I am hotel-obsessed.

There is nothing like stepping into a new property for the first time: the scent of fresh linens, the subtle hum of a perfectly curated lobby, the way a city’s personality is distilled into design, service, and atmosphere. Accommodations make or break the travel experience. Done well, they bring you closer to your destination, deepening your immersion into traditional spaces, architecture, and furnishings while offering a peaceful retreat from the bustling new surroundings. Done poorly…well, we’ve all been there.

This rings especially true in Italy. From agriturismi to ultra-luxury mountain retreats, Italy continues to be a playground for architects and interior designers beset with the welcome challenge of blending centuries of Italian culture, artistry, and tradition with contemporary charm.

And 2026 is set to be one of the most exciting years on record for luxury hotel enthusiasts with a passion for Italy.

From new entrants into Italy like the Ritz-Carlton to stalwarts like Rocco Forte, hotel brands are stepping up with new openings from Milan to Sicily that promise to blend heritage, design, and elevated experiences in ways that will make even seasoned travelers take notice. Here are the eight most exciting hotel openings in Italy that I’m watching closely (and that you should too).

1. Palazzo Castelluccio, Noto

As a Sicily devotee, this is by far the most exciting 2026 open on my list. In the heart of Noto’s UNESCO-listed Baroque Valley, Rocco Forte is set to unveil its third Sicilian property: Palazzo Castelluccio. This 18th-century neoclassical palace, originally constructed in 1782 for the Marquis di Lorenzo del Castelluccio, will be transformed into a 31-room luxury hotel. The carefully restored residence will feature a restaurant, bar, garden lounge, spa, gym, and event spaces, offering an intimate connection to a bygone era with the comfort of contemporary luxuries — a blend that Rocco Forte does exceptionally well.

The palazzo’s interiors, imagined by Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen, will blend historical elements with modern amenities, reflecting the city’s rich heritage. First looks show walls draped with silk and original Caltagirone ceramic floors, brought together with delicate crystalline chandeliers. Guestrooms are adorned in auction house antiques, adding to the sense of being lost in time.

2. Borgo Pignano Florence, Florence

Sister property to the renowned Borgo Pignano in Tuscany, Borgo Pignano Florence is set to open in 2026 to deliver the same exceptional, sustainable experience. This meticulously-restored 15th-century Florentine villa is designed to offer a secluded garden experience, set on 12 acres of grounds (more than any other hotel in Florence). Blending history with contemporary culture, this 11-building, 32-room estate sits on Montughi Hill, offering travelers a serene escape minutes from the pulse of Florence.

Each room is designed in typical Florentine style, with a focus on quality furnishings and fine Venetian fabrics. The property will also feature a private villa, Villa La Sosta, with five en-suite bedrooms, a plunge pool, a private garden, and a separate entrance for those seeking peak privacy and luxury.

3. Six Senses, Milan

In the heart of Milan’s artistic Brera district, Six Senses Milan is set to debut in early 2026. Housed in a historic palazzo at Via Brera 19, the hotel will offer 68 rooms, including 15 suites and two with plunge pools. Interiors will feature arabescato marble, antique brass detailing, handmade smoked glass, textured ceilings, and mosaic borders, reflecting the city’s rich heritage.

As is typical for its parent brand, the property will emphasize sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly materials and furnishings, a dedicated Earth Lab, a tranquil internal courtyard, and a specialty restaurant and deli showcasing seasonal cuisine. A state-of-the-art spa will offer a range of high-tech, high-touch treatments, complemented by a rooftop bar and sky pool.

Six Senses Milan aims to provide a blend of luxury, wellness, and cultural immersion, offering guests a serene retreat within one of Europe’s most dynamic fashion capitals.

4. Ritz-Carlton, Bellagio

What better setting could there be for the Ritz-Carlton’s entry into Italy than the shores of Italy’s most storied and luxurious lake? The Ritz-Carlton Bellagio is set to make its debut in 2026 with the reopening of the historic Hotel Grande Bretagne. The waterfront retreat will bring contemporary luxury to the timeless charm of Lake Como, with 59 rooms and 46 suites, designed to showcase the region’s beauty.

Guests can expect a full-service spa with indoor pool, multiple dining venues, and expansive gardens with winding meditation paths, along with a private dock for effortless lake access. Steps from Bellagio’s famed villas yet worlds away in atmosphere, the property is set to become a new standard-bearer for refined living on Lake Como. We love this addition especially for group travelers, with elevated meeting and event facilities that will bring fresh energy to one of Italy’s most coveted destinations.

5. Villa San Michele, Florence

Few brands bring Italy to life as well as Belmond, and this long-anticipated renovation is set to continue the trend. Villa San Michele is set to reopen after extensive renovation in April 2026. Set in terraced gardens overlooking Florence, Villa San Michele is a repurposed Renaissance monastery that presents a different side of Italian history, as integral as the sweeping cathedrals and galleries that lie in the city below.

One thing we love about the Belmond brand is its ability to create true seclusion, without sacrificing convenience. Though it is located just 15 minutes from Florence city center (accessible via courtesy shuttle), Villa San Michele remains intensely private, shrouded by lush lemon trees, rose gardens, and surrounding olive groves. With just 42 rooms and suites, Villa San Michele is already set to become one of Italy’s most exclusive properties.

6. Costa Smeralda, Sardinia

The team at Rocco Forte is set for yet another exciting move in 2026 with the opening of a two-acre seafront resort on Costa Smeralda, just north of Porto Cervo. This coastal enclave is renowned for its powder-white sands, turquoise Tyrrhenian waters, and the quintessential Italian lifestyle.

Designed with sustainability at its core, the resort honors its natural surroundings. Lush, landscaped gardens by Patrizia Pozzi and Rocco Forte Hotels’ director of design, Olga Polizzi, complement interiors crafted by Patricia Urquiola that are designed to bring the environment in to guests. The 64 rooms and suites will showcase natural materials and local craftsmanship, offering a serene retreat with spectacular sea views.

Guests can indulge in three restaurants emphasizing fresh, local ingredients, unwind at a state-of-the-art spa, and enjoy a rooftop bar overlooking Sardinia’s breathtaking coast. Additionally, the resort will feature a meeting and events space, making it an ideal destination for both relaxation and business gatherings.

7. The Carlton Milan, Milan

While it’s not technically a 2026 opening, we could not bear to leave it off out list. In the heart of Milan’s fashion district, The Carlton Milan is set to debut in November 2025 as Rocco Forte’s second property in the city. Housed in a 19th-century palazzo on Via della Spiga, the hotel will offer 71 rooms and suites designed to evoke the warmth and intimacy of a private residence. Interiors by Olga Polizzi, Paolo Moschino, and Philip Vergeylen will blend Milanese style with inviting spaces.

Culinary experiences will be led by Rocco Forte Creative Director of Food Fulvio Pierangelini, featuring a fine-dining restaurant, a cocktail bar, and an inner garden. The spa will offer nature-led, results-driven treatments, including a fitness center and dedicated hair and beauty salon. Designed as a gateway to Milan’s evolving cultural scene, The Carlton aims to immerse guests in the city’s art, design, and culinary landscapes.

8. The Rosewood Milan, Milan

2026 is shaping up to be a strong year for Milan hotel openings, but the Rosewood is certain to make an impression even in such impressive company. Housed in the historic 19th-century Palazzo Branca and Palazzo della Banca Commerciale on the edge of Milan’s fashion district, the Rosewood Milan will offer 70 rooms, including approximately 20 suites. Designed by Parisian firm Studio KO, the interiors will blend eclectic, colorful elements with the timeless elegance that characterizes the brand, reflecting the city’s vibrant spirit.

Guests can expect a bar and restaurant with a courtyard and garden, providing lively gathering spots that mirror the pulsating energy of Milan. An Asaya wellness facility will feature an indoor pool, fitness center, and treatment rooms, offering a serene retreat amidst the urban bustle. Situated steps away from the shopping of Via Montenapoleone, Rosewood Milan aims to embody the energetic spirit and culture of Italy’s fashion capital.

Be the first to experience these new properties

Each of these new openings promises experiences you won’t find anywhere else in Italy. If you want to be among the first to stay, indulge, and explore, reach out to our team today. Our experts have traveled all over Italy (and send hundreds of travelers over the years), and we look forward to helping you design the perfect custom itinerary.