5 of Italy’s Most Romantic Hotels for Couples

Just being in Italy is romantic, but for the ultimate getaway for two, choose one of these dreamy places to stay.

Verona: Due Torre Hotel

If you’re into romantic legends, Verona is the place to be, and this 5-star hotel is only a couple of blocks from Juliet’s famous balcony. Begin with the setting, in a Renaissance palazzo. Each room is different, furnished in antiques and period pieces and with details that include parquet floors, inlaid marble bathrooms, enormous walk-in closets with built-in cabinetry and brass fittings. Sheets are 100 percent linen. But what we like best is the attention to service. The concierge is superb and can work wonders with tickets and reservations, even with romantic extras like roses and chilled Prosecco awaiting in our room on our wedding anniversary. It’s a class act.

Venice: Hotel Ca’ Maria Adele

In a quiet corner of the Dorsoduro sestiere, Ca’ Maria Adele is a few steps from the Vaporetto landing at Salute, one stop from San Marco. Or you can arrive direct to the door from Marco Polo Airport via private launch. Either way, you’ll be welcomed with a glass of chilled Prosecco. Once we stepped into this lush 16^th-century palazzo we didn’t want to leave, especially when we saw our over-the-top room entirely in red — walls, bedspread, upholstery and draperies — with gold flourishes of carved and gilded furniture, lit by a Murano chandelier. The décor surprises with its seamless blend of sleek contemporary and Old Venice grandeur. Breakfasts are smashing and, in the evening, we lounged on the terrace and watched the stars come out.

Villa del Sogno, Gardone Riviera, Lake Italy, Italy © Stillman Rogers

Lake Garda: Villa Del Sogno

Gardone Riviera is on the quieter western shore of lake Garda, and Villa Del Sogno overlooks the lake from a discreet height, surrounded by gardens and away from the traffic of the shore below. The Art Deco villa was built as a private retreat in the early 1900s, and its spacious, airy rooms converted beautifully to a boutique hotel. Swim in the pool and enjoy updated local dishes by candlelight on the terrace overlooking the lake, accompanied by a selection from the Michelin-praised wine cellar.

Lake Maggiore: Il Sole di Ranco

On the southeastern shore of Lake Maggiore, and within easy reach of Milan’s Malpensa Airport, Il Sole di Ranco makes a relaxing first stop after an international flight or a romantic final stop before returning to the real world. Large rooms of this family-owned villa overlook the lake, and are beautifully furnished in light colors that accentuate their airy, sunlit elegance. The pool in the garden below looks out across the lake. A bonus of staying here is guests get preference for coveted reservations at the villa’s acclaimed restaurant. Don’t miss the chance to dine here; the evening’s menu might include carpaccio of shrimp or quail stuffed with foie gras and cognac. 

View from hotel room at Il Sol di Ranco © Stillman Rogers

Turin: Hotel Victoria

Picture an English country house with an Art Deco flair and you have a sense of the beautiful interior of Hotel Victoria. The guestrooms are in lovely pastels and softly flowered chintz, and the breakfast room (where you’ll find a dazzling selection of pastries all baked in-house) is reminiscent of an English tea room. In the summer, begin your day with breakfast in the patio before stepping out to visit Turin’s attractions and famous coffee houses, all within an easy walk of the hotel. After cycling along the riverside park on the hotel’s bikes, relax in the spa and dive into the large indoor pool, all free to guests.