Recommended Hotels and B&Bs of Northern Italy

The hotels and B&Bs of Northern Italy recommended here (updated and expanded in January 2007)  are where we or our friends have stayed or visited, and, in a few cases, have been recommended by other sources we trust. They all share the following characteristics: small, few larger than 30 rooms; excellent locations; attractively furnished bedrooms with excellent beds; gracious staff (most owner-managed); breakfast and bar service (coffee, tea, juice, wine, beer, and aperitifs, and sometimes light snacks); private baths in most, if not all, rooms; and excellent value. Many of these hotels charge less than $150 per night for two (some charge less than $100), while some are more expensive.  The more expensive hotels are usually found in cities. 

Many country house hotels now offer spa facilities.  These hotels are generally more expensive than similar hotels without them.  You'll find several in this collection.  Another trend is the availability of cooking classes, some for only one day.  (To locate them quickly, search for "cooking.")

Many smaller hotels do not have an elevator.  If this type of access could present a problem for you, make sure to inquire about an elevator or a room on a lower floor when you make your reservation.

The recommended hotels and B&Bs are listed by location in the following order (the number following each location shows how many hotels and B&Bs are recommended there):

• Florence (37)
• Fiesole (in the Florentine hills) (3)
• Milan (8)
• Venice (19)
• Tuscany (59), including Siena (9), Lucca (6), Greve (6), and Montepulciano (5)
• Northern Lakes district (12): Lake Como (10), Lake Garda (2)
• Trentino Alto Adige (1)
• Umbria (10)
• Cinque Terre and other Ligurian towns (17)
• Emilia Romagna (9): Bologna (6),  Mantua (2), and Ferrara (1)
• Veneto (except for Venice) (1, in Verona)

Here is a sample description from the collection, a sweet B&B in Florence.   

Sample Hotel (www.sample.it)

Chianti Ruffino Celebration, Piazza Signoria, Florence	Photo by J. Kane

Visited May 2004. Located on the second floor (European first floor) in a narrow pedestrian street near the home of Dante Alighieri, this six-room guest house is welcoming, immaculate, very comfortable, and very good value. Its website represents it very well, although it doesn't capture the kindness and welcome you receive from the owner. The location is ideal, between the Duomo and the Palazzo Vecchio, but in a quiet little spot. They maintain a library of guidebooks, brochures, and restaurant recommendations. An honor bar of Tuscan wines (three or four wines with glasses set out on a small table) is available in a small sitting room. 

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