Italy, Above Par

By Dan Howarth

Hey (HAP)ers!

I’m a couple of days into a 2.5-week jaunt around Northern Italy, mostly exploring hotels across Tuscany as a sandwich for a stint in Milan for the Salone del Mobile design week (more on that next week!). As HAP founder and editor-in-chief Brandon Berkson stated in a recent Substack essay: “Only sociopaths don't like Italy,” and I couldn’t agree more. The food! The language! The scenery! The history! THE FOOD! April is also the perfect time to visit for great weather and fewer crowds. My first stop on this tour of no less than six hotels is Pieve Aldina (see below), and I’ll keep you all posted as my itinerary progresses in following issues of this newsletter. Since we’re talking Italy this week, Britney Eschelman has rounded up her picks of Italy's best affordable boutique hotels, while Ruby Gregg’s news bulletin includes a brand-new address in Milano.

Grazie mille for reading! D x

- Dan Howarth, HAP Weekly Newsletter Editor

By Dan Howarth

The careful restoration of historic villas, monasteries, and borgos (medieval hamlets) and their transformation into boutique hotels is what Tuscany does best. Luckily, it’s the strong suit of the Fontenille Collection, too. (Case in point: Domaine de Fontenille in Provence, which I reviewed for HAP last year.) For the brand’s first Italian property, the summer residence of the bishops of Siena has been converted into a 22-key gem that retains all the charm of the original buildings. Exposed ceiling beams, locally sourced terracotta, and antique religious iconography define Pieve Aldina, which is named after the site’s fresco-lined church, and sits amongst olive groves and overlooks the ridiculously picturesque Chianti hills.

The region is world-renowned for its red wines, particularly the Chianti Classico—a fresh and fruity Sangiovese-based varietal that’s protected by a national designation. We sampled a delicious bottle during a tasting organized by Pieve Aldina, one of the many experiences that the Fontenille brand executes so well thanks to the deeply passionate and highly personable team. Thomas, who led our wine and olive oil class, couldn’t contain his glee as he spoke about the various wines and explained the different notes to us. Meanwhile, the following day, head chef Nicolo expertly guided us through the preparation of fresh pasta with pomodoro sauce, bruschetta, and tiramisu (which we then enjoyed for dinner) with just as much joy. Thinking back to the unique wine blending course I undertook at Domaine de Fontenille, which was also both incredibly informative and so much fun, a common theme of hosting and caring for guests like they’re staying in someone’s home recurs through Fontenille’s portfolio.

Pieve Aldina is ideally situated between Florence and Siena, and provides a great base for exploring both, as well as the plethora of Chianti wineries. The hotel has a small spa offering massages and facials, plus an infra-red sauna and a steam room for unwinding after a day of culture, or several glasses. Between the historic stone buildings and wisteria-covered pergolas, small outdoor seating areas provide quiet nooks for a morning cappuccino or a spritz for aperitivo. Pieve is also adding a second swimming pool this summer, with a sweeping view across the cypress-flecked valley to Radda in Chianti, making it an ideal rural escape. In the three years since opening, it’s easy to see why this boutique hotel has become an instant classic.

By Ruby Gregg

I’m Ruby, HAP’s News Editor. Each week, I highlight the travel, hotel, and lifestyle stories catching our Editor-in-Chief Brandon Berkson’s eye—and what should catch yours too. Have an above-par piece of news? Pitch me at [email protected]

A refreshed lobby and La Galerie have arrived at Fouquet’s Paris, reimagined by Friedmann & Versace, welcoming a more sculptural, Art Deco–inflected energy to its Champs-Élysées address. The update complements the hotel’s theatrical spirit while maintaining its classic Parisian polish, serving as a confident refinement of one of the city’s most recognizable grande dames.

Nikki Beach Hospitality Group has debuted Lucia Marbella at the newly renovated Don Carlos Marbella Hotel, extending its signature beach-club DNA into a refined dining setting. The concept channels Mediterranean cuisine through a laidback, coastal setting.

LARDON is set to debut in the Cotswolds this summer with a European-inspired small plates concept focused on seasonal, shareable dining. The offering signals a lean towards relaxed gatherings while maintaining a fresh, social energy within the region’s ascending dining scene.

The Louvre Boutique introduces “Keramos,” a capsule collaboration with artist Blandine Imberty inspired by ancient ceramic collections. The pieces reinterpret Greco-Roman forms through sculptural silhouettes and classical motifs. It’s a restrained, contemporary take on archaeological design language.

Casa Laveni Opens in Milan’s Brera District

Casa Laveni has opened in Milan’s Brera district, transforming a former private residence into an elegant 30-room hideaway. Designed by Delogu Architecture, the property melds historic bones with a contemporary sensibility. It’s an understated new addition to one of Milan’s most architecturally rich neighborhoods.

By Britney Eschelman

When you think of a trip to Italy—or Europe in general—“affordable” probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind. But at Hotels Above Par, finding boutique stays that feel high-design without the high price tag is kind of our thing. 

Come low season, a handful of Italy’s most alluring hotels quietly drop their rates—meaning you can check into a stylish palazzo, countryside masseria, or historic villa without blowing your entire travel budget. Here’s where to book now (and when) to make your Italian getaway feel a little more within reach.

In Florence, Hotel Torre de Bellosguardo delivers old-world grandeur with a surprisingly approachable starting rate. Perched on Bellosguardo Hill, this historic stay—once home to the Medici family—offers sweeping views over the Renaissance city, alongside manicured gardens and a glimmering outdoor pool. With just 16 rooms, it’s an intimate escape that feels worlds away from the crowds, starting at $205 per night during low season.

Further south in Puglia, Masseria Le Carrube leans fully into its roots. Tucked just outside Ostuni—known as the “White City”—this whitewashed retreat is surrounded by olive groves and steeped in local history. Its 19 rooms blend antique furnishings with modern touches, while a traditional trullo, aged olive mill, and even a 12th-century olive press ground the experience in authentic Puglian culture. Rates start at $200 per night in the low season.

Then there’s Palazzo Presta in Gallipoli, arguably the best-value find of the bunch. Set in the heart of the old town near the aquamarine Ionian Sea, this 10-room stay pairs historic bones with a bold, design-forward edge—think curated antiques, bespoke artwork, and a seductive color palette. Add in its Lazzaro&Caterina restaurant and Terrazza Laurus cocktail club, and you’ve got a stay that punches well above its $125 starting rate.

Read the Affordable & Adorable breakdown for the full Italian hotel list here.