What’s New In Italy This Summer

THE BIG-NAME REFURB:

Verdura Resort, Sicily

Verdura Resort has unveiled the first phase of an extensive three-year refurbishment programme, with 58 guestrooms and suites now featuring a fresh new design by Studio Moschino. Inspired by the principles of coastal modernism, the redesigned interiors pair natural stone, warm timber, linen and woven rattan with handcrafted Sicilian ceramics, creating spaces that feel brighter, softer and more connected to the landscape outside. Floor-to-ceiling windows maximise views across the Mediterranean, while bathrooms have been updated with textured tiles and bespoke finishes. The renovation includes a mix of Deluxe Rooms, Seafront Rooms and larger family suites.

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THE SUMMER PARTNERSHIP:

The Gelato Atelier at Collegio alla Querce, Florence

Collegio alla Querce – Auberge Collection’s first Italian property – is partnering with Florence institution Vivoli for a summer-long collaboration centred around poolside gelato. Running until the end of September, The Gelato Atelier brings Vivoli’s artisanal flavours directly to the terrace of Il Bosco, the hotel’s new seasonal restaurant that’s set among olive groves and terraced gardens. Alongside classic scoops, guests can order the brand’s viral affogato without joining the queue at the original outpost. The collaboration adds another layer to Collegio alla Querce’s luxurious take on Florentine hospitality, which combines historic architecture with a more relaxed atmosphere just outside the city centre.

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THE SICILY HOTEL:

Mazzarò Sea Palace, Sicily

One of Taormina's best-known luxury hotels has emerged from a major redesign. Overlooking the Bay of Mazzarò beneath Mount Etna, Mazzarò Sea Palace has been completely reimagined by architecture and interiors studio De.Tales, bringing a softer, more contemporary aesthetic to the waterfront property. Public spaces, including the reception, restaurants, private beach and new Velvet rooftop terrace, have all been redesigned to strengthen the connection between the hotel and its coastal setting. Inside the bedrooms, vaulted ceilings, natural materials and warm Mediterranean tones create calm, understated spaces, while expansive terraces make the most of uninterrupted sea views.

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THE READ:

Great Italy Escapes

Great Italy Escapes, written by Angelika Taschen, brings together some of the country's most atmospheric hotels, celebrating everything from grand lakeside palazzos and family-run masserie to cliffside hideaways overlooking the Mediterranean. The book takes readers through Tuscany, Umbria, the Amalfi Coast and Sicily's Aeolian Islands, stopping at legendary addresses including Villa d'Este on Lake Como and Il San Pietro on the Amalfi Coast. Alongside these household names are plenty of lesser-known gems, from the romantic Castello di Vicarello in Tuscany to the understated Locanda Cipriani on the island of Torcello and the beautifully minimalist Masseria Moroseta in Puglia. As with all Taschen travel titles, the photography is every bit as compelling as the writing, making it as enjoyable to dip into at home as it is to use when plotting an itinerary.

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THE AUTUMN RETREAT:

Hotel Saltus, Dolomites

Hotel Saltus in South Tyrol is partnering with London-based Pilates instructor Ashlea McKee for a four-day retreat designed to combine movement, nature and restorative downtime. Running from 18th-21st October, the programme includes twice-daily classical Pilates sessions, guided hikes, forest bathing and access to the hotel's impressive wellness facilities, including its treetop Sky Pool, Forest Spa, saunas and steam rooms. Perched 1,100 metres above Bolzano, the family-run hotel is surrounded by more than 800km of hiking trails, making it an ideal setting for switching off after a busy summer.

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THE ITINERARY:

Orient Express Grand Italian Tours

La Dolce Vita Orient Express has launched a series of ‘Grand Italian Tours’ combining luxury rail travel with stays aboard its trains and the new Orient Express Corinthian sailing yacht – plus, overnight stops in Rome and Venice. The itineraries move between destinations including Venice, Marseille, Dubrovnik and Valletta, pairing slow travel with high-end hospitality. Interiors on the train – designed by Milan-based studio Dimorestudio – draw heavily on the glamour of post-war Italian design, while onboard dining is overseen by chef Heinz Beck. The Corinthian – which is the world’s largest sailing yacht – features 54 suites, a Guerlain Spa and culinary direction from Yannick Alléno. All itineraries include a dedicated destination experience, such as a private visit to a Sienese palazzo, a dinner in the Gardens of Augustus in Capri, a truffle hunt in the forests of Istria, or an evening at the Palais Bulles in Cannes.

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THE CAPRI OPENING:

Villa Helios, Capri

A short stroll from Capri's famous Piazzetta, Villa Helios is one of the island's most exciting openings. Originally built in the late 19th century, the historic villa has been carefully restored and transformed into an intimate nine-room retreat that feels more like a beautifully designed private home than a traditional hotel. Surrounded by Mediterranean gardens and panoramic terraces overlooking the Gulf of Naples, the property retains much of its original character while offering a quieter alternative to some of Capri's larger luxury hotels. In-house restaurant Il Giardino is where young chef Alessio Ambrosio serves refined seasonal dishes that celebrate exceptional local ingredients.

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THE COFFEE TABLE BOOK:

Vespa by Assouline

Few objects are as closely associated with Italian style as the Vespa and Assouline's latest coffee-table book celebrates the scooter's cultural legacy. Released to mark the model's 80th anniversary, Vespa explores how a practical post-war invention became one of the world's most recognisable design icons. Rather than following a straightforward timeline, the book is organised around themes that reveal the many worlds Vespa has inhabited over the decades – from cinema and fashion to motorsport, travel and youth culture. Rare archive material, vintage advertising campaigns and historic photography sit alongside essays that examine the scooter's enduring appeal and the role it has played in shaping Italy's image around the world.

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THE TUSCAN LAUNCH:

Chapter Chianti, Tuscany

Within a restored 16th-century village surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, Chapter Chianti offers a fresh take on the classic Tuscan retreat. The hotel is home to four restaurants and bars overseen by Michelin-starred chef Daniele Auricchio, whose menus pair regional ingredients with modern Italian cooking. Expect everything from relaxed poolside lunches and trattoria classics to inventive cocktails in a New York-inspired bar. Wellness also plays a central role. The spa draws inspiration from ancient Roman bathing rituals, with an indoor thermal circuit, Turkish bath, hammam and treatments by 111SKIN, while outdoor padel courts and two swimming pools encourage guests to make the most of the surrounding countryside. Beyond the hotel itself, the experiences have been carefully curated to immerse visitors in the region. Truffle hunting, olive oil tastings, chef-led cooking classes, falconry demonstrations and local wine experiences all celebrate the traditions of Tuscany through a more contemporary lens.

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THE WELLNESS CONCEPT:

The Benissimo Club

Italian hotel group Pellicano Hotels has unveiled The Benissimo Club, a new wellness concept rolling out across its three properties: Hotel Il Pellicano, La Posta Vecchia and Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal Spa. Rather than focusing purely on spa treatments, the initiative takes a broader approach to wellbeing, incorporating movement, nature, nutrition and slower living into the guest experience. Treatments will exclusively use products from female-founded Italian wellness brands including Irene Forte, Seed to Skin and Lávika, while guestrooms will feature yoga mats, gua sha tools and calming teas designed to encourage personal rituals. Elsewhere, guests can access curated hiking routes, paddle boards, e-bikes and outdoor swimming experiences intended to connect wellness more closely to the surrounding landscapes.

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THE HELPING HAND:

Skyscanner Stays

Skyscanner's newly rebranded Stays platform has evolved to offer much more than traditional accommodation options, with more than five million properties to choose from. Now, travellers can compare everything from hostels and five-star hotels to campsites, farm stays and floating accommodation. Some of our picks from its Italy selection include the pretty-in-pink QC Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi Bormio in Lombardy; Ischia wellness palace Palazzo Manzi Terme & Spa, which has just undergone a major refurb; and atmospheric Paragon 700 in Ostuni, Puglia’s famously scenic ‘White City’.

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THE ROME RESIDENCES:

Casa J.K. Place Roma, Rome

J.K. Place is expanding its Roman offering with the launch of Casa J.K. Place Roma, a new collection of 12 serviced residences within an elegant 18th-century palazzo. A short walk from the original hotel, the apartments have been designed for guests looking to stay a little longer, combining the privacy of a beautifully appointed home with the service and attention to detail the brand is known for. Available in one, two and three-bedroom layouts, each residence features generous living spaces, fully equipped kitchens and Michele Bönan-inspired interiors that balance classic Roman architecture with contemporary comfort. Guests also have access to a central courtyard with a restaurant, bar and gym.

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THE MOUNTAIN HOTEL:

Grand Hotel Ampezzo, Dolomites

Following an extensive restoration, Grand Hotel Ampezzo has reopened in Cortina d'Ampezzo, bringing a fresh sense of luxury to one of Italy's most glamorous mountain destinations. Just moments from the Faloria cable car and Corso Italia, the 70-room hotel balances its art deco-heritage with sleek, modern interiors inspired by the surrounding Dolomites. The standout addition is the 1,000sq m Longevity Suite Spa – one of the largest in Cortina – which combines advanced wellness treatments, biohacking therapies and longevity-focused programmes alongside a sauna, thermal facilities and relaxation spaces. Elsewhere, there's a destination restaurant and bar showcasing regional cuisine, while dedicated ski facilities make it an easy choice during the winter season.

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THE POP-UP:

Dolce & Gabbana x Hotel Cala di Volpe, Sardinia

Few hotels capture the spirit of the Costa Smeralda quite like Hotel Cala di Volpe, and this summer it's been given a distinctly Dolce & Gabbana makeover. The Italian fashion house has transformed some of the property's best-known spaces with its vibrant Maiolica Gialla print, bringing splashes of Sicilian-inspired yellow across the pool, terraces and Atrium Bar. The takeover extends beyond the décor: an exclusive pop-up D&G boutique offers an edit of summer-ready clothing, swimwear and accessories.

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THE VENICE HOTEL:

Airelle Palladio, Venice

French luxury hospitality group Airelles made its first move beyond France with the opening of Airelles Palladio Venice, a spectacular property on the island of Giudecca. Spread across three restored historic buildings and nearly a hectare of Mediterranean gardens, the 45-key property blends Renaissance architecture with the cinematic elegance Airelles has become known for. Interiors balance rich Italian detailing with the brand’s signature polished glamour; standout features include a vast Guerlain Spa, four swimming pools, a kids’ club, multiple dining destinations and Elton’s Club, created in collaboration with the great man. The crowning jewel is the sprawling Suite del Doge, offering panoramic lagoon views across 450sq m.

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THE POOL:

La Posta Vecchia, Rome

Just outside Rome, La Posta Vecchia has reopened for the season with a striking new addition. Overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the historic seaside hotel has unveiled an elegant outdoor swimming pool that sits discreetly within its archaeological gardens. Measuring 20 metres long, the pool features a graphic chequerboard floor and has been positioned to create the illusion that the water disappears directly into the sea beyond. It’s just the place to tag onto a long weekend in the Eternal City.

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