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

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.

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.