Genoa, Italy
The 5 best boutique and luxury hotels in Genoa, Italy
Genoa’s most chic boutique hotels
Genoa doesn’t try to charm you in the obvious ways and that’s exactly why we love it. Located on the Ligurian coastline in northwestern Italy, this gritty, grand port city has layers – Renaissance palaces, narrow mediaeval alleyways and industrial remnants that haven’t been polished out for tourists. And just like the city itself, the hotel scene isn’t about flashy lobbies or poolside influencers – it’s about depth. You’ll find quiet luxury behind stone walls, frescoed ceilings above rainfall showers and rooftop breakfasts that rival any itinerary. We’ve handpicked the hotels where the focus is on character over cliché.
Top photography courtesy of Palazzo Durazzo Suites
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Palazzo Durazzo Suites
Palazzo Durazzo Suites offers twelve unique hideaways, each suite named and styled after a thread in Genoa’s intricate tapestry, housed in a Rolli palace (a group of grand palaces in Genoa) built in 1624 by the Durazzo family. After serving various roles, including as a university campus, the building underwent a seven-year restoration led by architect Emanuela Brignone Cattaneo, a descendant of the original owners. The design is understated – neutral palettes and plush materials alongside original Genoese grit flooring and Baroque touches, like seashell-encrusted ceilings. You’ll also find a selection of museum-quality antiques displayed throughout the hotel, like the glittering Balkan costume that was an ancestral gift from Elena of Montenegro, Queen of Italy.
Palazzo Durazzo Suites
Via Antonio Gramsci 1C
Genova
Italy
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Photography courtesy of Palazzo Durazzo Suites
02
Capitolo Riviera
A half‑hour train ride from central Genoa, Capitolo Riviera emerges like a secret garden on the edge of Nervi’s seaside park. The interior design was done by Parisotto + Formenton Architetti in a 1970s‑inspired palette of warm neutrals and brass accents. Behind the Art Nouveau façade, you’ll find 70 rooms and suites with Frette linens, pillow‑top mattresses and balconies overlooking the Mediterranean. The design integrates the building with its natural surroundings, featuring over 2,500 native plants and century-old trees. On-site, you can enjoy the Onde wellness area featuring both indoor and outdoor pools, a steam room and private treatment suites. For dining, you can choose between the Botanico restaurant and Liquido bar, both of which focus on serving Ligurian staples, paired with local Vermentino.
Capitolo Riviera
Viale Delle Palme 16A
Genova
Italy
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Photography courtesy of Capitolo Riviera
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Hotel Palazzo Grillo
Stepping into Hotel Palazzo Grillo feels like crossing a threshold into Renaissance Genoa. Built in 1545 for Marquess Domenico Grillo and abandoned for decades, the palazzo was restored in 2011 by Pinna Viardo Architetti, who unearthed hidden frescoes and preserved imposing marble columns. The star of the show at this hotel is the rooftop terrace, where bell towers punctuate the skyline. Another unique feature we love about this hotel is the on-site Primo Piano exhibition space, where they showcase contemporary photography and design – you can easily spend hours here. Located in the pedestrian‑only Old Town, it’s just a short stroll to Piazza de Ferrari, though you’ll want to linger over an afternoon prosecco in the frescoed lounge.
Hotel Palazzo Grillo
Piazza delle Vigne 4
Genova
Italy
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Photography courtesy of Hotel Palazzo Grillo
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Grand Hotel Savoia
Grand Hotel Savoia isn’t shy about being a classic. And to be fair, it’s earned the right. With its Belle Époque façade and ornate lobby, Grand Hotel Savoia has welcomed royalty, artists and heads of state since 1897. Its guest book still bears signatures from Italian monarchs and celebrated creatives and the modern renovations honour that legacy – wood-panelled halls, crystal chandeliers and frescoed salons that feel both opulent and warm. The offering is anything but old-school, with the La Spiaggia Segreta wellness area that includes a sauna, large hot tub, aromatherapy showers and two rooftop jacuzzis with gulf views. We also love the Salgari Restaurant, serving Ligurian specialities like seafood risotto, while the cocktail bar’s signature Negroni is a must.
Grand Hotel Savoia
Via Arsenale di Terra 5
Genova
Italy
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Photography courtesy of Grand Hotel Savoia
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Grand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa
Art Nouveau meets modern comfort at Grand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa. This seaside landmark first opened in 1904, when British grand tourists flocked to the Ligurian coast. Now under the Rocchi family, it offers 80 rooms with parquet floors, art‑deco furnishings and sweeping sea views. A standout feature is the Erre spa – the largest hotel spa in Liguria at 2,000 m² – boasting Finnish saunas, Turkish baths, Kneipp paths and multi‑sensory showers. The dining options are well worth a mention – on the rooftop, you’ll find Le Cupole, a restaurant that earned a Michelin Plate distinction for its Ligurian tasting menu. For a bistro experience, head to La Veranda and enjoy a meal on the panoramic terrace or grab a pre-dinner cocktail at the Silk Bar.
Grand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa
Via Aurelia Orientale 369
Rapallo
Italy
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Photography courtesy of Grand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa
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