21 Best Hotels in The Veneto and Friuli–Venezia Giulia, Italy

The refreshingly funky surroundings in this self-styled art hotel include sponge-painted walls, brush-painted chandeliers, and views of the spires and cupolas of the Basilica di Sant'Antonio. The color-theme guest rooms, from eye-popping red to meditative white, upend sterile hotel decor, and there are tranquil corners including a flowery courtyard garden.

This elegant pink-washed hotel in a 16th-century building overlooks the main square and has wide views over picturesque Asolo or its leafy hinterland. This was once the actress Eleonora Duse's preferred haunt, and you can choose to stay in the room where she regularly entertained the poet and libertine Gabriele D'Annunzio. All the rooms are large and furnished with turn-of-the-last-century antiques. Decoratively tiled, the bathrooms have massage showers, which might come in handy for legs that have climbed up the hill for a view (or spent time in the fitness room). The terrace is a great place for a sunset drink or dinner in summer.

One of the best-situated hotels in the city provides understated modern rooms and public areas that tend toward the minimalist without being severe, while the intimate breakfast room with stylish Eames Eiffel chairs and adjoining terrace is a tranquil place to start the day. The hotel's combination of well-maintained rooms, friendly staff, and a quiet yet central location make it an attractive choice. There's 24-hour room service but no minibars in the rooms.

In a central location, this 15th-century palazzo, once home to the dukes of Tuscany, is now a charming and romantic bed-and-breakfast with parquet flooring throughout, a pleasant if unremarkable breakfast room, and large guest rooms furnished in antique style. Generous, well-prepared Continental breakfasts include homemade cake, fresh fruit, and savory options. The resident owners are friendly and helpful.

In a residential area a few minutes' walk from the Arena, this contemporary Best Western hotel offers respite from the busy city as well as easier parking. Both guest and public rooms have a functional, modern style with light, furniture, and some family rooms sleep up to five.

Bang smack in regal Piazza Unità d'Italia, this grande dame of a hotel is beautifully furnished in Venetian Renaissance style, with dark-wood antiques, rich carpets, and plush fabrics. In the basement, below sea level, is one of northern Italy's most impressive indoor pool-spa complexes: it's reminiscent of ancient Roman baths. On the ground floor is Harry's Restaurant. Suffice it to say this place has come a long way since its original incarnation as a 19th-century dockers' café.

Although this inn dates from the 18th century, the interior is minimalist and clean-lined—Rooms 7, 8, 11, and 12 redress the balance with picture-perfect views of the town's upper castle, while other windows look out onto the city walls or olive-tree-filled terraces. Some rooms can add an extra two beds for families. The buffet breakfast can be taken on a tranquil terrace or in a small, cozy breakfast room with quirky modern paintings. The inn can organize tailored tours and bike hire. Considerable advance booking is required for the weekend of the chess game.

The public areas and guest rooms at one of the oldest (1883) hotels in the city, just off Piazza dei Signori, are filled with turn-of-the-20th-century antiques, and regulars favor the place because the high ceilings in the main building make it feel light and airy. It's also a bargain—rates stay the same throughout the year, with no high-season price hikes. 

Occupying a historic building off Piazza delle Erbe in the ancient heart of Verona, this hotel is a romantic fantasia of ornamentation, rich fabrics, and period-style furniture. The abundance of decoration can be overwhelming, but it generally creates an appealing atmosphere. You can relax outdoors in the medieval courtyard or indoors in a plush, welcoming living room.

The Palladian facade of columns and arches here hint at the well-proportioned interior layout: expect an elegant contemporary take on Art Deco in public spaces and immaculate if impersonal traditional-style decor in guest rooms. Bathrooms are a decent size and accommodations reasonably quiet, despite the central location, while the clubby library and bar are fabulous places to unwind.

Rooms at this comfortable full-service hotel—a five-minute walk from the train station and right in front of the city walls—are ample in size, with a mix of contemporary and traditional accents. A 2017 face-lift added marbled and mirrored swagger to some public areas, including the bar and spacious lobby, as well as to suites and bathrooms.

You have two smart and contrasting choices here: the 19th-century villa, with canopy beds and Alpine-style wood ceilings and paneling; and the "Next Wing," with rich colors and spare furnishings in starkly angular rooms. Some rooms have sunken Japanese baths and gardens, there are centuries-old trees shading the terrace, and high-design chaises surround the pool. The staff are all dressed in casual, monklike black. Breakfast is €10 extra at the basic rate.

A spiral staircase winds its way up this narrow, centrally located building—filled with traditional furnishings like gilded chairs—to rooms with grandstand-like views of the main square. The scene gets busy on antiques fair weekends, but if the sights don't make up for the sounds, ask for the larger and quieter attic room: skylights instead of windows mean your only view is of the stars. Amenities include decent air-conditioning and a minibar. Some rooms are smallish, but for Asolo, the price is a real deal.

Renovation of this 15th-century building took a decidedly minimalist approach: the breakfast room, lounges, and guest rooms feature plenty of light wood, mood lighting, and sleek, angular design. The restaurant offers a seasonally changing menu that includes some traditional local dishes as well as novel flavor combinations and culinary techniques.

Set on gorgeous, verdant grounds with stunning sea views, this cliff-top hotel—a villa with a modern annex—offers a mix of traditional and minimalist rooms, many with private balconies. The restaurant, Le Terrazze, features a mare e terra (sea and land) menu and a lovely terrace above the sea, where breakfasters can linger before heading down to the Riviera bathing area.

There's plenty of architectural character mixed with contemporary, artsy warmth in the guest rooms of this central 18th-century building, while the nearby annex offers five spacious apartments. Public areas include a small patio enclosed by Roman walls; the cozy breakfast room is a wonderful spot to share in the owner's passion for teas and tisane (infusions) from around the world. His teapots and related paraphernalia are exquisite.

Friendly and energetic Federica has transformed this three-story property, owned by her family (of De Rossi patisserie fame), into some of the most stylish contemporary apartments—and one of the best values—in Verona, complete with kitchenettes. It's just out of town, in the Veronetta district, and these rentals offer oodles of Veronese neighborhood atmosphere: lots of students live here, and there are interesting local shops and eateries at the doorstep, yet you're still only a short walk to the banks of the Adige and the sights. There are no public areas—from the entrance it's straight upstairs to the apartments—but Federica is always helpful with tips, and she even runs small cookery courses and excursions for keen foodies.

Four floors of sleekly designed guest rooms reflect nature's elements at this modern spa hotel: there are gentle earth tones and fiery red in the Classic rooms; watery, cool blues in Superior rooms; and airy white in the top-floor suites. Rooms have Japanese-style tubs, and four are equipped for guests with disabilities. The lobby has one lounge and a quieter reading room. There's a pleasant view from the front rooms, which face the canal.

From its 19th-century furnishings to a 21st-century spa and a romantic garden, this luxurious 16th-century villa turned hotel strives for opulence. Once owned by the Venice restaurateur and hotelier Giuseppe Cipriani, the property is now owned by Massimo Zanetti, the coffee magnate. Superior-class rooms have views; the two suites with private terraces are pricey, but views are absolutely stunning. The restaurant terrace overlooks the garden and hills, a perfect place to sip an aperitif.