Some of the Best Accommodation in Italy

In this week’s post I’m going to offer up some of the best accommodation in Italy — aka Lynne’s favorite accommodation in Italy.

A couple of months ago, I wrote a post on the best accommodation in Ireland so now I want to cover another of my favorite countries — Italy.

Once again, I’ll hone in on the places I’ve stayed that I really like and would definitely recommend.

I’ll tell you where each guesthouse or B&B or agriturismo is located and then why I recommend it — why I love it.

The properties are definitely scattered about the country.

I’ll offer up honorable mentions to hotels and guesthouses that I haven’t stayed in, but where clients have and have given their 2 thumbs up.

I know we aren’t traveling to Europe now, but it’s a good time to begin planning a bit — do a little daydreaming and some research.

That way when we can fully travel again, we are ready to go.

So are you excited to learn about some of my favorite places to stay in Italy?

Let’s do this!

One note: Due to COVID-19, some of these wonderful guesthouses and B&B’s could close in the coming months — although I hope not!

At the time of this writing they were all still in business (yay!)

We all know the situation is constantly changing so do check with each accommodation.

Hotel Olympia

Location: San Vigilio di Marebbe, Alto Adige (Südtirol), Italy — just a short walk up a hill from the center of town

Why I love it: 

This is one of the best accommodation in Italy.

In fact, it is one of my all time favorite accommodations in Europe. 

Period.

The story of how I ended up here has been told, but let’s just say I was supposed to stay elsewhere in San Vigilio and by some serendipitous circumstances, I stayed at Hotel Olympia.

And a love affair began!

I simply love everything about this small, family run hotel.

The location is fabulous, just a wee bit up the hill from the center of the village — so within walking distance.

And yes, you get amazing views across town to the Dolomite peaks.

The rooms are large with comfy beds, good-sized bathrooms, storage space and most rooms have balconies.

You’ll get a huge selection at the breakfast buffet and dinner is included in the price — unless you opt out.

But don’t.

Dinner is a true experience with themed table decorations and delicious food — most of which will have a traditional Südtirol twist. 

Bring your appetite!

There is spa downstairs that is free to use — steam room, sauna, hot tub. 

You can book extra services such as a massage as well. 

There is a bar area with a fireplace where you can have a coffee or tea or a pre or post dinner drink.

But the best thing about Hotel Olympia is the family who runs it — Marco, his wife Fabiana and their daughter, Camilla.

I love this family!

I have always felt so welcome here and I can’t wait to return.

Hotel Olympia rocks!!

Hotel Cavallino D’Oro

Location: Castelrotto/Kastelruth, Alto Adige (Südtirol), Italy — right in the heart of the village

Why I love it:

Hotel Cavallino d’Oro is a fabulous hotel with excellent service.

I’m not 100% sure how many rooms it has, but it is larger than Hotel Olympia.

But because the service is so good, it doesn’t feel impersonal like some hotels do.

The rooms are all decorated in south tyrolean style which means a lot of wood and details like flowers painted on the wood.

I stayed in a small single, but the bathroom was quite large.

No balcony this time!

There are double rooms, a few single rooms and some suites.

And yes, there are some rooms with balconies.

Again there is a large breakfast buffet with all the choices and the restaurant is open for dinner. 

The food is delicious!

Hotel Cavallino d’Oro also has a marvelous bar area.

I loved sitting here after dinner with a drink and meeting other travelers or doing a bit of work on my laptop.

There is a small spa downstairs with steam room, sauna and massage room.

I love that you get these small spas for no extra cost in this part of Italy!

The only downfall to this otherwise wonderful hotel is that it sits just under the bell tower.

So from about 6am to 10pm you’ll hear the bell ring. 

Other than that, Hotel Cavallino d’Oro is one of the best places to stay in Italy.

In fact, one day I was not feeling so good and one of the staff called my room to check on me as they were concerned about me.

Awww…that’s the kind of service I love!

Garni Doris

Location: Castelrotto/Kastelruth, Alto Adige (Südtirol), Italy

Why I love it:

I stayed at Garni Doris on my recent visit to Kastelruth and I really like this family run accommodation.

The rooms are a wee bit dated but squeaky clean.

Again, I had a decent sized single room with a desk, balcony, comfy bed and I had a lot of closet/storage space which was great. 

The bathroom was just big enough for a single room.

What makes Garni Doris one of the best accommodation in Italy is the huge breakfast spread. 

Seriously.

Garni Doris has everything you can imagine to eat.

They don’t have a full on restaurant but do offer up some small lunch plates, snacks (like ice cream), coffee, tea and adult beverages that are available throughout the day.

Garni Doris is located right along the main road, so if you have a front facing room, you will get traffic noise in the warmer months when you have windows and doors open.

This was the one thing I didn’t like about this accommodation because I tend to be a light sleeper.

But that was the only con to this otherwise fantastic place to stay.

Garni Zimmerhoffer

Location: Campo Tures/Sand in Taufers, Alto Adige (Südtirol), Italy — in the heart of town

Why I love it:

Garni Zimmerhoffer is another of those more traditional style guesthouses in the Südtirol region of Northern Italy.

Rooms are in the traditional style of the region — and I really like this aspect.

I had a single room here that was small yet had a balcony. 

I don’t mind small, single rooms.

What I don’t like are rooms that are dark and feel as though I’ve been put into a closet.

And the single room I stayed in at Garni Zimmerhoffer was not a dark closet — at all.

I had awesome views to the Zillertal Alps, the town and even the castle.

The single bed was warm and comfortable and the bathroom is a good size for a single room.

Breakfast is plentiful with all the choices that seem to be so typical of this region of Italy — all kinds of breads and pastries, cereal, fruit, yogurt, eggs, meats, cheeses, juice, coffee, tea.

The prices are quite good.

2020 prices are €39-50/night for a single and €34-45/person/night for a double room.

Garni Zimmerhoffer is definitely one of the best places to stay in Italy — especially in this under visited piece of Alto Adige.

Agriturismo Il Gioco dell’Oca

Location: approximately 2.7km from the village of Barolo and 13km from the town of Alba, Piedmont, Italy

Why I love it:

So let’s first define agriturismo.

This is a farm stay in Italy.

A farm stay can be very basic and rustic or it can be very luxurious — or somewhere in between which is where I find many agriturismi (plural of agriturismo) to be.

In order for an agriturismo to be an agriturismo it must still be a working farm of some sort — so it must produce some sort of food or drink, raise animals, etc. 

Agriturismo Il Gioco dell’Oca is an eighteenth century farm house that has been restored to its former glory by its owner, Rafaella.

We’ll get to Rafaella soon.

Anyway, she inherited Il Gioco dell’Oco from her grandparents and renovated the heck out of this beautiful place.

There are 6 bedrooms and one mini apartment with cooking facilities. 

All rooms are large and are decorated in a traditional style.

She has one extra room that she rents out occasionally that is at the top of the house, so it has slanted ceilings.

This was the room I stayed in for one week and I loved it.

The room is large with a decent-sized bathroom. 

Yes, it has slanted ceilings, but I’m short.

So no big deal for me. 

This agriturismo is not way out in the middle of nowhere so it’s convenient for getting around to sites or vineyards in the Langhe region of Piedmont.

The single downfall to Il Gioco dell’Oco is that one side does face the busy main road — the SP3 — which has a bit of traffic during the day.

But all the pros outweigh this in my opinion.

Breakfast is plentiful with lots of typical Italian breads and cakes plus yogurt, fruit, cereal and hot breakfast with eggs if you want it.

I love sitting outside for breakfast in the courtyard on warm mornings!

On cooler or rainy days, you’ll get to sit in the traditionally decorated breakfast room with all its wood.

One of the things that makes Il Gioco dell’Oco one of the best accommodation in Italy is the fact that you can use the small kitchen.

I love this!

I used the refrigerator to store some food and used the dishes and cutlery to have my light dinners in the courtyard. 

This is when I met other travelers and got to know my host, Rafaella, better at these times.

So yes, now it’s time to talk about the best part of this agriturismo — Rafaella.

She is an amazing host.

Rafaella is warm, welcoming, intelligent, helpful and an outdoor lover. 

She is a hiker, cycling and she now can add wine maker to that list.

Rafaella and I instantly bonded.

The other great thing about Il Gioco dell’Oco are Rafaella’s Bernese Mountain dogs. 

In 2019 there were 2 — Chablis who was getting pretty old and my girl, Spritz, who was just a bit over a year old. 

I fell in love with Spritz.

For non-dog people, Spritz might be a bit of a pain-in-the-ass as she is overly friendly. 

She simply likes attention which is typical of the breed.

I, however, love dogs — so Spritz loved me.

Seriously though, Il Gioco dell’Oco is an amazing place to stay in Italy.

Dimora Buglioni

Location: in the middle of the vineyards, 4km from San Pietro in Cariano, Veneto, Italy

Why I love it:

This is sort of an agriturismo as it is owned by the Buglioni family who are the family behind the Bugloini vineyards.

But it is in some ways a bit more like a boutique hotel — that sits in the middle of the vines.

Best of both worlds!

This is what makes Dimora Buglioni one of the best accommodation in Italy.

The rooms are simple with stone walls, wood beamed ceilings and furniture and a wrought iron beds. 

Rooms look over the vineyards of the Valpolicella wine region — no matter where in the house you are located.

There’s a lovely terrace out front where you can eat your breakfast, share a bottle of wine and some snacks with new friends or simply sit and soak up some sun or read a book.

The breakfast buffet is plentiful with lots of fresh food. 

And the staff are there to help you out if you need it.

Locanda Buglioni is the restaurant owned by the Buglioni family that is just a half kilometer down the road from the dimora. 

It’s a nice walk down the dirt/gravel road and a lovely walk back.

I can’t say enough good things about Dimora Buglioni.

It really is one of the best accommodation in Italy.

Period.

Palazzo Gelmi

Location: Verona, Veneto, Italy

Why I love it:

The rooms and the central location make Palazzo Gelmi one of the best accommodation in Italy.

First of all the location is within a short walk to the famous Arena and the Piazza Brà.

Palazzo Gelmi really is in the perfect spot to enjoy all that Verona has to offer.

But the rooms are the best!

While there are only 3 rooms, the rooms are large with large bathrooms.

And these rooms have frescoes on the walls and ceilings that are simply gorgeous.

I really feel as though I’m in Italy when I stay at Palazzo Gelmi.

Breakfast is good, a bit more in line with a typical breakfast so not large.

But you won’t go hungry.

And Lucavida, your host, is so helpful.

She is definitely filled with lots of information on Verona and the surrounding area and will offer up some guidance on what to do and where to go.

I just love this little guesthouse.

Locanda del Gallo

Location: between Perugia and Gubbio — 25km from Perugia and 22km from Gubbio, Umbria, Italy

Why I love it:

The location is stunning!

Locanda del Gallo is one of the best accommodation in Italy because of this gorgeous location. 

It sits out on this ridge that overlooks the mountains of this part of Umbria.

Locanda del Gallo is a country house but it’s also a boutique hotel.

There are 10 beautiful, large rooms, all differing in size and decor.

And, because this is a place where you come for peace and tranquility, there are no tv’s!

This country house also has a fabulous garden and spa with an outdoor pool and jacuzzi that overlooks the mountains.

Regrettably, I didn’t have a swimsuit so I didn’t enjoy the pool or jacuzzi but did sit in one of the chairs around it taking in the views. 

Wow!

But there’s more to Locanda del Gallo.

The restaurant serves up scrumptious food — lots of choices for breakfast, which is included in the price of your room, and you can have lunch and/or dinner for extra.

I ate dinner at the restaurant all 3 nights and it was delicious!

You can book a massage in the spa for true relaxation.

And, if you have a yoga group, there is a separate building down a garden path that leads to a yoga studio that has views all around it. 

The only thing not to love about Locanda del Gallo is that it does come at a higher price.

But it’s worth the splurge.

I’m dreaming of a return trip!!

Antico Borgo di Tignano

Location: settlement of Tignano approximately 17km from Volterra and 45km from Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Why I love it:

This is not exactly an agriturismo but feels a bit like one.

Antico Borgo di Tignano sits down a gravel road on a hill.

And, like Locanda del Gallo, what makes this one of the best accommodation in Italy is this incredible location with amazing views.

Antico Borgo di Tignano has 13 apartments spread over a couple of buildings.

Yes, these are apartment rather than rooms so you’ll have a kitchen — which I think is great.

Some of the apartments are large enough for families or 2 or 3 couples. 

All apartments are simply decorated in that rustic Tuscan style that I personally love.

Most have some sort of terrace, balcony or outdoor space to enjoy the views of the Tuscan hills.

You get small breakfast buffet which is served in the restaurant called La Terrazza di Dante, Dante’s Terrace.

You can have dinner at the restaurant which I highly recommend.

Sitting outside on the terrace, overlooking the Tuscan hills with pockets of forested areas is sublime.

And the food is delicious, so do eat dinner here at least once.

There is a meeting room or work room at Antico Borgo di Tignano that can be used by groups for parties, business retreats, yoga or even musical practices or performances. 

When I stayed a few years ago, there was a chorus (choir) who filled the air with their beautiful voices.

Nice bonus!

I got to know Gabriella, the owner, and Ezia, the chef.

Gabriella is a wonderful, warm, welcoming and intelligent woman. 

Ezia is not only an excellent chef, but also a warm, intelligent woman.

And I met some regular guests who seem to return to Antico Borgo di Tignano every year.

This really is a place that you can feel completely at home.

Fattoria San Martino

Location: Montepulciano — 1km from the heart of town (walkable to town), Tuscany, Italy

Why I love it: 

I love the location which is just down the hill a bit in the vineyards — a 1km walk into the town of Montepulciano.

However, it’s the unique, rustic, chic style of the rooms (called suites here) that make Fattoria San Martino one of the best accommodation in Italy.

Karin Lijftogt and Antonio Giorgini are the owners.

Karin, Dutch-born, is a designer who brings her exquisite taste to the rooms.

I loved my “junior suite” called Sophia.

The other wonderful aspect to Fattoria San Martino is Antonio’s organic approach to the garden — which ends up on your breakfast plate.

The restaurant wasn’t open for dinner when I stayed which was a bit off season a few years ago, but the meals look scrumptious.

Not only organic but vegetarian as well, dinner here is a must for your time at San Martino.

I was able to buy some of their honey which was divine.

They also have cooking classes.

Fattoria San Martino is definitely worth the splurge.

Hotel Davanzati

Location: Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Why I love it:

I love the location right in the heart of Florence.

I love the family that runs it as they are so helpful in setting up museum visits, restaurant reservations, taxi rides. 

There are 19 rooms spread over a few floors of varying sizes — single, small double, classic double, superior double, junior suite, suite and family suite.

The single rooms are a good-sized for a city hotel with decent-sized bathrooms.

What makes Hotel Davanzati one of the best accommodation is the free happy hour where you get a glass of prosecco and some snacks AND you get to meet other travelers. 

It’s a fun time for sure.

Breakfast is plentiful as well pastries, fruit, yogurt, coffee, tea and juice. 

I’ve had travel clients stay here as well and they loved it.

Hotel Davanzati is a great option for a stay in Florence.

Caesar House Residenze

Location: Rome — near the Roman Forum, Lazio, Italy

Why I love it:

I only stayed here one night but I absolutely loved it.

First of all the location is excellent right near the Roman Forum and just down the road from the Colosseum. 

It’s easy to walk to other sites around Rome.

The 6 rooms are located in a building, up some stairs or up the lift (elevator).

It really feels as though you are going into a home rather than a hotel or guesthouse as you walk down a hall.

The service at Caesar House is superb as one of the young girls working the desk chose a local restaurant for me and called to make the reservation.

Service like this makes this one the best accommodation in Italy. 

For me I want this level assistance from a hotel or guesthouse in a city like Rome. 

Although I had a small, economy room, it was still big enough for a couple and was tastefully decorated.

I didn’t get to enjoy breakfast in the breakfast room but had breakfast delivered to me room as I had an early flight in the morning.

This is an added service of Caesar House — breakfast in your room.

Love this and love this accommodation in Rome.

Now here is a short list of honorable mentions for best accommodation in Italy that my travel clients recommend (and I do too!)

Terre di Nano

Loctation: Agriturismo in Tuscany near Montepulciano and Pienza

Why: Nice rooms, great service, beautiful location

 

Il Rigo

Location: Agriturismo in Tuscany near Pienza and San Quirico d’Orcia

Why: beautiful location, delicious food, great service

 

Relais Uffizi

Location: Florence, Tuscany

Why: Large room, perfect location, good breakfast

 

Onda Verde

Location: Praiano, Amalfi Coast, Campania

Why: Fabulous location, nice rooms with views, excellent service

 

Hotel Mayr

Location: Castelrotto/Kastelruth, Alto Adige/Südtirol

Why: nice rooms, great location, delicious food

Please note that Wander Your Way does not recommend travel at this time due to the current global health situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, many destinations and attractions found on this website will not be operating although some places have opened. Please stay up to date using official sources like the WHO and CDC. I do plan to continue to write about incredible destinations and to offer tips on travel to Europe, so that you will find some solace in these posts — so you dream about travel and learn about travel. This way when we can all travel again, you’ll be ready to go! For now, stay home (or close to home) and stay safe!

 

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