As travelers seek authentic experiences, Italy offers something increasingly rare: depth, beauty, and an enviable way of life that is anchored in timeless history. From café-lined piazzas to vineyard-dotted hillsides and storied coastlines, the country delivers culture that embodies La Dolce Vita, which continues to captivate audiences from all over the globe.

That pull is translating into strong performance as well. According to Cushman & Wakefield, hotel activity across Italy—and Europe at large—is on the rise, with overnight stays expected to grow by 5.6 percent this year. Urban hubs and resort destinations are benefiting from renewed international travel and a growing appetite for places that promise a sense of place alongside comfort.

Launching in late 2026, Six Senses Milan, shown in a rendering, embraces a material palette of arabescato marble, antique brass detailing, and smoked glass

With 35 hotels and 4,327 rooms under construction, according to Lodging Econometrics, brands are also taking note with luxury rollouts like the forthcoming Six Senses Milan from London firm Tara Bernerd & Partners to the recently opened Corinthia Rome from London-based G.A Group.

Here, a range of sumptuous stays reflect a surge in high-end development that offers more flavors of the sweet life than ever before.

W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu

A large-scale mural by Kooness depicting the Phoenician goddess Tanit anchors the lobby at the W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu

Intimacy and openness unfold across the W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu. “Design conversations centered on storytelling, discovery, and experience,” points out Meyer Davis cofounder Gray Davis, “exploring how [we] could create a deeper connection between guests and the island. The task was not only about imposing a new identity, but also about uncovering one that already existed.”

With architecture by Milan firm DE.TALES, the interiors balance a firm sense of place with a contemporary global perspective. Fables of Sardinian fairies influence a narrative of mystery, movement, and even stewardship across the cliffside getaway. Ceramics nod to Sardinian craftsmanship, while reflective metals and finishes capture light and motion to echo the sea along with sand, stone, and marine hues. Original elements like Orosei marble floors and archways are honored in each of the resort’s whitewashed structures as well. “This project allowed us to respond to a growing desire for authenticity,” adds firm partner Will Meyer. “W Sardinia offers something experiential and expressive while remaining deeply tied to its surroundings.”

The Lake Como EDITION

The celadon green marble bar is the centerpiece of the lobby bar in the Lake Como EDITION, shown in a rendering

A modern oasis for global travelers and tastemakers, the Lake Como EDITION honors regional legacies across interiors crafted in collaboration with Shanghai-based Neri&Hu Design and Research Office and DE.TALES. “This project presented an opportunity to introduce a new experience of luxury that resonates with the modern traveler,” says EDITION creative director Kirstin Bailey. “The [hotel] reimagines the destination’s legacy, bridging timeless sophistication with the beauty of Lake Como.”

Beyond the cantilevered teak entrance, a monumental celadon green marble bar and a sculptural marble staircase channeling Italian architect Carlo Scarpa welcome guests to the lobby. A reflection pool and fountain also herald guests at the polished brass elevator bank, gesturing toward the waterside promenade and lake top pool.

Bespoke walnut beds, white Calacatta marble coffee tables, and curved sofas round out the sophisticated furnishings found in the 148 guestrooms, including 25 suites, two penthouses, and a nine-room villa. “Our aim was to interpret Italian luxury through a modern lens, reimagining this storied locale and marking a departure from traditional regional design,” Bailey says. “The hotel is both a serene retreat and a dynamic destination, setting a new benchmark for luxury.”

Villa Timeo

Warm seafoam, sand, and driftwood tones juxtapose textiles that draw on the region’s flora at Villa Timeo in Taormina, Sicily

Dramatic views of Mount Etna and Mediterranean landscapes steered the rebirth of a 21-room estate into Villa Timeo, a collaboration between Belmond and Paris-based Laura Gonzalez Studio. “We wanted guests to feel immersed in a place of quiet sophistication, emotional warmth, and cultural continuity, experiencing Sicily in an intimate way,” says Valentina Vagnoni, Belmond’s director of interior design.

Textiles draw upon the region’s lush flora, with tapestries by local artist Alessandro Florio further amplifying the setting. Warm seafoam, sand, and driftwood tones layer with vintage furnishings, while alfresco amenities like the infinity pool and terrace invite guests to bask in the natural splendor of Sicily. “Through a careful, heritage-led design, the property embodies Sicily’s front row—a place where history, landscape, and contemporary culture converge,” Vagnoni adds. “It offers a refined, immersive experience that appeals to today’s culturally curious travelers.”

Orient Express La Minerva

Original frescoes, golden coatings, deep walnut wood, and Rossa Verona marble compose the ornate Orient Express La Minerva in Rome

The iconic Orient Express brand continues its foray into the hotels, aiming for 10 locations by 2030. Its debut, the Orient Express La Minerva, opened in a 17th-century Rome palazzo in early 2025 and distinguished itself with luxury rooted in both Roman history and the modern spirit of the Eternal City. (The brand’s second property, the Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, is set to open in Venice this April, with a design from Paris-based Aline Asmar d’Amman.)

Led by Paris-based artist and architect Hugo Toro, the project is rooted in its location. “We worked with the identity of the city, the neighborhood, and the surroundings, just steps away from the Pantheon,” he syas.

Original frescoes, golden coatings, walnut, and Rossa Verona marble compose an ornate backdrop for custom fabrics, artwork, and cabinets of curiosities. Neighboring churches also inspired a juxtaposition with raw and polished elements expressed through an interplay of velvets, precious wood, and ceramics handpainted with bespoke motifs. Rose-hued headboards reminiscent of Roman sunsets imbue an elevated, artful sense of place in guestrooms. “Rather than freezing it in time, we treated the project as a ricochet with the past: respectful, but alive,” Toro adds. “It’s not a hotel that imitates history—it continues it.”

Baccarat Hotel Rome

A rendering of the terraced restaurant at the forthcoming Baccarat Hotel Rome, which overlooks the Via Veneto

Slated for a late 2026 debut, Baccarat Hotel Rome will weave its legendary elegance across an 87-key property in the Italian capital, thanks to a design from Chicago- and Paris-based Pierre-Yves Rochon and global firm IA Interior Architects. The former Hotel Majestic will be reborn as a vibrant cultural and social hub with lavish finishes and details to accent Baccarat signatures. “Rome is a natural next step for the brand, given the city’s appreciation for craftsmanship, tradition, and refinement,” says Starwood Hotels chief development officer Abhay Bakaya. “This project reflects [our] strength in translating a luxury brand into a fully realized hospitality experience.”

Grandiosity will be balanced with elegance, manifesting in lively public spaces and guestrooms conceived as serene retreats. Luxe French and Italian fabrics will line interiors along with Versailles timber parquet floors and Italian marbles. Modern and heritage references will enrich the ambiance, complete with reflective materials that permeate light for depth and drama. “This project honors the history of the location while bringing a more current point of view,” adds Neil Kazakos-Andrew, Starwood Hotels’ vice president of design, EMEA. “It responds to a growing appetite for places that feel authentic and rooted but still thoughtfully designed and globally attuned.”

Photos and renderings courtesy of Alexandre Tabaste and Baccarat Hotels, Belmond, Corinthia Hotels, Marriott, Orient Express, and Six Senses

This article originally appeared in HD’s February/March 2026 issue.