The Italy Edit
Cities across the Bel Paese are abloom with exciting new – and freshly redesigned – hotels
Venice: Waterside Wonders
Venice remains one of Europe’s most enchanting destinations, with grand palazzi, superlative art and world-renowned cuisine converging around its famous canals. A beautifully restored 15th-century palazzo, Orient Express Venezia showcases this rich history in every detail, while the restored Danieli, Venezia, A Four Seasons Hotel remains an icon just steps from Piazza San Marco. For a more secluded stay, the 45-room Airelles Palladio on Giudecca Island feels worlds away from the city’s bustling crowds; for a gourmand experience, the renewed Hotel Cipriani tempts with Michelin-starred dining at Oro.
Danieli, Venezia, A Four Seasons Hotel (© Four Seasons)
Milan: Capital of Cool
Italy’s hub of fashion and design is constantly reinventing itself, pairing contemporary creativity with timeless elegance. The forthcoming Six Senses Milan is a whirlwind of craft and high style in the city’s chic Brera district, and Rosewood Milan will occupy a similarly enviable position steps from the modish Via Montenapoleone. New arrival Hotel Carlton Milan is set to make its mark with expertly crafted aperitivi and a fresh take on Italian cuisine, while JK Place Milano promises to feel less like a hotel and more like a home from home on fashionable Via Borgospesso. 
Hotel Carlton Milan
Florence: Renaissance Reimagined
The birthplace of the Renaissance continues to inspire with its artistic treasures, architectural masterpieces and enduring beauty – and that includes its hospitality. Newly restored, the hilltop Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel remains a bastion of Renaissance splendour, alongside newcomer Borgo Pignano Florence, which pairs its setting just outside the city with sweeping panoramas. Back in town, Palazzo Morrocchi boasts an impressive collection of dining venues, from a raw bar to its rooftop restaurant. More is yet to come: La Réserve Firenze, due to open this autumn, offers an intimate retreat with just six apartments, complemented by hotel services and a rooftop bar.
© Villa San Michele
Rome: Eternal Appeal
The best new openings in multimillennial Rome effortlessly blend ancient grandeur with contemporary luxury. Set in a restored fin-de-siècle building, Rosewood Rome offers a heady mix of old and new, as does the Orient Express La Minerva, which was recently inaugurated in a prime location just around the corner from the Pantheon. Nearby, Casa JK Place Roma offers a more intimate stay with just 12 spacious apartments. For some of the best dining in town, head to the new Corinthia Rome, where acclaimed chef Carlo Cracco headlines the culinary offering. 
Casa JK Place Roma (Photo: Tony Gigov)
