La Coluccia
La Coluccia is a Sardinian boutique hotel set in landscape grounds a few metres from its own private beach. The simply stylish rooms are designed with modern flair and all have panoramic views. The billionaire’s playground of the Sardinia’s Costa Esmeralda is within easy reach.

Room rates
€130–€320 a person in a double room, including continental breakfast and dinner (minimum stay of seven nights from 4–24 August; a minimum stay of three nights at all other times).

Il Palazzetto

This island of serenity and elegance lies in the heart of the Roman tourist beast, only a few short metres from the Spanish Steps. In fact, the view from the terrace of Il Palazzetto onto the 18th-century landmark is absurdly perfect. The private spaces at this boutique hotel in Rome are quiet and airy, lulling the world away. Kingsize beds are swathed in voluptuous yet unisex fabrics, and the marble bathrooms, which seem demure, are, upon inspection, quite naughty.

Room rates
€275–€396, including Continental breakfast and tax.

Masseria Cimino
A cluster of whitewashed farm buildings set around a kitchen garden and surrounded by ancient olive groves, Masseria Cimino is an archetypal Pugliese rustic hideaway with a fresh, dreamlike sheen. Ornamented with artfully rusted farm tools, dried plants and flowers, and jars of preserves, it’s a modern-day take on a classic farm stay – with food just like nonna used to make.

Room rates
Low season, €220–€390; mid-season, €300–€510; high season, €340–€590, including dinner, buffet breakfast and tax.

La Villa

Set amid rolling hills this boutique hotel in Piedmont is surrounded by spectacular scenery and some of the finest restaurants in Italy. La Villa is the ideal country hideaway; each room in the 17th-century building has been decorated with impeccable taste blending historic features with the modern essentials of flatscreen TVs and hi-fi wizardry.

Room rates
€165–€215, including breakfast

The Cinque Terre – an area famed for the beauty of its coastline, its five picturesque villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) and its famous ancient footpaths. Before the railway has been constructed, these foothpaths were the towns’ only link to the outside world.

This coastal region is one of the most amazing locations I have ever experienced with its spectacular terraced hills and sparkling blue seas.

There are different ways to experience Cinque Terre: begin by enjoying a cooling swim in the beautiful blue water, preferably in Monterosso which is the best Cinque Terre town for swimming. There is a sandy beach where it is free to swim and sunbath. If you like hiking or walking, Cinque Terre is a Hikers Paradise! You can hike from town to town, the five villages are all linked together by a series of hiking trails, a bit hard and exhausting but it is worth to do it.

Not a hiker? Don’t worry, you can still enjoy the beautiful views of the Cinque Terre: just jump on the ferry that takes you on an unforgettable sightseeing tour through Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore. You will admire this famous coastal path of the five seaside villages that make up the ‘Cinque Terre’: the olive trees, vineyards and the colorfully painted villas offer a breathtaking panorama of the coast.

The train is the easiest way to get to the Cinque Terre (just be aware that the trains in Italy have got also their delays, especially in summertime). From Milan, the train takes you directly to Monterosso within four hours. Monterosso is the first stop of the Cinque Terre.

If you are in Genova, just take the express directly to La Spezia to your Cinque Terra destination. This train takes an hour and a half. From La Spezia, take the local trains (’Regionale’) toward Sestre Levante, stopping at your destination. Riomaggiore is the first stop after La Spezia.

Having said that, this is one of the most delightful areas I have ever been to and I can fully appreciate why this region has been listed as a World Heritage Site.

Photo “Vernazza, Cinque Terre” from Photolupi on Flickr

Bulgari Hotel

The interior of this Milanese fashion hotel is a chocolate box of browns, blacks and whites, with an expensive, soft-minimal feel. You’ll never see a loose end or a scuff mark. The hotel has a slightly masculine appeal: it would make the ideal seduction scene for the sort of young man who gets GQ for the girls and the gear, andThe Economist for the gossip.

Room rates

€650–€4,400, plus ten per cent VAT.

Mr & Mrs Smith pick of the week is today an unusual design hotel in Florence.

Continentale

With its sleek minimalist design, the Continentale is the very antithesis of the classic Florentine Room with a View-style pensiones, and it’s a huge hit with those searching for a contemporary vibe. It almost sits right on the famous Ponte Vecchio, and is within a few minutes’ walk from, well, everywhere. The sleek receptionists are clad in black suits; black and white fashion photographs line the walls; classic European films run on a loop on a giant plasma screen in the foyer.

Room rates

€310–€1,050 (this excludes ten per cent tax but usually includes breakfast; check when booking).

Capri Palace Hotel & Spa

Michelin-starred Med cuisine, a serious Beauty Farm, and seaside chic as only Capri knows how. CapriPalace’s past is recorded in its vaulted ceilings and columns, now a backdrop for huge sofas and artworks; and the pool, overlooking the Isle of Ischia, where you can nibble on exotic-fruit skewers while wearing oversized sunglasses, sets the tone of Italian indulgence.

Room rates

€320–€3,500, including buffet breakfast and tax.

Casa Angelina

It’s hard to imagine a more majestic location than perched on the Amalfi coastal cliffs, between the green mountains and the deep blue sea – from the rooftop terrace, the ocean view spreads out before you like an azure blanket, disturbed only by the island bumps of Capri and Li Galli and the rocky toe of Italy stretching into the horizon. Every fixture, fitting and furnishing gleams brilliant white, solely offset by the wild and whimsical colours of the Murano glass sculptures dotted around the communal areas.

Room rates
Low season, €280–€720; high season €320–€990, including VAT. Buffet breakfast costs €21 a person

Mr & Mrs Smith partnered with TripShake Magazine! Every Friday we will publish a cherry picked boutique hotel from Mr & Mrs Smith selection for you to discover!

This week Mr & Mrs Smith suggests a wonderful hotel in the Aeolian Islands, Sicily.

Aeolian Islands, Sicily

Hotel Raya

Located on the island of Panarea, this perfect Mediterranean hideaway, offers delicious seafood and excellent diving, sailing and yachting. It’s a magical place that boasts the famous Raya nightclub, with the views of Stromboli volcano. Arriving from the Italian mainland or Sicily by helicopter is pure superstar style.

Room rates

€195-€480, including breakfast.