Free Guide to My Favorite Stays in Italy

I have visited Italy pretty extensively now. I have been to Tuscany, Puglia, the Dolomites, Mont Blanc, Amalfi, Cinque Terre + Ligurian Coast, Rome, etc and spent a lot of time exploring the country. Along the way I have gathered up some recommendations from places I've loved. This will be a growing guide as I continue to travel throughout Italy so make sure to save it and check back for updates! I have also in my visits seen/visited hotels that look fantastic and have great locations, amenities, etc. Or put my friends/family up in places that they've since reviewed for me. I will make sure to be very clear throughout this guide which stays I recommend from personal experience and which I believe to be great recs. ***My notes on each place will be in the notes section under the stay so make sure to click to read them!***

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Updated ago

Montepulciano, Tuscany

Residenza Fabroni

@planformedani

Incredible place to stay. We loved our suite in this guesthouse and the owners could not have been more kind. They gave us amazing recommendations for food and they also gave us vouchers for breakfast at the best cafe in town. We did a wine tasting with tons of food on the roof of the hotel and it was a highlight of our entire time in Montepulciano.

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Monterosso, Cinque Terre

Hotel Albergo Degli Amici

@planformedani

I loved this hotel, it was perfectly situated in a quiet area of the old town. Had a nice breakfast. The most special part was the garden up above the hotel, it had lemon trees, and grape vines, and just the most stunning view over the ocean and town. If you're looking for the best place you can get without completely breaking the bank I think this spot is it. You can also book rooms with a balcony which are really nice!

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Restaurant Hotel Porto Roca

@planformedani

I recently planned a family trip to the Cinque Terre and my parents stayed here. They absolutely loved it. They had a nice spacious room with a view of the sea, the staff was kind and helpful, they shuttled my mom to and from town (she has mobility issues), the pool area is so stunning, the breakfast was fantastic. Overall, although this is pricer than where I normally stay, it is an excellent choice in Monterosso.

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Villa Accini

@planformedani

This was a beautiful stay. It is located on the newer side of Monterosso and is set back a bit from the beach and main area. This was so nice and peaceful. The staff was so kind. The courtyard area was beautiful. I stayed in the front and center room with the balcony and I was so happy with it!

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Hotel Margherita

@planformedani

We stayed at this hotel on our honeymoon and although I would recommend the others above first, it was a really nice and easy stay.

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Camogli, Liguria

Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi

@planformedani

We absolutely LOVED our time in Camogli and this hotel looks like a dream. I would love to come back someday and stay here and enjoy the luxury while visiting the most delightful town!

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Sublimis Boutique Hotel

@planformedani

We did not personally stay here, we were in a beautiful airbnb. However we were traveling with friends and they stayed here and raved about it. They said it was very clean, they were able to have breakfast in their room, they had a really incredible view over the town, and overall it was a wonderful place to be.

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Ventimiglia, Imperia

La Terrazza di Vico Olivi B&B

@planformedani

We were completely charmed by this stay and by Ventimiglia in general. If you're in this area this is a great place to stay. The hosts are super kind and accommodating, the rooftop garden area is perfection, the room was comfy and clean. Just a note if you have mobility issues this likely wouldn't work for you. It's steep in the town and the stairs in the place are steep too. But if you're good with it this place is a GEM!

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Milan, Italy

Hotel Spadari Al Duomo

@planformedani

Another stay that I put my parents in. They were THRILLED. They said the staff was so kind, the room was clean with a great view, the hotel even did a little apertivo for the guests. They said it was a great location and they would highly recommend.

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Rome, Italy

For a nice stay in Trastevere

VILLA DELLA FONTE GUESTHOUSE

@planformedani

This is our favorite neighborhood in Rome and such a beautiful and amazing area to stay in. You can still get to everything easily and with accommodation in Rome being pricey this place didn't break the bank. It is important to remember that there are definitely areas closer to the main sites. But this neighborhood has such an amazing vibe and it's a great place to be in the evenings in Rome.

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Affordable & easy near the train station

Buonarroti Guest House

@planformedani

Rome is expensive, this will get you what you need, in a good location, for a reasonable price. Had a bed, shower, AC, and was clean...

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Place I haven't stayed that looks fabulous

casa Monti

@planformedani

This is a newer hotel in an area of Rome that I love. Close to everything. A journalist that I follow closely recommended it and I'd love to try and stay someday.

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Dolomites

in Cortina

Hotel Ambra Cortina D'Ampezzo

@planformedani

We LOVED our stay here! The absolute cutest little bar right inside the front door, very nice and accommodating staff, extremely comfortable bed, giant bathtub with a mountain view, and a very excellent breakfast. There was nothing to dislike about this place, I only wish we stayed longer!

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Rifugios In the Dolomites

In the interest of honestly here, we stayed in some absolutely incredible Rifugios in the Dolomites along the Alta Via 1 hike. They aren't on booking.com and I don't get any commission for you staying in any of these, but I would be remiss to not include them as they are some of the most delightful places we've ever stayed.

Rifugio Pederù - Rifugio Lavarella

@planformedani

This particular rifugio is renowned for its food and I can confirm their homemade pastas were a dream. The location is absolutely stunning and you can drive there so if you're not a hiker you can access it. The rooms have incredible views, the place is such a nice vibe and I highly recommend it!

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Rifugio Lagazuoi

@planformedani

My favorite place I may have ever been. The views from this place are NOT real, it is like a movie scene. The food is wonderful, the staff is great, the rooms are small and basic but comfortable but it doesn't even matter because you're here for the views the views the views!

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Rifugio Averau

@planformedani

We adored this place as well. We had a very comfortable private room and the food here was wonderful. The views were amazing and SUNRISE here is what you've gotta get up for!

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Venice

Hotel Colombina

@planformedani

We stayed here on our honeymoon and arrived by boat which was SO cool! We had a room overlooking the canal and it was picture perfect. The hotel is gorgeous and provides for a perfect Venice experience. It is also nearby to all the main attractions and makes it easy to walk anywhere you need to go.

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Hotel Cannaregio2357

@planformedani

Ask for room 207! We had an amazing canal view and the room was super clean and comfortable. This is a great location in Venice, it's walkable to everything and easy to get to the train station, bus station, etc. The area has a very local feel and they recommended an excellent area for us to have dinner as well! Great stay!

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AC Hotel Venice

@planformedani

Really nice hotel near the train station. It's a little bit of a walk to the main sites but I didn't mind that at all. It's a really nice stay and what you'd expect from a Marriott property. The area actually feels a bit more local which I really liked and it had easy access to get to the airport at the end of our stay.

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Do Pozzi waterdoor elegant flat - Venezia, Veneto,

www.airbnb.com

This airbnb was a dream come true. The door that opened up onto the canal was so wonderful and such an amazing place to relax and watch the world go by. There wasn't tons of traffic on the water so sometimes we had to wait a bit to see anyone go by. The neighborhood was very local and so lovely and the host was extremely kind and responsive. Also gave us a great resto recommendation which we absolutely loved.

Sorrento, Amalfi

Grand Hotel la Favorita

@planformedani

We stayed here on our honeymoon and I don't know if we realized how good we had it. The rooftop pool was INCREDIBLE and had amazing views. The whole entire place was so beautifully decorated and perfectly located. This is truly a luxury hotel experience.

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Florence, Tuscany

Hotel Santa Maria Novella

@planformedani

An incredible place to stay on our honeymoon. We had a balcony right on the square and it was so lively and fun to be a part of the scene. The room was so beautiful and luxurious and the hotel was just stunning. I couldn't recommend this spot more if you're in Florence. We could also walk to absolutely everything we needed.

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Prosecco Hills, Veneto

Azienda Agricola Mani Sagge

@planformedani

I literally can not say enough good things about this property. The hosts were incredible, so kind, and so thoughtful, and made our experience amazing. We did a wine tasting, ate dinner here, rode ebikes around town, and just enjoyed the absolutely incredible scenery all around. I dream of coming back here. The room was so so clean and so comfortable and I couldn't recommend this place more highly!

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Courmayeur, Mont Blanc

Hotel Crampon

@planformedani

We stayed here in the summer while hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc. I am sure it would be wonderful and cozy in the winter as well. The staff here were so kind, welcoming, and helpful. Our room was very comfortable and had a balcony with the most amazing views.

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Monopoli, Puglia

In Puglia we stayed in airbnb's because we were traveling with friends in a group. I do know and understand the locations of these towns so if I was going to book for just myself and my husband here are two options I'd consider.

B&B Le Contrade Chiasso Cafaro

@planformedani

This place looks so charming and like quintessential Monopoli. It has excellent reviews and is in a great location. This is likely a spot I'd book if we revisited.

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Bellariva B & B and Relax

@planformedani

This spot looks excellent as well. A short walk to the center of the town and views of the beach and ocean. Definitely looks charming and another place I'd consider when coming back! Looks very romantic and has great reviews!

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Dream Stays

This section is going to include a few spots in Italy that I dream of staying but have not personally stayed in yet!

Chalet Al Foss Alp Resort

@planformedani

This place looks like an absolute dream. Def a stay for a super special occasion, honeymoon, etc. I hope to stay someday! They have so many cool experiences and different things you can do on the property. It just looks epic! If you go, tell me about it when you get back please!

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Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi

@planformedani

We absolutely LOVED our time in Camogli and this hotel looks like a dream. I would love to come back someday and stay here and enjoy the luxury while visiting the most delightful town!

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* * *

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Plan For Me Dani

Available for hire

My name is Danielle and I have been planning trips for the past 10 years. One thing special and unique about my guides is that I am not producing guides that I didn't currently use myself. The places in my guides are places I have been, the itineraries are itineraries that I have personally followed. Everything is real and I have vetted myself. My travel planning story started with a honeymoon to Italy and since then it has grown each and every year. I love all kinds of travel! It's hard to fine a niche because I fit into so many categories. I love nature, hiking, and being outdoors. I love beaches and sunsets and sipping wine and cocktails in pretty places. I love learning about people and cultures and history. I love street art and busy cities and I also love small towns and quieter places. I will sleep in a hostel and I enjoy a beautiful hotel. I love South and Central America and I am obsessed with Europe. I've been to Asia twice and hope to get back in the next few years. I love to eat and one thing you'll always get from me are true and great reviews of places that I've personally eaten! I have just returned from Albania and I am working on guides from that trip! My full time job is as a School Leader of Social and Emotional Learning in Philadelphia. All my travel is done on school breaks and in the summer. I have still managed to visit over 36 countries and countless cities along the way. Being a teacher my whole life is about planning and I do believe I am exceptional at it. I work VERY hard to plan incredible trips and now you can hopefully benefit from that as well!

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