Italy

Think of Italy and so many familiar images come to mind – mesmerising landscapes, cities brimming with history, culture and style, beautiful beaches (and chic beach clubs), and of course, the incredible food and wine.

VRetreats is a collection of eight superb hotels, all of which encompass the true spirit of Italy. Born out of a desire to celebrate Italy’s beauty and culture and iconic destinations, these hotels ooze warm hospitality, history and luxury combined with laidback style. So, we invite you to enjoy the charm and sophistication of VRetreats Collection in Venice, Florence and Rome, Sicily and Sardinia, and the Italian Alps.

• VRetreats’ philosophy is all about celebrating the best of Italy and providing guests with truly authentic Italian experiences
• These are intimate properties ranging from 40 rooms at Hotel Roma up to 87 rooms at the Donna Camilla Savelli
• All VRetreats hotels enjoy superb locations in their respective destinations
• Renowned Italian architects and designers have breathed new life into heritage properties
• Strong focus on regional cuisine using local (and in some cases zero-kilometre) ingredients and showcasing Italian wines

Housed in a historic landmark building that first welcomed travelling pilgrims in the 13th century, Ca’ di Dio (aka ‘House of God’) enjoys a superb waterfront location in the Arsenale, one of Venice’s most interesting, artsy and unspoiled neighbourhoods, just a 10-minute stroll from Piazza San Marco.

Combining chic modern design with nods to Venetian traditions (think Murano glass lampshades), Ca’ di Dio brings a fresh sense of style to Venice’s luxury hotel scene. The 66 rooms and suites are tastefully decorated in subtle hues with courtyard or canal views – two Altana suites offer terraces with panoramic views over Venice’s rooftops and bell towers.

Internal courtyard gardens provide respite from the bustling streets (as well as ingredients for the hotel’s VERO and Essentia restaurants), while the hotel’s bar is considered one of the coolest in Venice.

Occupying a historic palazzo on Florence’s most exclusive street, the gorgeous Il Tornabuoni enjoys the best location in town. Just steps from the likes of Armani, Prada and Balenciaga, it’s also only minutes on foot from the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi and the Duomo, so perfect for serious shoppers and culture buffs alike!

While the palazzo’s original frescoes, intricate plasterwork and marble floors remain, the 62 rooms and suites have been re-imagined with bold colours, luxurious furnishings, and more than a hint of Renaissance style.

Dining options include a gourmet restaurant, Lucie, plus Il Magnifico restaurant and café which spills out on to a charming streetside terrace. The jewel in the crown however is the enchanting rooftop Butterfly Terrace where guests can watch dusk fall over Florence’s rooftops while sipping an aperitivo.

As the saying goes, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’, and for us that means heading straight to Trastevere, the most colourful and atmospheric neighbourhood in the Eternal City. This is where you will find the Donna Camilla Savelli, nestled in a quiet corner just steps from local food markets, historic churches and some of the city’s best bars and restaurants (don’t worry, all of Rome’s historic landmarks are within easy walking distance).

Set in a former Baroque monastery, many of the building’s lavish original features remain including beautiful frescos and marble floors, while the rooms and suites, once home to the monks, are simpler with classic wooden beamed ceilings and traditional tiled terracotta floors.

The hotel’s restaurant offers a Renaissance inspired menu while a gorgeous central courtyard garden is the perfect spot for a breakfast cappuccino or late-night expresso martini.

Taking Italian alpine style to a whole new level is Cervino, a gorgeous property combining sleek contemporary design and a spectacular setting just minutes from downtown Cervinia. Sat in the shadow of the Matterhorn, Cervinia is one of Europe’s highest ski resorts and one of the most snow-sure in the Alps – interlinked to Zermatt in Switzerland, it forms part of one of the world’s largest international ski resorts.

In keeping with its’ modern exterior, Cervino’s 66 rooms and suites are a stylish blend of Italian design, warm earthy tones and natural materials. All come with their own private balcony, overlooking pine forests or the snow-filled valley below.

A fantastic wellness area features marble clad walls, a pool with a view, Finnish sauna and Turkish bath and a relaxation space infused with Himalayan salt. There’s also a main restaurant offering dining with views of the Matterhorn, a lounge bar with outdoor terrace, and a smaller, more intimate, restaurant specialising in traditional Valdostan dishes.

Set in the heart of Ortigia, the small island that forms the historic centre of Syracuse, Palazzo Artemide is perfectly positioned for a few days’ exploration of this cultural and historical destination. Dating back to the ancient Greeks, the entire city of Syracuse is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to a mind-blowing array of historic monuments.

Housed in a beautiful pink 19th century building (a new build almost by local standards), Palazzo Artemide offers 40 elegantly furnished rooms and suites with high ceilings and Juilet balconies overlooking Piazza Minerva, Via Roma or the tranquil internal courtyard.

The hotel’s outdoor terrace on Piazza Minerva is perfect for drinks and light meals combined with a spot of people watching while the hotel’s Roma restaurant serves up Sicilian cuisine under a very impressive stone vaulted ceiling.

Few places conjure up ‘la dolce vita’ vibes as effortlessly as Taormina – perched high above the sparkling Mediterranean, its dramatic location and spectacular views have attracted well-heeled travellers for centuries. With a prime location on one of Taormina’s most sought-after beaches, and only steps from the cable car up to the town’s medieval centre, the Mazzarò Sea Palace is perfect Sicilian escape.

Overlooking the picturesque bay of Mazzarò, the hotel’s 70 rooms and suites all come with a spacious balcony or terrace offering exquisite sea views – some even have private pools with Jacuzzis.

There’s also a lovely spa but for us, the real star of the show is the beautiful private beach – the perfect place to relax and enjoy a dip in the Med. Above that, you’ll find the swimming pool as well as Almarè bar and Armònia restaurant, while the outstanding new gourmet restaurant BLUM is described by the Michelin Guide as ‘’having few equals”.

With a dramatic cliffside setting overlooking the Baia della Sirene and some of Sicily’s most beautiful coastline, Atlantis Bay is the place to stay for those seeking a glamorous bolthole by the sea combined with easy access to the enchanting centre of Taormina (again, the cable car is just minutes away).

Inspired by the colours of the Mediterranean waters, the hotel’s 71 rooms and suites feature chic, luxe interiors with spacious balconies or terraces, all of which enjoy spectacular views of the sea.

As well as a spa and a fitness centre, there’s also a stunning pool carved out of a natural terrace on the rocks, and below that, the waterfront Beach Bar for drinks and snacks throughout the day. The Kori Bar offers wines of Etna as well as cocktails using local herbs while Ristorante Nui offers a modern take on traditional Sicilian cuisine.

For contemporary Italian style just a stone’s throw from the beach look no further than Cala Cuncheddi on Capo Ceraso, some 12km south of Olbia in northeast Sardinia. Overlooking the sea and a golden sand beach, this charming resort enjoys a beautifully peaceful setting in a grove of myrtle and ancient olive trees and offers guests the chance to slow down and step back from the pace of modern life.

There are 84 rooms and suites in total – almost all have sea views although some overlook the resort’s lovely gardens. Interiors are unfussy and understated, the décor inspired by the surrounding landscapes to create a wonderfully relaxing ambiance.

At the heart of the property is a large seafront pool while a short walk brings you to the sea and beautiful beach which has an area set aside for the private use of the hotel. There’s also a lovely spa complete with outdoor gazebo for al fresco treatments while three restaurants and a bar complete the picture.