Italy, a vivid tapestry of scenic wonders, is in a league of its own when it comes to timeless travel seduction. From Florence’s Renaissance marvels to Naples’ renowned pizzas and Tuscany’s sun-drenched vineyards, Italy serves up la dolce vita on a silver platter. Whether wandering through Venetian palaces, mingling with fashion luminaries in Milan, relaxing on Sicilian shores, or racing through Rome on a Vespa, these eight affordable & adorable boutique hotels let you enjoy Italy’s splendors with starting nightly rates of under $250/night.
Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo (Florence, Italy)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 16 • Airport: Florence Airport | Amenities: • Outdoor Swimming Pool • Room Service • Free WiFi • 1 Bar & Restaurant |
From housing the illustrious Medici family dynasty to welcoming star-studded guests like supermodel Kate Moss and acclaimed actress Emma Thompson, Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo has earned its place in the MICHELIN Guide, and rightfully so. Perched on Bellosguardo Hill, this historic hotel offers unparalleled views over Florence’s Renaissance jewel, just a short distance from the city center. With 16 elegantly preserved rooms, manicured gardens, and a glimmering outdoor pool, you might find it hard to leave once you experience its charm.
Starting nightly rate of $205 per night in low season.
Grand Universe Lucca (Lucca, Italy)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 55 • Airport: Pisa International Airport | Amenities: • Fitness Center • Room Service • Free WiFi • 1 Bar & Restaurant |
Set within the intact 16th-century walls of Tuscany’s Lucca, the Grand Universe Lucca is a 55-key boutique hotel at the base of the Apuan Alps. Guests enjoy sweeping views of Saint Martino’s Cathedral, the town’s historic churches, monuments, and the Teatro del Giglio. Polished guestrooms sport contemporary designs with velvet headboards in golden yellow, teal blue, and ruby red, adding vibrant pops of color to these fashionable quarters. Sipping champagne on Lucca’s rooftop terrace under the moonlight is an unforgettable experience when staying here.
Starting nightly rate of $250 per night in low season.
Masseria Le Carrube (Ostuni, Italy)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 19 • Airport: Brindisi – Salento Airport | Amenities: • Outdoor Swimming Pool • Wonderful Breakfast • Free WiFi • 1 Bar & Restaurant |
Hidden away from Ostuni, known as the “White City” in Italy’s Puglia region, Le Carrube pays homage to the town’s rugged, white-washed architecture surrounded by olive groves. Its 19 guestrooms and suites blend antique furnishings with modern touches like reclaimed wood and luxury linens, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. Ancient Puglian culture is evident, featuring a traditional trullo, an aged olive mill, and a 12th-century olive press.
Starting nightly rate of $200 per night in low season.
Tenuta di Murlo (Umbria, Italy)
| Key Points: • Website • 5 Stars • Rooms: 6 • Airport: San Francesco d’Assisi Airport | Amenities: • Outdoor Swimming Pool • On-Site Shuttle • Breakfast • 1 Bar & Restaurant |
Helmed by the Carabba Tettamanti family since the 16th century, Tenuta de Murlo is an intimate, private family estate spanning 18,000 acres of land overlooking the Italian countryside. Guests will find refurbished yet rustic interiors in its three deluxe rooms showcasing original terracotta tiled floors, wood beam ceilings, and exposed stone accents. With its glistening 60-foot-long pool, the outdoor terrace transforms romantic Italian getaway dreams into reality.
Starting nightly rate of $235 per night in low season.
Palazzo Presta (Gallipoli, Italy)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 10 • Airport: Brindisi – Salento Airport | Amenities: • Room Service • Wonderful Breakfast • Free WiFi • 2 Bars & Restaurants |
Staying at Palazzo Presta promises Italian luxury intertwined with historic charm; nestled in the captivating old town of Gallipoli, it offers access to the aquamarine Ionian Sea, enhancing its allure. Its prestige continues with just ten rooms adorned with curated antique upholstery, bespoke artworks, and a seductive color palette that will draw guests in. Beyond the chambers, the sleek, glossy-tiled Lazzaro&Caterina restaurant and debonair Terrazza Laurus cocktail club make venturing outside your room worthwhile.
Starting nightly rate of $125 per night in low season.
Locanda in Tuscany (Val d’Orcia, Tuscany)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 9 • Airport: Perugia San Francesco d’Assisi Airport | Amenities: • Outdoor Swimming Pool • Free Parking • Free WiFi • 1 Bar & Restaurant |
A dreamy retreat away from typical Tuscan hotspots, Locanda in Tuscany offers nine rustic yet elegant rooms in the enchanting Val d’Orcia Region. Each room reflects traditional Tuscan architecture and picturesque bucolic vineyard views. En suite bathrooms with vintage gold-framed mirrors and freestanding bathtubs overlook farmhouse windows. Sun chairs surround the celestial blue lap pool, perfect for relaxation. Its idyllic ambiance makes it a popular choice for weddings and special occasions.
Starting nightly rate of $210 per night in low season.
Casa a Corte (Nardò, Italy)
| Key Points: • Website • 5 Stars • Rooms: 7 • Airport: Brindisi – Salento Airport | Amenities: • Outdoor Swimming Pool • Airport Shuttle • Free WiFi • 0 Bars & Restaurants |
With its Baroque architectural charm, Casa a Corte offers an ornate retreat in the off-the-beaten-path Italian village of Nardò. This exclusive 7-room home seamlessly melds the building’s original features—rugged pavements, patterned tiled floors, and exposed stone walls—with contemporary elements such as mid-century furniture, modern technology, and updated bedding. After days of exploring the town, guests can unwind by the citrus-scented courtyard lido, lounging until evening.
Starting nightly rate of $136 per night in low season.
CasaCau (Rome, Italy)
| Key Points: • Website • 4 Stars • Rooms: 6 • Airport: Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport | Amenities: • Fully-Equipped Kitchenette • In-Room Mini Fridge • Free WiFi • 0 Bars & Restaurants |
If you want to imagine life in Rome, CasaCau’s fashionable six bedrooms, each equipped with a kitchenette, provide the perfect setting to envision living in the Eternal City. Just steps away from the Trevi Fountain, this 17th-century boutique hotel is a secluded hideaway dripping with Italian chic style: fresco-printed headboards, authentic furnishings, and a color palette of turquoise and tangerine invoke a design-forward aura.
Starting nightly rate of $225 per night in low season.
