-kept garden. A pool and spa are available for relaxation. The hotel offers a penthouse suite and also an apartment-style suite for long stays that has its own garden and pool.

Don’t settle for second best on your trip. If you don’t see a unique hotel above for the area you plan to visit, use online resources and searches to find other dream resorts in Italy! Choice Hotels, Unique Settings for the Italy Traveller

San Domenico Palace Hotel Taormina, Sicily, Italy

For a luxury vacation in Sicily, tourists enjoy staying at the San Domenico Palace. It sits on a hill above Taormina and offers lovely views of the volcanic peak of Mount Etna as well as the Ionian Sea. The hotel is in a 15th century monastery with beautiful terraces and gardens. Although the building is ancient, the interior is not. The marble bathrooms are very modern as are the fixtures and amenities. Guests enjoy lounging in the pool during the summer, or dining at one of three restaurants that each serve a broad range of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.

Hotel Eden Rome, Italy

When in Rome, many tourists choose to stay at Hotel Eden, even Hemingway and Ingrid Bergman! With over a hundred rooms, Hotel Eden is far from small, but gives guests a feeling of seclusion, like a stay in a private residence. It’s just a few blocks from the Spanish Steps, a main tourist area in Rome.

The rooms are classic and offer striking views of the city. Antique furnishings and corniced ceilings blend with modern design to give an elegant appearance. Nearby there are great shopping areas, attractions, sights and restaurants for fine dining.

Hotel Forty Seven Rome, Italy

Hotel Forty Seven is a place for art lovers with Italian art from the 20th century on each floor. The rooms have comfortable furnishings, satellite television and Internet connections. Twenty-four hour room service is also available. Atop the hotel is a restaurant that overlooks Ancient Rome, where guests can enjoy a delicious Mediterranean dinner.

Hotel Capo d’Africa Rome, Italy

This hotel offers spacious, decorative rooms with high ceilings, painted in warm, bright colors. The furnishings are modern although the building was once a school in the early 20th century. The neighborhood is quiet, and there is a rooftop terrace that’s a great place to relax. Just a few blocks from the hotel is the Colosseum.

Hotel Gritti Palace Venice, Italy

This is a gorgeous hotel that was once a palace in Venice. It’s just steps away from San Marco, but located far enough from the roar of traffic to give guests a peaceful stay. The Terrazza restaurant at the hotel offers a terrific view of the Grand Canal.

Hotel Spadari al Duomo Milan, Italy

The Hotel Spadari al Duomo has a middle name – and that name is fashion. Designers often set up at this hotel for furniture fairs, making it a favorite place to stay for those in the fashion industry. The rooms are comfortable with custom-made furniture for a unique appeal. Some rooms offer a view of the Duomo cathedral. There are beautiful contemporary paintings hanging on the walls.

Grand Hotel et de Milan Milan, Italy

An elegant hotel in Milan that has lovely rooms with period furniture and rich fabrics. The La Scala theater is just a short walk from the hotel.

La Sommita Relais Culti Ostuni, Puglia, Italy

La Sommita Relais Culti is a hotel that doesn’t look like much on the outside, and the rooms are very discrete. This is an unusual hotel that has only nine suites, with each suite appearing to be the only one around. This is the place to stay for those needing seclusion or who want to grasp what it’s like living in a place like Ostuni.

Grand Hotel Continental Siena, Italy

Once an aristocratic residence, the Grand Hotel Continental is the most luxurious hotel in Siena. It’s located just off the pedestrian street of Piazza del Campo in the heart of Siena. Although the building has been restored, the original details remain. The hotel has a grand ballroom, a splendid restaurant and a wine bar. The rooms are designed with frescoed ceilings, paintings and unique furnishings while also offering the modern conveniences of satellite television and Internet access.

Lungarno Suites Florence, Italy

This hotel adds modern elegance to Florence with three stylish hotels. The suites are apartment-style with kitchenettes and refrigerators, and are also very spacious. The hotel’s location makes it easy for guests to explore the city. Families will appreciate the extra space! A dream vacation in Italy doesn’t have to be bland, and neither do the accommodations!

You can find international cell phones and service for Italy from http://www.planetomni.com. Free incoming calls from all countries night and day and calling the states is just US $.60 per minute! They rent and sell phones and satellite phones as well.

John Dulaney, born Dec. 11th, 1946, married with children. Living most years since 1969 outside the USA and working in motion pictures since 1965 I started QuantumStar.com with my wife, Jojo, in March of 1994 in San Francisco, Ca. I’ve lived in or been to approximately 36 countries and have lived under Democracies, Socialism, Communism, dictatorships, kingdoms and others. There is nothing like home. I participated at Channel Four in Manila, Philippines during the People Power Revolution and stood, with my wife’s brother, along with half a million others against the threat of tank attack. I have witnessed the ruinous effects of Socialism /Communism /Dictatorship in dozens of countries and today enjoy the remains of our freedoms and protections of the Constitution in the USA here in California. Working in front of and behind the camera films around the world we removed to the suburbs and a quiet life, for a few years. We still have property in Umbria, Italy, some is for sale. After all is said and done I count my children, wife Jojo and my friends as my only real treasure.

One of the world’s most historic and fascinating cities, Rome is famous for its rich heritage and important buildings. Many magnificent monuments and truly ancient ruins reside in Rome, together with numerous vibrant shopping areas, restaurants and sightseeing opportunities. The city has much to offer tourists and also offers a selection of nearby beaches.

Standing alongside the scenic River Tiber, Rome has a population of almost 3 million and experiences hot summer weather and particularly mild, pleasant winters. With year-round attractions, many people choose to visit Rome between November to February, when the city is at its quietest.

Rome Hotels:

Being one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations, it is hardly surprising that Rome is full of hotels, catering for all tastes and budgets. Ranging from impressive hotels in the Centro Storico (historic centre), to more modern accommodation around the Campo dei Fiori, hotels in Rome quickly become fully booked, and so be sure to reserve your room in advance. Bed and breakfasts in Rome are known as ‘pensioni’ and often provide particularly good value for money, with a number being located close to the ‘Stazione Termini’ railway station and Trastevere area.

Rome Tourism:

Rome has long been a major tourist destination and its historical attractions and important ruins are known throughout the world. However, the city is also an exciting and vibrant place to visit, with many impressive shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and seasonal festivals. Some of the most popular places to visit in Rome include the Circus Maximus, the Coliseum, the Forum, the Pantheon, Janiculum Hill, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the vast Vatican City, the official residence of the Pope, head of the Roman Catholic faith. The Sistine Chapel at the Vatican City is particularly awe-inspiring, together with the city’s numerous art galleries and museums.

Popular events in the city include many operas, ballets and concerts at Rome’s numerous theatres. Other seasonal highlights include regular football matches at the Stadio Olimpico, the Rome Marathon each March, religious events throughout Easter, concerts at the Teatro Olimpico, June’s Pesaro Film Festival, and also the Festa della Madonna della Neve, held every August.

Rome Transport:

With good rail connections to a number of major cities, including Florence and Venice, Rome is well-connected by highways, which provide easy access to nearby towns. Rome’s Metro subway network, public buses and trams all provide inexpensive ways to travel throughout the city. Car rental is one of the most popular ways to travel out of the city and is perfect for day trips and excursions.

Located around 18 miles / 29 km from the city centre, Leonardo da Vinci Airport, also known as Fiumicino, is an important air transport hub. Dealing with large numbers of domestic and international flights each day, ground transportation at the airport includes buses, trains and car hire.

Rome Shopping:

Known for its chic fashion boutiques and expensive department stores, shopping in Rome is a major attraction. With many bustling shops clustered around the Piazza Di Spagna, other popular stores can be found around the city’s Via Del Governo Vecchio area, close to the Spanish Steps, along the Via Sistina, and on Via Borgognona. Also, the pedestrianized Via Frattina is the perfect place for some serious window shopping.

Rome Restaurants:

Home to one of the greatest cuisines in the world, Italian restaurants are known for their superb local specialities, which include freshly made pizzas, pasta dishes, paninis, salads, a selection of cheeses and many other types of food. Al fresco dining is particularly popular in Rome, with an array of cafes, bars and superb ice cream shops clustered around the piazzas.

Nia Rees writes for: World Guides to Rome

For further information about the airport, visit Airports Guides to Rome at: Information About Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO).

Whilst details concerning Rome Ciampino Airport can be found at: Information About Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA).

Italy is known to be among the most popular travel destination in Europe. Aside from its attractions, I am very fond of the way Italians live their everyday lives. They?ve got excellent taste in clothing and superb variations of national cuisines. Tourists will no doubt love the way Italians welcome guests into their country.

When it comes to luxury accommodations in Rome, Aldrovandi Palace is the perfect place to stay at if you like a luxurious and expensive stay in Italy. With its elegant and magnificent edifice, Aldrovandi then adapted its features into one luxurious hotel. The hotel offers 12 luxurious suites and 122 elegant rooms to its to its guests and visitors. It also has a spacious royal suite accommodation that is usually patronized by royal families, famous personalities, and celebrities.

If budget is the problem when it comes to a vacation escapade in Milan, one should check out the Eurohotel for an affordable hotel accommodation in the city. Situated near the Porta Venezia in Milan?s historic center, Eurohotel?s strategic location is very beneficial for tourists who also prefer the city?s shopping highlights. The hotel features more than 20 bedrooms, with 50 beds in all. Each room is refurbished and newly decorated with fine furnitures. Comfy rooms also have air conditioning, direct telephone line, and satellite television. When planning for a budget trip in Italy, always remember that Eurohotel is a perfect place for cheap, yet comfy accommodation in Milan.

Duke Hotel?s location is an advantage, too. This hotel is located just between two beautiful and famous public gardens namely Villa Borghese and Villa Glori. From this hotel, visitors can easily go to other attractions like Parco della Musica Auditorium, the Borghese Museum and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Visitors do not have to rent vehicles anymore to reach these beautiful attractions.

Hotel Gray’s stylish interior that completely blends well with the Italy?s surroundings is another must-see attraction. I am definitely sure that you will be able to notice it once you have seen the place. There is also a bar, a stylish restaurant, as well as elegant and welcoming public areas to make your stay even more fun and exciting. If your Milan trip is getting boring, you must go to Florence where one of the premier hotels in Italy is found, that is, the Hotel Villa La Vedetta, a five-star hotel located in Florence. This hotel is strategically located near Florence?s most important historic and artistic venues such as Piazzale Michelangelo and Ponte Vecchio. Thus, this hotel that is housed in a romantic Neo-Renaissance villa will surely impress everyone especially travelers with the most discriminating taste.

These different hotels are truly remarkable because they only did not give us an extraordinary experience, but the have also made a special space in our memory.

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