Set on sprawling private grounds in the Ahrntal Valley (known as the Valle Aurina in Italian), in the small village of Lutago, the Hotel Schwarzenstein is an upscale, family-run mountain spa and wellness retreat. There's not much within walking distance, apart from the many mountain hiking trails, a few shops, restaurants, and a small church. Three major ski areas are nearby, two of which the hotel provides free daily shuttles to during the winter months, making this an ideal base for skiers and leisure travelers looking for a high-altitude holiday. The hotel's chic, sleek common spaces may feel slightly out of place in the rustic natural surroundings, but many of the rooms showcase a modern take on traditional alpine decor and postcard-worthy views of the mountains. The less flashy and slightly older-looking Alphotel Tyrol in Racines has similar amenities for cheaper rates.
Set on sprawling private grounds in the Ahrntal Valley (known as the Valle Aurina in Italian), in the small village of Lutago, the Hotel Schwarzenstein is an upscale, family-run mountain spa and wellness retreat. There's not much within walking distance, apart from the many mountain hiking trails, a few shops, restaurants, and a small church. Three major ski areas are nearby, two of which the hotel provides free daily shuttles to during the winter months, making this an ideal base for skiers and leisure travelers looking for a high-altitude holiday. The hotel's chic, sleek common spaces may feel slightly out of place in the rustic natural surroundings, but many of the rooms showcase a modern take on traditional alpine decor and postcard-worthy views of the mountains. The less flashy and slightly older-looking Alphotel Tyrol in Racines has similar amenities for cheaper rates.
Once an 18th-century hospital, the four-pearl Palazzo San Lorenzo is now a refined, relaxing hotel that enhances its original space with contemporary touches. The 48 guest rooms are bright and sophisticated, with comfortable beds framed by leather headboards, separate seating areas, and luxurious bathrooms. The Palazzo has a full-service luxury spa with an indoor hydromassage pool, a sauna, rainfall showers, and various treatments. There's also a restaurant, a breakfast room, and a bar that is accessible to non-guests. The property is located in the quiet town of Colle Val D'Elsa, within driving distance of both Siena and Florence. Free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and parking along with low rates make the Palazzo San Lorenzo an excellent value -- though there is a pesky charge to use the swimming pool.
Once an 18th-century hospital, the four-pearl Palazzo San Lorenzo is now a refined, relaxing hotel that enhances its original space with contemporary touches. The 48 guest rooms are bright and sophisticated, with comfortable beds framed by leather headboards, separate seating areas, and luxurious bathrooms. The Palazzo has a full-service luxury spa with an indoor hydromassage pool, a sauna, rainfall showers, and various treatments. There's also a restaurant, a breakfast room, and a bar that is accessible to non-guests. The property is located in the quiet town of Colle Val D'Elsa, within driving distance of both Siena and Florence. Free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and parking along with low rates make the Palazzo San Lorenzo an excellent value -- though there is a pesky charge to use the swimming pool.
Surrounded by beautiful mountain vistas, and set on extensive private grounds with fishing ponds and horses, the 212-room Alphotel Tyrol is more than just a comfortable destination in South Tyrol for a family ski vacation. This family-run hotel caters to both families and couples looking for an upscale, outdoorsy getaway, offering year-round outdoor activities, two pools, and a top-notch spa. The rooms are simple for this caliber of hotel, with basic alpine country decor, but the private patios and balconies (each room has one) looking out on the surrounding mountains help make up for it. The hotel's secluded location isn't the most convenient for sightseeing, but it's ideal for hiking and skiing. The bar and restaurant are both excellent, as are the myriad other offerings; it's no wonder that the welcoming, family-run experience and continuing improvements have regular guests coming back year after year. It also doesn't hurt that the hotel often has lower rates than most other upscale hotels in the region.
Surrounded by beautiful mountain vistas, and set on extensive private grounds with fishing ponds and horses, the 212-room Alphotel Tyrol is more than just a comfortable destination in South Tyrol for a family ski vacation. This family-run hotel caters to both families and couples looking for an upscale, outdoorsy getaway, offering year-round outdoor activities, two pools, and a top-notch spa. The rooms are simple for this caliber of hotel, with basic alpine country decor, but the private patios and balconies (each room has one) looking out on the surrounding mountains help make up for it. The hotel's secluded location isn't the most convenient for sightseeing, but it's ideal for hiking and skiing. The bar and restaurant are both excellent, as are the myriad other offerings; it's no wonder that the welcoming, family-run experience and continuing improvements have regular guests coming back year after year. It also doesn't hurt that the hotel often has lower rates than most other upscale hotels in the region.
The family-run, mid-range Marcaneto Hotel is located on the hills of Scario, with fantastic views of nearby sea and mountains that can be seen from various points throughout the property. The hotel has 61 guest rooms with simple decor and all have balconies and free Wi-Fi. Some of the rooms are dated; ask for one of the rooms that was renovated in 2013 if you're after something more modern. The grounds are small but covered with lush gardens and wooded areas. There's a large outdoor pool with a bar, a breakfast room with outdoor seating that serves free breakfast every morning, a fitness room, and a spacious lounge with a pool table and flat-screen TV. Note that this hotel closes in the winter.
The family-run, mid-range Marcaneto Hotel is located on the hills of Scario, with fantastic views of nearby sea and mountains that can be seen from various points throughout the property. The hotel has 61 guest rooms with simple decor and all have balconies and free Wi-Fi. Some of the rooms are dated; ask for one of the rooms that was renovated in 2013 if you're after something more modern. The grounds are small but covered with lush gardens and wooded areas. There's a large outdoor pool with a bar, a breakfast room with outdoor seating that serves free breakfast every morning, a fitness room, and a spacious lounge with a pool table and flat-screen TV. Note that this hotel closes in the winter.
Albergo Alla Campana is a family-run, budget hotel overlooking the Brenta Canal in Dolo, a small town directly in between Venice and Padua. The clean property is run by a friendly owner and a basic buffet breakfast is included in the room rate, as is parking in an adjoining garage. Some parts of the hotel have been renovated while others, such as the bar area, remain dated. It’s a good, inexpensive option for travelers who want to be close to Venice, which is a half-hour drive and a little under an hour by a bus, but who don’t want to pay for an exorbitantly priced Venice hotel.
Albergo Alla Campana is a family-run, budget hotel overlooking the Brenta Canal in Dolo, a small town directly in between Venice and Padua. The clean property is run by a friendly owner and a basic buffet breakfast is included in the room rate, as is parking in an adjoining garage. Some parts of the hotel have been renovated while others, such as the bar area, remain dated. It’s a good, inexpensive option for travelers who want to be close to Venice, which is a half-hour drive and a little under an hour by a bus, but who don’t want to pay for an exorbitantly priced Venice hotel.
Antony Palace Hotel is a new and modern hotel in Marcon, a commercial area about 20 minutes from Venice. The 140 doubles, triples, family rooms, and suites are spacious and stylishly decorated. There’s not much in the way of public transportation, although the hotel provides a regular shuttle bus to and from Venice and the Marco Polo Airport for a small fee. There are two restaurants with limited menus, and the rooftop gym is a nice touch. Overall, it's a good value for travelers who want modern luxury for much less than a Venice hotel and don't mind the removed location.
Antony Palace Hotel is a new and modern hotel in Marcon, a commercial area about 20 minutes from Venice. The 140 doubles, triples, family rooms, and suites are spacious and stylishly decorated. There’s not much in the way of public transportation, although the hotel provides a regular shuttle bus to and from Venice and the Marco Polo Airport for a small fee. There are two restaurants with limited menus, and the rooftop gym is a nice touch. Overall, it's a good value for travelers who want modern luxury for much less than a Venice hotel and don't mind the removed location.
The Hotel Helvetia Thermal SPA is an upscale 48-room hotel set in an elegant and classical villa-style property in the center of Porretta Terme. Its spa facilities are particularly outstanding with a wide range of water- and steam-based therapies and treatments on offer -- though these can be a little pricey. Rooms are adequate with lovely views and modern bathrooms, but feel a touch spare, from the tile floors to the patterned bedspreads. This is certainly one of the more expensive hotels in town (due to its superb spa); for a cheaper option check out Hotel Santoli on the edge of town where rates are less than half the price.
The Hotel Helvetia Thermal SPA is an upscale 48-room hotel set in an elegant and classical villa-style property in the center of Porretta Terme. Its spa facilities are particularly outstanding with a wide range of water- and steam-based therapies and treatments on offer -- though these can be a little pricey. Rooms are adequate with lovely views and modern bathrooms, but feel a touch spare, from the tile floors to the patterned bedspreads. This is certainly one of the more expensive hotels in town (due to its superb spa); for a cheaper option check out Hotel Santoli on the edge of town where rates are less than half the price.
The 48-room Hotel Santoli is a mid-range, family-run property dating back to 1973 set on the outskirts of the Italian spa town of Porretta Terme. While its 1970s-style interiors feel dated and retro in about equal measures, the hotel has impressive modern spa facilities and direct access to the thermal baths next door. Rooms too feel a little old-fashioned, however balconies have lovely views of the picturesque surrounds. Rates are surprisingly affordable, but for somewhere a little more ritzy check out the Hotel Helvetia Thermal Spa in the town center.
The 48-room Hotel Santoli is a mid-range, family-run property dating back to 1973 set on the outskirts of the Italian spa town of Porretta Terme. While its 1970s-style interiors feel dated and retro in about equal measures, the hotel has impressive modern spa facilities and direct access to the thermal baths next door. Rooms too feel a little old-fashioned, however balconies have lovely views of the picturesque surrounds. Rates are surprisingly affordable, but for somewhere a little more ritzy check out the Hotel Helvetia Thermal Spa in the town center.
The four-pearl Villa di Piazzano offers upscale accommodation within a 15th-century former manor that's surrounded by beautiful countryside. The nearby town of Cortona inspired the famous book and movie, "Under The Tuscan Sun", and the romantic, tranquil vibe here largely draws couples. Gorgeous outdoor spaces include a lovely pool, but there are no spa or gym. The 23 charming rooms have original wood-beamed ceilings and antique decor, though amenities are modern. Free buffet breakfasts get rave reviews, as does the Tuscan restaurant, and terrace cocktail hours are a favorite. Note that the hotel is only open from April through October. Less remote, Villa Marsili Hotel is within walking distance of Cortona, but it's less fancy.
The four-pearl Villa di Piazzano offers upscale accommodation within a 15th-century former manor that's surrounded by beautiful countryside. The nearby town of Cortona inspired the famous book and movie, "Under The Tuscan Sun", and the romantic, tranquil vibe here largely draws couples. Gorgeous outdoor spaces include a lovely pool, but there are no spa or gym. The 23 charming rooms have original wood-beamed ceilings and antique decor, though amenities are modern. Free buffet breakfasts get rave reviews, as does the Tuscan restaurant, and terrace cocktail hours are a favorite. Note that the hotel is only open from April through October. Less remote, Villa Marsili Hotel is within walking distance of Cortona, but it's less fancy.