The Forbes Traveler 400 experts pick the top hotels
Italy may be known for its wide variety of spectacular locales, but just three locations dominate this year’s Forbes Traveler 400, an honor roll of luxury properties chosen by a board of luxury travel experts. These gurus of luxe judged nearly 800 top-notch hotels on the quality of their rooms, service, decor, cuisine, public areas, recreational options and location.

The Italian lodgings on this year’s list vary widely in design, stature and guest experience ranging from urban grande dames to breathtaking coastal villas but when it comes to finding the best of the best, Rome, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast account for no less than 60 percent of the experts’ selections.

Given the size and influence of the capital city, it’s no surprise that Rome provided five of the top 25 hotels, all strolling distance from most of the city’s famed attractions. Closest to the Piazza del Poppolo is the Hotel de Russie, described as “the” hotel in Rome by more than one Forbes Traveler 400 board member. It’s an unusual retreat, offering an excellent spa, terraced gardens for strolling and even a tranquil butterfly oasis. Near the foot of the Spanish Steps, the Portrait Suites is a tasteful boutique property that feels more like staying at a quiet private residence. Its rooftop terrace offers an excellent nighttime view and makes a fine place to relax from a day of business or sightseeing.

The nearby Hassler (“a classic,” according to one board member) has been one of Rome’s top hotels since it opened shortly after the end of World War II. Here we find possibly the most attractive luxury suite in the city: a seventh-floor penthouse boasting antique furnishings, silk wall coverings, marble flooring trimmed with gold and a 2,100-square foot private terrace. Not far away, just off the Via Veneto, the St. Regis Grand Hotel has benefited from a $35 million restoration. All guests are enveloped in rich Empire and Regency decor, suite residents enjoy the brand’s signature 24-hour butler service, and heads of state appreciate the hotel’s private diplomatic entrance. Finally, further east, closer to the commercial center, the Hotel Eden offers top business facilities and a rooftop restaurant overlooking the historic seven hills of Rome with a wine list to match the view.

For those who prefer the Tuscan sun, the Forbes Traveler 400 experts have five suggestions. In Florence, the Hotel Savoy offers stylish luxury right on the Piazza Repubblica, just steps from the Duomo and the Uffizi, while the Hotel Lungarno overlooks the scenic Arno river, just across the Ponte Vecchio from some of the city’s most fascinating bars and cafés.
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