Belmond Hotel Caruso

Once hosting aristocratic travellers, Russian royalty and renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau, a half century hiatus as an office building ended with a glorious restoration and re-establishment of this Roman icon, with contemporary-chic design and modern updates in harmony with the building’s classical architecture. The Hotel de Russie lies between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo on the Via del Babuino, within easy walking distance of Rome’s main attractions, fashion houses and Via Condotti. Though surrounded by the ceaseless buzz of the city, behind the hotel’s unassuming frontage, is a soothing tranquility – both in design and ambiance – and vast private 18th century terraced gardens, a rare oasis away from it all. 122 rooms and suites are thoroughly up to date amenity wise, complete with Bisazza mosaic and Carrara marble in the bathrooms. Some feature private terraces and many rooms have views over Rome, Piazza del Popolo or the garden. The Stravinskij Bar is renowned for its apertivos, while Le Jardin de Russie and its chef, two-Michelin-star chef Fulvio Pierangelini, serve up simple yet refined dishes Mediterranean dishes in one a most romantic of settings. Furthering the Hotel de Russie urban oasis credentials is the De Russie Spa, one of Rome’s best health clubs.

The Hotel Londra Palace is a beautiful historic property situated on the Riva degli Schiavoni, just a few steps from Piazza San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs. With views over the San Marco Basin and the Lagoon from one side and the city’s roopftops from the other, you couldn’t be better positioned to enjoy this magical place. The hotel has welcomed many distinguished guests, including Tchaikovsky who composed the first three movements of his Symphony No 4 in his room. The building has been sensitively restored and has kept many of the beautiful touches and original 19th-century features. The 53 rooms are all different to one another, but with the same elegant aesthetic. Wake up to views of either the city or the lagoon then sink into a deep tub at the end of the day exploring. The Do Leoni Restaurant is a lovely bright space where you can enjoy classic Venetian cooking as well as creative, contemporary cuisine. Grab an aperitif at the LondraBar and soak up the views of the San Marco Basin as you enjoy a perfectly mixed Bellini or Negroni.

Sat amidst the rolling green hills, deep in the heart of Tuscany, you will find the inviting haven of Borgo Pignano, a hotel built into a perfectly renovated 18th-century country villa. From this 750-acre hilltop estate, which offers exquisite views of Tuscany’s olives groves, fields and woodlands, you can indulge in the upmost comfort found in the 14 elegantly furnished rooms and suites. While the hotel has been renovated, it hasn’t forgotten its historic roots, and some rooms still feature their original frescoes under rustic wood beams. The hotel grows a lot of its own produce and has also started growing antique and heritage crops. The broad cross-section of flowers and plants you’ll find here attract bees, helping with the vital process of pollination of vegetables and fruit trees. The infinity pool is certainly one of the hotel’s most enticing features, cradled by old stone walls and looking out towards the impressive landscape. The wellness centre can be found just a few steps from the main building and offers a range of treatments which have been created using organic ingredients grown on the estate. Over in the hotel restaurant you can dine on fine Italian cuisine made from home-grown and locally sourced ingredients. The pasta here is made from wheat flour produced from grains grown on the property, so you can be assured you are really getting a true taste of Tuscany. This hotel is perfect for those seeking both relaxation and a range of exciting activities. Yoga classes take place inside the property, while those wishing to explore the outdoors can do so on horseback, or by bike. Painting classes, cooking classes and wine tastings are all part of the fun here at Borgo Pignano, making every stay unforgettable.

Lake Como is all about style and elegance, and the iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo with its impressive art nouveau façade, fits the brief perfectly. Sat on the western shores of the lake, the hotel looks out across the water to the pretty town of Bellagio and the dramatic Grigne mountains. Not to be outshone by its famous neighbour, Villa Carlotta, the hotel sits within beautifully landscaped gardens filled with rare and ancient magnolias, palm trees and flowers that explode in clouds of red, purple, pink and blue. Rooms come with large windows that look out over lake or gardens, and the views from the rooftop suites are hard to beat. It’s not just the scenery that’ll catch your eye, however, and there’s plenty to admire inside as well. The lounge is filled with brightly coloured furniture and features ornate silk hangings on the wall, while the billiards room is home to an original table from the 1800s. Guests can dine on seasonal Mediterranean cuisine in the restaurant where in the warmer months, food is served on the terrace. The trattoria and wine bar is perfect for more casual dining, offering the relaxed atmosphere of an ancient wine cellar with a touch of modern elegance. Relaxing here is easy; the hotel has a secluded outdoor pool in the gardens and its own man-made beach, located just in front of the water-on-water floating pool on the lake. The indoor infinity pool and spa look out over the water and offer luxurious Santa Maria Novella products and treatments. The hotel also has its own water limos for when you want to explore and discover the lake.