Florence is known for its art and architecture, with famous museums like the Galleria dell’Accademia, where Michelangelo’s David can be seen, and the Uffizi Gallery which houses Botticelli’s Birth of Venus among many stunning works of art. Visitors enjoy browsing the gold and jewelry shops on Ponte Vecchio, as well as shopping and dining at the Mercato Centrale Firenze. Florence’s stunning Gothic Duomo in the heart of the city and the Santa Maria Novella church are beautiful attractions, and the Boboli Gardens should also be on any visitor’s itinerary.
These hotels in Florence, Venice, and Rome caught readers’ attention in the “World’s Best Awards” survey for 2025.
A view of Venice from a guest room at the Hotel Cipriani.
The next few months are major for Italy, as Rome celebrates the Jubilee, also known as the “Holy Year,” for all of 2025, and with a brand-new Pope to boot. And that’s why this year is the prime time to visit some of the European nation’s most iconic cities, which continue to captivate travelers with world-class art, history, cuisine, and naturally, some fantastic hotels.
This year, Travel + Leisure readers picked plenty of hotels offering that cultural appeal, including in Florence, the hub of contemporary design; Venice, with dreamy canal-side spots; and Rome, where elegant grand hotels reign supreme. Read on to discover the hotels that travelers say are unmissable across Italia.
How Voting Works
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:
- Rooms/facilities
- Location
- Service
- Food
- Value
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
What Readers Loved About Florence Hotels
Readers who frequented Florence over the last few months celebrated and voted for the hotels that offer modern interiors without sacrificing their authentic Florentine heritage. Properties like Hotel Lungarno (No. 3) underwent a full revamp in 2017, bringing in new furnishings and updating just about everything, but preserving its original blue, white, and leather decor in the lobby to ensure it always stays recognizable. Then there’s the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze (No. 2), home to Florence’s largest private garden and an idyllic pool on the outside, and original frescos on the inside. Still, this year, nothing beat the historic charm of Hotel Calimala, located right in the heart of the city’s historic center.
Why You Should Eat At A Gas Station on Your Next Trip to ItalyClose
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The next few months are major for Italy, as Rome celebrates the Jubilee, also known as the “Holy Year,” for all of 2025, and with a brand-new Pope to boot. And that’s why this year is the prime time to visit some of the European nation’s most iconic cities, which continue to captivate travelers with world-class art, history, cuisine, and naturally, some fantastic hotels.
This year, Travel + Leisure readers picked plenty of hotels offering that cultural appeal, including in Florence, the hub of contemporary design; Venice, with dreamy canal-side spots; and Rome, where elegant grand hotels reign supreme. Read on to discover the hotels that travelers say are unmissable across Italia.
- How Voting WorksEvery year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:
- Rooms/facilities
- Location
- Service
- Food
- Value
What Readers Loved About Florence Hotels
Readers who frequented Florence over the last few months celebrated and voted for the hotels that offer modern interiors without sacrificing their authentic Florentine heritage. Properties like Hotel Lungarno (No. 3) underwent a full revamp in 2017, bringing in new furnishings and updating just about everything, but preserving its original blue, white, and leather decor in the lobby to ensure it always stays recognizable. Then there’s the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze (No. 2), home to Florence’s largest private garden and an idyllic pool on the outside, and original frescos on the inside. Still, this year, nothing beat the historic charm of Hotel Calimala, located right in the heart of the city’s historic center.
Florence Winner
A guest room at Hotel Calimala, in Florence.
Hotel Calimala occupies not one but two restored buildings from the 16th and 19th centuries with modern flair thanks to furnishings by designer Alex Meitlis. Each room and suite comes with exposed stone walls punctuated by bright furniture and chrome accents that marry the old and new once more. But don’t miss the Angel Roofbar & Dining terrace, which includes sweeping city views and a plunge pool ideal for summer aperitivi. “Best hotel I’ve ever been to,” one reader exclaimed, underscoring why Hotel Calimala soared to the top of Florence’s list. “Unbeatable location, excellent service and staff.”
Florence Full List
1. Hotel Calimala
Reader Score: 97.25
2. Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Reader Score: 96.00
3. Hotel Lungarno
Reader Score: 91.53
What Readers Loved About Venice Hotels
In Venice, readers favored hotels that deliver true canal-side escapism, with private boat transfers and waterfront dining, like that offered at The St. Regis Venice, which took home the No. 3 spot on this year’s list. Those looking for even more seclusion found it at the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, which snagged the No. 2 spot, as it sits on 40 acres on the private island of Isola delle Rose. But for 2025, readers simply adored all the luxurious amenities offered at Hotel Cipriani, a Belmond Hotel, Venice, which came in at No 1.
Venice Winner
Hotel Cipriani, a Belmond Hotel, Venice
Located on Giudecca Island, Hotel Cipriani sports an absolutely opulent, heated Olympic-size saltwater pool, is punctuated with local artifacts and antiques in every corner, and includes massive manicured gardens with gorgeous views of the lagoon. Really, what more could one ask for? Well, maybe private balconies and terraces across extravagant suites, along with boat rides from its private launch that transport you to St. Mark’s Square in minutes. “Many hotels claim to be luxury, or to be a haven within a bustling city. The Cipriani excels at these things like no other place in the world,” one reader said. “It allows the perfect escape from the busy streets and canals of Venice into a world all its own. The staff, the food, and the pool! Unequalled in Venice. You cannot appreciate how wonderful the hotel truly is until you have stayed there.”
Many hotels claim to be luxury, or to be a haven within a bustling city. The Cipriani excels at these things like no other place in the world.
Venice Full List
1. Hotel Cipriani, a Belmond Hotel, Venice
Reader Score: 95.16
2. JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
Reader Score: 95.09
3. The St. Regis Venice
Reader Score: 92.44
What Readers Loved About Rome Hotels
In Rome, readers sought solace in the city’s intimate and lavish hotels, including properties housed in historic palaces, like Hotel de la Ville, a Rocco Forte Hotel (No. 2) and Bulgari Hotel Roma (No. 4), located in Piazza Augusto Imperatore. Rome’s signature rooftop terraces with views also earned praise, including the panoramas of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Spanish Steps seen from the Hotel Splendide Royal Roma, which helped it take home this year’s No. 1 spot.
Rome Winner
Hotel Splendide Royal Roma
Dining tables at Mirabelle, the rooftop restaurant at the Hotel Splendide Royal Roma, overlook the city of Rome.
Hotel Splendide Royal is as grand a stay as it gets. Housed in a late-19th-century palace on Via di Porta Pinciana, the hotel overlooks the Villa Borghese gardens, though its views aren’t the only thing worth booking for. Its warm parquet floors, antique paintings, and suites with private terraces all give travelers the perfect Roman holiday experience. For the best view in town, head to Mirabelle, the rooftop restaurant where you can see Rome’s complete skyline. Travelers don’t need to go far to visit the city’s best sites either, as the hotel’s central location means spots like the Spanish Steps are just a quick passeggiata, or stroll, away. “From the moment we arrived at Hotel Splendide Royal Roma, our experience was nothing short of extraordinary,” one reader said. “This hotel truly lives up to its name, delivering a royal and splendid experience in every possible way. The staff went above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable. From the warm and efficient check-in to the personalized recommendations for local attractions, we felt genuinely cared for throughout our visit.”
This hotel truly lives up to its name, delivering a royal and splendid experience in every possible way.
Rome Full List
1. Hotel Splendide Royal Roma
Reader Score: 96.89
2. Hotel de la Ville, a Rocco Forte Hotel
Reader Score: 96.27
3. The St. Regis Rome Hotel
Reader Score: 95.80
4. Bulgari Hotel Roma
Reader Score: 93.11
5. Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel
Reader Score: 92.69
