My Italy hotel guide details all the great places we stayed in Rome, Florence, Milan, and Lake Como during our recent summer family vacation.
We just returned from a two-week vacation in Italy. Yes, it was hot (near 100 degrees one day in Florence). And yes, it was ridiculously crowded in the cities. But we still had a great time eating pasta and gelato, drinking lots of wine, checking out the historical sights, shopping the 40-percent-off sales, and best of all, making memories with friends and families.
We stayed at several hotels during our Italy trip, as well as a rustic but gorgeous home in the countryside of Piedmont (more on that later).
Here’s our Italy Trip Hotel Review
JK Place Roma: Luxurious Oasis in Rome
The JK Place Roma (Via di Monte d’Oro, 30, Rome – Italy) was our favorite! This 30-room boutique hotel is located just down the street from the Spanish Steps. It’s just a quick 10-minute stroll to lots of popular sights, including the Trevi Fountain and the Parthenon.
The staff could not have been more friendly or helpful during our stay. They served us welcome drinks and snacks when we arrived and upgraded our room at check-in. Our room was truly an oasis of comfort and quiet. And I am a huge fan of their bathroom amenities including huge fluffy towels and robes, and full-size containers of shampoo, conditioner, and body scrub.
Hotel Plaza Lucchesi: A Hotel with A View in Florence
The next hotel in our Italy hotel guide is the Hotel Plaza Lucchesi (Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia, 38 – 50122) in Florence. This 4-star hotel is located on the banks of the Arno River overlooking the Piazzale Michelangelo, and just a few minute’s walk from the Ponte Vecchio. I have to be honest, I did not love this hotel. The staff was not very helpful, the bartender grumpy, and our room did not have adequate air-conditioning (did I mention it was REALLY hot in Florence!?). It did, however, have two redeeming qualities: the rooftop swimming pool with 360-degree views of historic Florence, and a front-row seat to the breathtaking fireworks display that caps off the Festa di San Giovanni, a holiday honoring Florence’s patron saint.
Palazzo Parigi Milano: Luxe Hotel Digs in Milan
We arrived in Milan just as the summer sales were kicking off. We stayed at the luxe 98-room Palazzo Parigi Milano, a gorgeous new(ish) hotel. The hotel is located on a quiet street just a few minute’s walk from the fashion district. And it’s an easy stroll to the Brera district and the main sights including the Teatro Alla Scala and the Duomo.
This hotel has a dramatic entry decorated in Belle Epoque style with a sweeping staircase, Murano chandeliers, and marble pillars. But the rooms are more modern in style, large and well-equipped. Two standout features included blackout curtains (we had to wake our kids up in the morning) and one of the best hairdryers I have ever used in a hotel: a full-size BaByliss. My favorite part of the hotel, though, was the bar and the outdoor garden. After a day of shopping and fighting the crowds to check out the Duomo and the Sforza Castle, I needed a drink. And I got one! Just check out the size of my cocktail glass in the photo below.
Mandarin Oriental Lake Como (Formerly the Castadiva Resort and Spa): Lakeside Luxury in Lake Como
Lake Como is truly breathtakingly beautiful. It’s a 54-square-mile glacier lake surrounded by ancient towns and waterside villas, all in government-approved matching colors. And we were lucky enough to stay right on the lake at the gorgeous Castadiva Resort and Spa, which is located in a historic villa just a short drive from the town of Como. (UPDATE: This hotel is now the Mandarin Oriental Lake Como)
It was warm when we arrived at our hotel. We ate a long, leisurely lunch outside overlooking the water and the hotel’s floating pool. But shortly afterward, the weather turned and it rained on and off for the rest of our stay. We managed to sneak in a half-day boat tour of the lake, which was a highlight of our trip. And a shopping trip to Bellagio. We also visited the spa and drank champagne and Barolo wine in the hotel bar while watching the rain and the lightning. We also took a trip to Como for shopping and dinner. It was hard to leave the lake’s serenity and the picture-perfect views!
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