Safari is one of those rare travel experiences that manages...
Read MoreItaly’s hotel scene is having a moment — and we’re more than here for it.
From grand icons reimagined to fresh, design-led arrivals in both city hotspots and dreamy coastal escapes, the country’s luxury landscape is shifting in all the right ways. Whether you’re drawn to the cinematic romance of Rome, the polished glamour of Lake Como, or the slow, sun-drenched rhythms of Puglia, this latest wave of hotel openings is rewriting the rules on Italian indulgence.
At Swords, we’ve had our eye on these for a while. Some are long-awaited reveals by the likes of Rosewood and Four Seasons. Others, like the La Dolce Vita Orient Express train experience, redefine what ‘checking in’ even means. But they all share one thing: serious wow factor.
Here’s your insider look at 10 new stays across Italy — each one ready to elevate your next escape, whether you’re craving food, fashion, spa days or simply la dolce far niente done in style.
Rome doesn’t do things by halves — and neither does Rosewood. Now due to open in 2026 on Via Veneto, this long-anticipated debut will take over a full city block of grand 20th-century buildings, once home to a historic bank. The vault? Now a Roman-inspired bathhouse spa. The rooftop? Your new favourite aperitivo spot, with sweeping skyline views and candlelit allure.
Inside, the design is pure Rosewood: understated opulence meets cinematic flair, all wrapped up in a timeless Roman soul. With 157 rooms and suites, a trio of standout restaurants, and serious wellness credentials, this is a smart pick for those who want central Rome at their doorstep — but a serene, spoil-me sanctuary to return to.
Newly opened and already setting a new standard for Tuscan luxury, Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection is tucked into the Florentine hills, just north of the Duomo’s dome — and it’s one of Tuscany’s most beautiful new retreats. Once a cultural academy and aristocratic boarding school, it’s been revived by Auberge Resorts into a masterpiece of layered luxury. Frescoed ceilings? Yes. Private gardens and wine cellars? Absolutely. A theatre and a chapel from the original estate? Still very much part of the charm.
This is for the art lover, the slow traveller, the couple who wants the best of Florence without the bustle. You’ll have the city just 15 minutes away, but the estate’s leafy tranquillity — and that restaurant that feels like a secret supper club — might just convince you to stay put. And true to the Auberge name, the service here is quietly impeccable: warm, intuitive, and deeply personal, without ever feeling over-rehearsed.
Opening in summer 2025, The Lake Como EDITION is set to bring a fresh wave of style to one of Italy’s most iconic destinations. Nestled along the western shore with postcard views across to the Bellagio mountains, it promises a masterclass in contemporary luxury — all sleek lines, soft lighting, and quietly confident design.
This new EDITION blends heritage architecture with laid-back glamour. Expect lake-view rooms that feel like high-design residences, a floating pool that appears to hover over the water, and a spa sanctuary designed for slow, restorative mornings. With indoor and outdoor restaurants, a buzzy lobby bar, and the lake glittering just beyond the terrace, it’s shaping up to be the place to stay once doors open.
For those craving a Como escape that feels modern, minimal, and effortlessly cool — this one’s worth getting in early for.
In the heart of the Italian Alps, where snow-dusted peaks meet storybook villages, Aman Rosa Alpina is quietly preparing for its next chapter. First opened in 1939 and long cherished as a family-run alpine retreat, this beloved hotel is now being reimagined under the Aman banner — set to reopen in 2025 with a renewed sense of calm, craftsmanship, and quiet prestige.
Expect chalet-style luxury with a whisper of zen. The spa is cocooned in natural wood and stone, dining is local and exquisite (including Michelin-starred options), and the atmosphere is impossibly peaceful — even in peak ski season. It’s the kind of place where snowy adventures end with fireside herbal tea, and summer hikes are rewarded with mountain air and pure stillness.
This is the Dolomites, Aman-style — timeless, restorative, and discreetly luxurious.
Reopening in 2026 as part of Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts collection, Grand Hotel Gardone is preparing for a new era — and we’re watching closely. This historic waterfront beauty in Gardone Riviera is undergoing a multimillion-euro transformation that will preserve its belle époque façade while breathing new life into its interiors.
Right on the edge of the lake, with views that sweep from lemon groves to mountain peaks, the location is pure Garda magic. You’ve got easy boat access to the region’s prettiest towns, sun-drenched promenades for slow afternoon strolls, and the kind of romantic light that turns every aperitivo into a moment.
Inside, the feel will be refreshingly contemporary but still classic — think elegant rooms softened by natural tones, carefully restored heritage details, and intuitive service that lets the setting take centre stage.
We’ve got a bit of a wait for this one — but it’s already worth marking on the map. Opening in 2028, Four Seasons Resort Puglia will bring the brand’s signature polish to Italy’s Adriatic coast, just outside Ostuni and within easy reach of Alberobello and Monopoli. The setting is a standout: direct beach access (rare for the region), villa-style suites with sea views, and a design team that includes HKS Architects and ODA Architecture. There’ll be six restaurants and bars, a beach club, and a spa complete with hammam, yoga studio and indoor pool.
When it lands, it’ll be one of Puglia’s most elegant seaside escapes — barefoot luxury with the volume turned down, just how we like it. Puglia is going to be put further on the map that’s for sure.
Set to open in 2025, Corinthia Rome will bring a touch of Maltese heritage to the heart of the Eternal City. Housed in a grand neoclassical palazzo from 1914 — once the headquarters of the Bank of Italy — the hotel is being sensitively restored to reflect both its Roman setting and the understated luxury Corinthia is known for.
Tucked into Piazza del Parlamento, just steps from the boutiques of Via del Corso and the Spanish Steps, the hotel will feature 60 elegant rooms and suites, a serene courtyard, a luxurious spa, and multiple dining spaces led by celebrated chef Carlo Cracco. This will be the one to watch for travellers who’ve ticked off Rome’s icons and want to return to a place that feels quietly exclusive. Heritage, design, and hospitality done the Corinthia way — polished, warm, and effortlessly refined.
Launched this month, La Dolce Vita Orient Express is Italy’s answer to luxury rail — and it’s every bit as cinematic as it sounds. With interiors inspired by the golden age of Italian design and just 62 guests onboard, this is intimate, glamorous travel that leans into slow living and high style.
The train winds through 14 regions on curated two- and three-night itineraries, linking Rome, Venice, Portofino, and Sicily with off-train moments that read like scenes from a Fellini film — think vineyard tastings in the Tuscan hills, truffle hunts in Piedmont, and candlelit dinners in historic palazzi.
Onboard, the pace is unhurried, the cabins are rich in texture and nostalgia, and the dining showcases Italy’s regional flavours with elegant flair. For couples, honeymooners or Italophiles looking for something seriously special, this is travel as it used to be — soulful, scenic, and soaked in style. Our recent blog, Inside La Dolce Vita Orient Express spills even more details.
Opening in 2025, Rosewood’s takeover of the historic Hotel Bauer is set to bring fresh elegance to the heart of Venice. Just moments from Piazza San Marco, the 19th-century landmark is being sensitively restored — with a focus on blending heritage architecture, refined interiors, and Rosewood’s signature sense of calm luxury.
There’ll be over 100 rooms and suites, a rooftop bar with panoramic views, multiple dining spaces, a wellness centre and even an outdoor pool — a rare find in this part of the city. For returning Venice travellers looking for something quietly luxurious with a new perspective, this one will be well worth the wait.
Marking a new chapter for the storied brand, Orient Express La Minerva is the first ever city hotel from Orient Express — and it’s just opened its doors in the heart of Rome. Set in a 17th-century palazzo tucked behind the Pantheon, this is Roman luxury with heritage bones and a fresh creative spirit.
The interiors are dramatic in all the right ways — arched windows, plush velvet, warm brass, and sculptural detailing throughout. There’s a rooftop restaurant with views that stretch over the city’s domes, a spa inspired by ancient bathing rituals, and an intimate cocktail bar made for slow aperitivo hours.
A stylish debut and a new favourite for return visitors looking for somewhere characterful, cultured, and just a little bit hidden. We recommend pairing it with a La Dolce Vita Orient Express journey. It’s the perfect prelude — or encore — to life onboard.
From reimagined legends in Venice to lakeside newcomers and cinematic escapes by train, Italy’s hotel scene is in the midst of something special. These new openings aren’t just places to stay — they’re destinations in their own right, each with their own story, style, and sense of place.
Whether you’re planning a long-overdue Italian escape, scouting the perfect honeymoon spot, or just dreaming up your next long weekend, we’re here to help you make it happen — beautifully.
Ready to book, browse, or start planning? Drop us a message and let’s design your next Italian getaway the Swords way.
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