Travel & Leisure Magazine's January 2007 issue features their annual list of the world's best 500 hotels as named by their readers. The best-represented European country on the list is Italy with more than 20 percent of the European properties. A great feature they've added for their 2007 version is the ability to download a Google Earth layer featuring the 500 hotels. You can zoom in to rooftop level, plot a route to the Uffizzi Gallery from your hotel's front door, or just compare pools and proximity to the ocean. An example featuring the Bauer Il Palazzo in Venice is pictured on the right. All you need is a copy of Google Earth. If you haven't downloaded it already, click this link to download Google Earth. Then go to this page and click the link "Open the T+L 500 in Google Earth."
Of the 28 Italian hotels on the list, their number one pick overall is the Hotel Villa Cipriani in Asolo, a quiet medieval hill town an hour from Venice. This Sheraton-property is an intimate 16th-century villa which was once home to 19th-century English poet Robert Browning. It would serve as a good base for exploring the Palladian villas and nearby towns of Treviso, Vicenza and Padua. The rooms of choice are Nos. 101 and 102, with terraces featuring lovely garden views. An additional feature is the villa's spa, Wellnesspace. The property has 31 rooms, 1 restaurant and 1 bar.
Their number one choice on the Amalfi Coast is the Palazzo Sasso, a pink palazzo dating from the 12th century, located in the mountain village of Ravello. It is perched high on the cliffs, 350 meters (1,000 ft.) above the sparkling Mediterranean and overlooking some of the coast's most picturesque fishing villages. It has 43 rooms, 2 restaurants and 1 bar.
As for Florence, the nod goes to the Westin Excelsior, a restored 16th-century building on Piazza Ognissanti, near the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizzi Gallery. It provides a historic atmosphere with great service and modern amenities such as a brand-new fitness center and high-speed internet access. The hotel has 171 rooms, 1 restaurant and 1 bar.
Finally, in Venice, their number one recommendation is the the Bauer Il Palazzo, a quiet 18th-century authentic Venetian-style palazzo. This intimate boutique hotel is located within the heart of Venice and features its own Grand Canal berth. It is conveniently located just steps from Piazzo San Marco, and is close to Venice's finest shops, museums and sights. It has 82 rooms, 1 restaurant and 2 bars and has modern amenities such as a high-tech fitness center, high-speed internet access and a spa.
None of these hotels are for the budget-minded traveler, with room rates ranging from $400 to $1,000 per night for a double room, but if you want to enjoy Italy in high style, these would make some great choices.
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