Justine Gosling

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id="request-699f0f00-ba5c-8386-ab21-02dd04d31656-3" data-testid="conversation-turn-20" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant"> Starry-eyed romantics have been flocking to Florence for centuries in search of artistic inspiration (and, yes, romance). It’s a city of world-class art, knockout restaurants and an almost overwhelming list of things to see and do – but eventually, you’ll need somewhere suitably fabulous to lay your head. Choosing the right hotel matters here. This is Florence, after all – your base should feel as considered and characterful as the city itself. The best hotels in Florence span boutique beauties, homely hideaways and full-blown five-star titans. Location-wise, you’ve got options. Stay in the historic centre (Centro Storico) if you want the Duomo, Uffizi and Piazza della Signoria on your doorstep. Oltrarno, across the river, offers a more local, artisan feel, with cool wine bars. Around Santa Maria Novella you’ll find handy transport links and elegant piazzas, while the leafier edges of the city offer retreats away from the thickest tourist crowds. For 2026, our top spot goes to Four Seasons Hotel Firenze – but every stay on this list guarantees sweet dreams and a stylish launchpad for exploring one of Italy’s most magical cities. 💎 Most luxurious: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze ✨ Most iconic: Hotel Savoy 🏛️

Sicily is bursting with amazing things to do. And much like the region itself, the hotel scene is a diverse hub of different styles, locations, and price points. There are city gems, grand hotels, hotels with their own private beaches and humble, family-run B&Bs – in other words, there’s something for everyone here. Once you’ve decided where you want to go in Sicily, the hardest thing you’ll have to do is choose which of these beautiful spots to sleep in. We know, it’s a hard life. But if you’re ready to get booking, read on for our list of the best hotels in Sicily, from Catania and Palermo to Taormina and Syracuse.  What is the best part of Sicily to stay? That totally depends on what kind of trip you’re after. The beauty of Sicily is that each of its islands and cities are totally unique, so you could go again and again and never get bored. For a city break full of culture, food and nightlife, Palermo is your best bet. For a beach break, head to Taormina, home to the stunning beaches in Isola Bella, Mazzarò and more. Seeking adventure? Head to the Etna region, where you’ll find spots for hiking, wild swimming, trekking and more – get up close and personal with Mount Etna herself. Can’t choose? If you rent a car, you can drive through a number of Sicily’s top islands (Noto, Ragusa and Cefalù), and end in Catania.  🏖️ RECOMMENDED: The best beaches in Sicily How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world – new openings,

For good reason, this hotel features in many of the world’s best lists. Built in 1473 by Renaissance visionary Bartolomeo Scala, the hotel’s main building, Palazzo della Gherardesca, is a masterpiece of history and elegance. Once home to noble Florentine families – including a Medici cardinal and the Della Gherardesca clan – it became a Four Seasons hotel in 2008, its heritage and Renaissance grandeur beautifully preserved. Don’t be fooled by the humble, almost anonymous entrance. A night at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze would impress royalty; it feels faintly outrageous that mere mortals can book in. The age and craftsmanship of the antique furnishings, wall and ceiling frescoes, paintings and ornate floor tiles make every surface feel museum-worthy. Yet this isn’t a velvet-rope experience: the service, spa and dining are as polished as the setting, but in a warm, effortless way. Set in 11 acres of private gardens and spilling into a second building – the 16th-century Palazzo del Nero – the hotel sits just beyond Florence’s historic core. It’s around a 15-minute walk to the Duomo and the train station, close enough for culture-hopping, far enough for calm. What are the rooms like at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze? There are 116 rooms and suites in total, and the range runs from low-level indulgent to full-blown Florentine fantasy. Entry-level rooms – a generous 30–59m² – are split between Palazzo della Gherardesca and Palazzo del Nero, but there’s nothing “entry” about them in feel

Located on one of Italy’s most beautiful coved private beaches in Sicily’s Bay of Mazzarò, Villa Sant’Andrea embodies the essence of an Italian summer. With old-world charm and effortless style, the hotel exudes sophistication without ever feeling pretentious. Its 69 rooms cascade down the cliffside, with the sea lapping at its base, creating an intimate, personal and relaxed vibe. Built by an aristocratic family in 1919 and transformed into a hotel in the 1960s, Villa Sant’Andrea retains the sense of a family home. Driving down the narrow hill road to the hotel’s unassuming entrance, I wasn’t prepared for the beauty that awaited. Nestled between subtropical gardens and the sea, this retreat still feels like a private waterfront home. On what is arguably the most stunning beach on the island, guests can unwind in cabanas, swim in the clear waters, or float in the infinity pool overlooking the bay. Life here slows. Watching small boats bob on gentle waves or the splash of swimmers diving from the rocks became a favored pastime during my stay, whether from a lounger or my balcony. Aside from its location, the service and food is another highlight and reflects the hotel’s proudly Sicilian identity, with menus using local ingredients and traditional dishes served on the open-air terraces. Why stay at Villa Sant’Andrea, a Belmond Hotel? The hotel interiors are opulent, but discrete. You’ll walk along hallways of marble floors and staircases, whilst occasional antiques or painting

Perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea with Mount Etna occasionally smoking quietly or violently spewing molten lava in the distance, stepping foot in San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel, feels like a big screen cinematic moment. These views and plenty of drama were squeezed onto our small screens when the hotel was the setting for the wildly popular Second HBO series of the White Lotus. After years of restoration and meticulous care, the 14th-century former Dominican convent re-opened as a hotel in 2021 and has since become the island’s hottest spot. Now, hordes of tourists wait outside in the entrance in the hope of catching a glimpse of A-listers. Some looked a little disappointed when I walked in.  Why stay at San Domenico Palace?  During the five centuries when San Domenico Palace was a convent, its residents were focused on a life of quiet contemplation. But when the convent was expanded to become a hotel in 1896, it quickly became a lively and ultra glamorous destination for the world’s rich and famous, an atmosphere its sustained into the 21st century.  During the Taormina film festival, the Palace is where the big stars stay. Elizabeth Taylor apparently threw furniture at Richard Burton in their suite during a row, whilst Audrey Hepburn, Oscar Wilde, King Edward VIII, Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise are just a few of the big names who may have slept in the same room as you. Unsurprisingly, the hotel exudes exclusivity and glamour. The