Italy’s Charming Hotels

A moat surrounds Sirmione, a resort town on Lake Garda in Northern Italy

Sirmione. Lucca. Rome. We enjoyed these Italian destinations on our last trip and found great hotels with local character in each place.

Hotel Flaminia in Sirmione occupies an enviable position right on the edge of Lake Garda in Northern Italy. In fact, a wooden deck extends over the lake and a ladder provides access for guests who wish to swim with the resident ducks. This location is a true luxury, because during the summer, the popular resort town attracts lots of visitors, and it was wonderful to be able to sit someplace quiet and just enjoy the beautiful view across the water.

Tourists have to park outside the moat that encircles the town and walk across a bridge to access Sirmione’s cute shops, dining spots, thermal baths, and Roman ruins. However, guests at Hotel Flaminia can drive over the bridge and right to the hotel, which offers complimentary valet parking. With only 43 rooms, the contemporary hotel feels very homey.

In contrast, Sirmione’s Villa Cortine Palace Hotel rates more stars and costs three times as much as Hotel Flaminia, but I wouldn’t have enjoyed its isolated location, and the formal atmosphere seemed out-of-place in the cheerful little community.

In Lucca, Palazzo Alexander proved to be a perfect resting spot. The hotel is located in the historic heart of the lovely city and is rich in noble Lucchese décor. The building dates from the 12th century and housed a girls’ boarding school in the 1800s. Blue sky, puffy white clouds, and cherubic angels floated over our bed. Puccini was born in Lucca, and rooms at Palazzo Alexander are named in his honor: La Bohéme, Madame Butterfly, and so forth.
We could have stayed at Locanda l’Elisa, a Relais & Chateaux member located two miles outside the city walls for twice the cost, but it was obvious to me that the charm of the old city was priceless.

Waiter at Hotel Majestic playing peek-a-boo with young guest.

In Rome, The Hotel Majestic Roma is just that: “majestic.” I love the location on the Via Veneto within walking distance of nearly everything. Spacious rooms come with crisp white decors and high thread count linens. The real pièce de résistance here, however, is the beautiful third floor terrace where a buffet breakfast is served in the shade of huge trees growing at street level. Locals taking advantage of the Majestic’s family packages were evident at breakfast. A stunning formal dining room with crystal chandeliers is adjacent.

Rome has many more expensive hotels, but would the waiters have played peek-a-boo with my granddaughter at breakfast? 

Villa rentals are another way to experience the character of Italian towns.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

Tags: authentic luxury travel, best location, charming, Hotel Flaminia, Hotel Majestic, hotels, Italian, Italy, Lake Garda, local character, Lucca, Palazzo Alexander, places to stay, Roma, Rome, Sirmione

Category: Hotels, Italy