"I was alongside my very large Italian family, on a journey to Ferentino, my grandpa's hometown. It's a small village west of Rome, overflowing with churches and hills and shutter doors and all the markings of an old world that you just hope will never disappear. I felt all the things you should feel from a well-planned Italian getaway: the deep history, the pride of its people, and how the food just tastes better."
"It took me entirely too long (thirteen red-sauce-starved years, to be exact) to return. I visited two of the hotels you'll see on this list-Milan's Hotel Calimala and Puglia's Vista Ostuni-praying to every cross that my memories weren't colored by my first sip of wine. Maybe it was Hotel Calimala's to-die-for rooftop view, or Vista Ostuni's pilgrimage-worthy Southern Italian menu, but my fears were hilariously unfounded."
"Turns out-as I and my fellow Esquire editors learned in our recent travels-it's a damn good time to visit the boot. In the last three years alone, Italy has opened its doors to more new properties that we can even get to. This year, in 2026, there will more than 10 major openings we can't wait to get to. In the meantime though, we've decided to roundup all the new properties that you should add to your summer hit list."
"While I stayed in an AC-less motel as a kid, Italy is now packed with five-star properties that offer impeccable hospitality without forgetting its regional history, cuisine, and breathtaking surroundings. Below, you'll find ultra-luxe residences like Rome's Bvlgari Hotel, which-once you set foot in its marble-adorned spa-you'll never want to leave. Or, if you're looking for a coastal escape, Tuscany's Terre di Sacra offers private homes that will have you searching the requirements for Italian citizenship."
A first trip to Italy to visit Ferentino with a large Italian family left lasting impressions of deep history, local pride, churches, hills, and memorable food. After a long gap, a return visit to places including Milan’s Hotel Calimala and Puglia’s Vista Ostuni brought relief that early memories were not distorted. Recent travel indicates Italy is opening many new properties, with more major openings expected in 2026. Luxury options now range from five-star hotels with strong hospitality to residences that emphasize regional history, cuisine, and surroundings. Examples include Rome’s Bvlgari Hotel with a marble-adorned spa and Tuscany’s Terre di Sacra offering private homes.
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