I don’t often write about luxury accommodations on Italofile, as I’ve always been of the mind that my readers prefer boutique hotels and budget stays. But over the past 20 years of writing about Italy, my tastes and preferences have evolved.
For example, I used to think that spending a lot of money on a hotel was wasteful, especially if you are going to be sightseeing all day. That was such a youthful mindset! Now that I’m older, I’ve come to appreciate the luxury of a well-appointed suite, a pillowy cloud of a bed, and a room with a view. There’s nothing wrong with aspiring to stay in the best accommodations you can afford.
With that said, here are three new luxury stays in Italy: two in Rome and one in Emilia-Romagna.
I would LOVE to stay in one of these. Wouldn’t you?
Hotel de la Ville, Rome
Rocco Forte Hotels, the group behind one of Rome’s most beloved luxury hotels Hotel de Russie, has opened a new hotel mere blocks away. The Hotel de la Ville is located on the Via Sistina, one of the streets that lead to the top of the Spanish Steps.
Inspired by the aesthetic of the Grand Tour, the 104 rooms and suites of the Hotel de la Ville have hardwood floors and marble bathrooms, and each are uniquely decorated by the design team of Olga Polizzi and Tommaso Ziffer. The hotel also features the De La Ville Spa, with five treatment rooms for facials, massages, and Mediterranean salt inhalation (halotherapy), as well as a rooftop bar that overlooks the domes and terracotta tiles of the Spagna neighborhood.
Book your stay at Hotel de la Ville in Rome
Casa Maria Luigia, Emilia-Romagna Countryside (Modena)
The Casa Maria Luigia is quite different from the other two listings in this post. The 12-room country house is located in the countryside of Emilia-Romagna outside the city of Modena. A stay here will also be coveted by travelers looking for an exclusive gourmet experience.
Massimo Bottura, the chef behind Modena’s 3-star Michelin restaurant Osteria Francescana, and his partner Lara Gilmore opened Casa Maria Luigia to showcase the food and creativity of Osteria Francescana in a more intimate setting, that being the Carriage House of the property. Guests can partake in a 9-course tasting menu at Francesca at Maria Luigia (with advanced booking that is separate from the accommodations).
Book your stay at Casa Maria Luigia
The Grand House, Rome
The Grand House is more than a hotel, it is a full-service luxury travel experience. As Founder & CEO Massimo Micangeli explains, “historic homes become luxurious suites in the hotel that is the city itself.”
This is Airbnb on a grand scale. For example, travelers can rent a Renaissance-era palace once owned by the Costaguti family, the former residence of Napoleon III, or a “simple” apartment with an incredible panoramic view of the Colosseum.
All rentals with The Grand House come with membership in The Grand Club, a way to add on to a Rome holiday with some very unique bespoke journeys. Horseback riding, helicopter rides to the Castelli, street art and market tours, walks in the park and around town with writers who put the Eternal City into context…The Grand House has a lot to offer and I appreciate their vision and ambition to build more than just a hotel network.
Book your stay at The Grand House
Last updated on January 17th, 2023Post first published on May 23, 2019
