Venice
Hotel Danieli *****
Here indeed is where the whole world has passed through. Back in the 15th century the palace of the Dandolo doges was already the residence in which the great personalities visiting Venice were welcomed. Subsequently it became a hotel and a legend; for the passionate love story between Sand and De Musset in Room 10 in 1833, and the love affair between D'Annunzio and Duse; for Wagner's pangs, Thomas Mann's torments, and the meditations of Proust and Faulkner.

Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo ****
This oldest among old hotels in Italy was already open in 1308 and welcomed the doges before the beginning of the wild boar hunt in the Lido thickets. Its name is mentioned in Venetian chronicles down the centuries. In the 19th century it was restored when the Orseolo basin was created. Between the two World Wars it became the intellectual salon for the marchioness Casati and the Duke of the Abruzzi. In its long list of celebrities are the names of Richard Strauss and Winston Churchill.

Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal ****
Jean-Paul Sartre loved the elegance and harmony of its premises, set in the most romantic area in Venice. With him came writer Simone de Beauvoir, who chose this hotel as her home along the Grand Canal. Today's guests are industrial magnates, scientists, and men of letters, artists and people from the world of entertainment, all fascinated by the most beautiful city in the world.

Lake Como
Grand Hotel Villa d'Este *****
Around 1870 it housed the meetings of the brains who were organizing Milan's "Five Glorious Days". This institution, hovering between legend and history, also held the World Economic Summit of 1987. Mysterious Wally Simpson was spotted side by side with the Duke of Windsor. It is more a royal palace than a hotel; such was its role for a long time, when it offered hospitality to George IV's repudiated wife. Villa d'Este's refinement makes it one of the most exclusive palaces for international socialites.

Florence
Hotel Astoria Palazzo Gaddi ****
In 1638 John Milton, the celebrated English poet, was a guest at Palazzo Gaddi, whose "Hall of Celebrations" housed the first meetings of French-inspired Enlightenment in Italy (between 1750 and 1800). In the last century the splendid rooms with frescoes by Luca Giordano were the headquarters of the liberal paper Fieramosca and of the Chianti wine market. The blending of the aristocracy of intellect and blood made it the favourite hotel of Piero Chiara and Claudia of Orléans, daughter of the legitimate heir to the throne of France.

Grand Hotel ****
It welcomed legendary Leland Stanford jr. to whose memory was dedicated a University in California. In the 19th century its halls lent their gorgeous atmosphere to memorable parties. Today its dreamlike winter garden beautifully complements the rest of the premises of this great Florentine hotel which bears the touch of Brunelleschi and has been restored in its original setting by the last craftsmen of traditional guilds.

Hotel Excelsior *****
At the time when Florence was the capital of Italy it became the ideal dwelling place of chiefs of state and ministers. Rubinstein, Orson Welles, Chaplin, Sagan, Hiro Hito, Henry Ford, Juliana of Holland left their signatures on the golden book of important visitors. The building, once the Boccaccis' home, has maintained its original elegance and position on Lungarno (river front), perpetuating the tradition of top-class hospitality.

Grand Hotel Minerva ****
With a license to carry on the activity dating back to 1872, it is considered the oldest hotel in Florence. But earlier than that it was already a lodging house consisting of a series of medieval building. Since the unity of Italy it has become the favourite place of statesmen, ambassadors, military authorities, monarchs, (Elizabeth of Belgium, and Paul of Greece), scientists (physicist Bruno Pontecorvo and Jonaas Salk, the virologist who developed the first poliomyelitis vaccine) and poets (Prezzolini...).

Rome
Hotel Excelsior *****
Paparazzi, Hollywood stars and glamorous women faced each other outside the Excelsior, which in the Sixties was the symbol of "la Dolce Vita" in via Veneto flashlight. This gorgeous Belle Époque setting was also fancied by celebrities and, later on, by kings, such as legendary Farouk and Reza Palevi, with their endless retinues.

Hotel Quirinale ****
This is something few people know: the hotel and nearby Opera House are linked by an inside passage. That is also why preminent musicians, such as Mascagni, Puccini, and Verdi chose it during their successful tours. A large place reminds us that Verdi appeared at the hotel windows to be cheered by his Roman fans after the premiere of Falstaff in 1893. Its reputation and hospitable comfort have always appealed to an international select clientéle.

Le Grand Hotel ****
A part of Italian history took place in its exuberant elegance. The Prussian Prince von Bulow was here in 1914 on his diplomatic mission to win Italy over to his country. Here were also Badolgio's CLN (Committee of National Literation) headquarters when it obliged Mussolini to resign. First founded by Cesare Ritz, father to London's Savoy, it has welcomed hundreds of prominent personalities and is still the meeting place for the world of fashion and diplomacy.

Milan
Hotel Principe di Savoia *****
Seat of the world wide summit of politicians from the great industrialized countries, it is also the favourite hotel of big business tycoons, international fashion models, movie stars...The best in Milan! Recently restored, it looks like a top level "palace" competing with any other outstanding establishment thanks to its refinement and comfort.