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Genoa
Welcome to Genoa, the proud port city and historic maritime republic. A city of magnificent UNESCO-listed palaces, a labyrinthine medieval old town, and the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, Genoa is a treasure trove of art and history. From grand historic hotels to chic modern retreats, this guide to the best luxury hotels in Genoa reveals the city’s most elegant stays.
Welcome to Genoa: The Proud Queen of the Ligurian Sea
Welcome to Genoa, the proud and historic port city and former maritime republic that once ruled the Mediterranean. A city of magnificent, UNESCO-listed Renaissance and Baroque palaces, a vast and labyrinthine medieval old town (the largest in Europe), and the famous birthplace of Christopher Columbus, Genoa is a true and often-overlooked treasure trove of art, history, and maritime soul. From its grand, historic hotels to its chic and modern retreats, this comprehensive guide to the best luxury hotels in Genoa will reveal the city’s most elegant, historic, and sophisticated stays for an unforgettable Ligurian adventure.
1. Grand Hotel Savoia
The Place: The most iconic and historic grand hotel in Genoa, this magnificent Belle Époque palace has been welcoming royalty and dignitaries since 1897. Located opposite the main Principe train station, the hotel is celebrated for its opulent interiors, its rich history, and its spectacular rooftop terrace with a jacuzzi, offering panoramic city and port views.
My Top Pick: The spectacular rooftop terrace, with its two jacuzzis and lounge area, offers some of the most breathtaking, panoramic views of the entire city.
1. Grand Hotel Savoia: A Belle Époque Masterpiece
The Place: The most iconic and historic grand hotel in Genoa, this magnificent Belle Époque palace has been welcoming royalty, dignitaries, and discerning travelers since it first opened its doors in 1897. Perfectly located opposite the main Principe train station, the hotel is celebrated for its opulent, beautifully restored interiors that evoke the golden age of travel, its rich and fascinating history, and its spectacular rooftop terrace with a jacuzzi, which offers panoramic city and port views.
My Top Pick: The spectacular rooftop terrace, with its two large jacuzzis and its elegant lounge area, offers some of the most breathtaking, sweeping, and panoramic views of the entire city, the bustling port, and the beautiful Ligurian hills.
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2. Hotel Bristol Palace
The Place: A magnificent and elegant Art Nouveau hotel located on the city’s main shopping street, Via XX Settembre. The hotel is a true architectural jewel, famous for its spectacular and iconic, elliptical marble staircase that winds its way up through the building. It offers a timeless and deeply historic experience of old-world glamour and sophistication.
My Top Pick: The breathtaking and magnificent, elliptical marble staircase is a true masterpiece of architecture and the undisputed heart and soul of this historic hotel.
2. Hotel Bristol Palace: A Jewel of Art Nouveau
The Place: A magnificent and deeply elegant Art Nouveau hotel, the Hotel Bristol Palace is perfectly located on the city’s main and most prestigious shopping street, the Via XX Settembre. The hotel is a true and undisputed architectural jewel, world-famous for its spectacular and iconic, elliptical marble staircase that scenically winds its way up through the entire building. It offers a timeless and deeply historic experience of classic, old-world glamour and sophistication that is truly unforgettable.
My Top Pick: The breathtaking and magnificent, elliptical marble staircase is a true masterpiece of architecture and the undisputed historic heart and soul of this beautiful and elegant hotel. It is a spectacle that has to be seen to be believed.
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3. Meliá Genova
The Place: A sophisticated and elegant hotel housed in a beautifully restored historic building that was once the home of a famous shipbuilding family. Located in a chic and tranquil residential area, the hotel is known for its magnificent indoor swimming pool and its serene atmosphere. It provides a peaceful and luxurious escape from the city’s bustle.
My Top Pick: The magnificent and large indoor swimming pool, which is set within a beautiful, light-filled space, is a true oasis of wellness and relaxation.
3. Meliá Genova: A Serene and Sophisticated Retreat
The Place: A sophisticated and deeply elegant hotel, the Meliá Genova is housed in a beautifully restored historic building that was once the home of a famous shipbuilding family. Perfectly located in a chic, tranquil, and upscale residential area, the hotel is particularly known for its magnificent and rare indoor swimming pool and its serene, peaceful atmosphere. It provides a peaceful and deeply luxurious escape from the bustling energy of the city center, yet is still a close walk.
My Top Pick: The magnificent and large indoor swimming pool is a true oasis of wellness and relaxation. It is set within a beautiful, light-filled space and is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of exploring Genoa’s hills.
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4. NH Collection Genova Marina
The Place: A modern and stylish hotel with a spectacular and unique location, built on stilts directly over the water in the heart of the Porto Antico (Old Port). The hotel, designed by the renowned architect Renzo Piano, offers stunning, direct views of the marina, the famous Genoa Aquarium, and the historic Galeone Neptune pirate ship.
My Top Pick: The unique and unforgettable experience of staying in a room that feels like it is floating directly on the water of the marina.
4. NH Collection Genova Marina: A Room on the Water
The Place: A modern and stylish hotel that boasts a spectacular and truly unique location, as it is built on stilts directly over the water in the heart of the vibrant Porto Antico (Old Port) area. The hotel, which was designed by the world-renowned Genovese architect Renzo Piano, offers stunning, direct, and uninterrupted views of the beautiful marina, the world-famous Genoa Aquarium, and the historic Galeone Neptune pirate ship replica from many of its rooms.
My Top Pick: The unique and truly unforgettable experience of staying in a room that feels like it is literally floating directly on the water of the marina, with boats and yachts sailing right past your private balcony, is absolutely incredible.
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5. Hotel Continental Genova
The Place: A beautiful and historic Art Nouveau hotel located directly opposite the main Principe train station. The hotel has been beautifully restored to preserve its timeless elegance and historic charm. It is known for its magnificent, historic ballroom and its sophisticated atmosphere, offering a classic and deeply comfortable experience with an incredible sense of style.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s magnificent and beautifully preserved historic ballroom, with its stunning frescoes and chandeliers, is a true architectural jewel of the Belle Époque.</p
5. Hotel Continental Genova: A Timeless Art Nouveau Classic
The Place: A beautiful and deeply historic Art Nouveau hotel, the Hotel Continental is perfectly located directly opposite the main Principe train station in a magnificent, historic building. The hotel has been beautifully and meticulously restored to preserve its timeless elegance and its rich, historic charm. It is particularly known for its magnificent, original, historic ballroom and its sophisticated, old-world atmosphere, offering a classic and deeply comfortable experience with an incredible sense of style.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s magnificent and beautifully preserved historic ballroom, with its stunning and original frescoes, its intricate stucco work, and its glittering Murano glass chandeliers, is a true and breathtaking architectural jewel of the Belle Époque era.
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6. Tower Genova Airport – Hotel & Conference Center
The Place: A large, modern, and highly convenient hotel with a prime location directly connected to the Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport. The hotel is known for its extensive business and conference facilities, its comfortable and soundproofed rooms, and its excellent service. It provides the perfect, hassle-free base for business travelers or those with an early flight.
My Top Pick: The unparalleled convenience of being able to walk directly from the hotel to the airport terminal makes for a completely stress-free travel experience.
6. Tower Genova Airport – Hotel & Conference Center: The Ultimate in Convenience
The Place: A large, modern, and highly convenient hotel, this property boasts a prime and unbeatable location, as it is directly connected to the Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport terminal. The hotel is known for its extensive and modern business and conference facilities, its comfortable and completely soundproofed rooms, and its excellent, professional, and highly efficient service. It provides the perfect, completely hassle-free base for business travelers or for those with an early morning flight.
My Top Pick: The unparalleled and incredible convenience of being able to simply walk directly from the hotel lobby to the airport terminal in just a few minutes makes for a completely stress-free and seamless travel experience for any guest.
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7. Hotel Palazzo Grillo
The Place: An exquisite and unique hotel housed in a magnificent 16th-century palace, one of the famous ‘Palazzi dei Rolli’ and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in the heart of the historic center, the hotel features magnificent original frescoes and a stunning design. It offers a truly unique opportunity to sleep within a historic masterpiece.
My Top Pick: The breathtaking experience of staying in a room with beautifully preserved, original 16th-century frescoes by the famous artist Giovanni Battista Castello, ‘Il Bergamasco’.
7. Hotel Palazzo Grillo: A Stay in a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Place: An exquisite and truly unique hotel, the Palazzo Grillo is housed in a magnificent and historic 16th-century palace, which is one of the famous ‘Palazzi dei Rolli’ and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site in its own right. Located in the very heart of the historic center, the hotel features magnificent and beautifully preserved original frescoes by the famous artist Bergamasco and a stunning, contemporary design. It offers a truly unique opportunity to sleep within a historic masterpiece.
My Top Pick: The breathtaking and truly once-in-a-lifetime experience of staying in a beautiful room or suite that features beautifully preserved, original 16th-century ceiling frescoes by the famous Genovese artist Giovanni Battista Castello, known as ‘Il Bergamasco’.
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8. Best Western Premier CHC Airport
The Place: A modern and stylish hotel with a very convenient location, just a few minutes’ drive from the Genoa Airport. The hotel is known for its sleek, contemporary design, its comfortable rooms, and its excellent on-site restaurant. It offers a practical and sophisticated base for travelers, with a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s excellent restaurant, which serves delicious and creative interpretations of classic Ligurian and Italian cuisine, is a true and unexpected highlight.
8. Best Western Premier CHC Airport: Modern Comfort by the Airport
The Place: A modern and very stylish hotel with a very convenient location, just a few minutes’ drive from the Genoa Airport in the Sestri Ponente district. The hotel is known for its sleek, contemporary design, its very comfortable and well-appointed rooms, and its excellent on-site restaurant. It offers a practical and surprisingly sophisticated base for travelers, with a convenient and complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport terminal for all of its guests.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s excellent and highly-rated on-site restaurant, which serves delicious and creative interpretations of classic Ligurian and Italian cuisine, is a true and very pleasant and unexpected highlight for guests staying at an airport hotel.
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9. HNN Luxury Suites
The Place: A collection of chic and contemporary suites with a fantastic location in the heart of the city’s main shopping and commercial district. The suites offer a stylish and modern residential-style experience, with a focus on high design, comfort, and independence. They are perfect for travelers who appreciate a sophisticated, minimalist aesthetic and a central location.
My Top Pick: The sleek and sophisticated minimalist design of the spacious suites provides a tranquil and deeply stylish urban retreat in the heart of the city.
9. HNN Luxury Suites: A Chic and Minimalist Urban Retreat
The Place: A collection of chic and highly contemporary suites, HNN Luxury Suites enjoys a fantastic location in the very heart of the city’s main and most prestigious shopping and commercial district. The suites offer a stylish and modern residential-style experience, with a strong focus on high design, exceptional comfort, and providing a sense of independence. They are perfect for travelers who appreciate a sophisticated, minimalist aesthetic and a prime, central location.
My Top Pick: The sleek and sophisticated minimalist design of the incredibly spacious and light-filled suites provides a wonderfully tranquil and deeply stylish urban retreat in the bustling and vibrant heart of the city of Genoa, perfect for unwinding.
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10. Hotel De Ville
The Place: A new and incredibly stylish boutique hotel with a prime location in the heart of the Porto Antico area, overlooking the sea. The hotel is known for its sophisticated, contemporary design that is inspired by the city’s maritime heritage. It offers a chic and comfortable base with a focus on personalized service and modern elegance.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s magnificent rooftop terrace, which offers beautiful, panoramic views of the historic port and the famous Lanterna lighthouse, is simply spectacular.
10. Hotel De Ville: A Room with a Port View
The Place: A new and incredibly stylish boutique hotel, the Hotel De Ville boasts a prime and highly sought-after location in the heart of the vibrant Porto Antico area, directly overlooking the sea and the marina. The hotel is known for its sophisticated, contemporary interior design that is beautifully and cleverly inspired by the city’s rich and deep maritime heritage. It offers a chic and comfortable base with a strong focus on personalized service and modern elegance.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s magnificent and stylish rooftop terrace is a true hidden gem. It offers beautiful, panoramic views of the historic port, the city, and the iconic and famous Lanterna lighthouse, making it a spectacular spot.
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Bonus: Grand Hotel Miramare, Santa Margherita Ligure
Located in the beautiful and glamorous nearby resort town of Santa Margherita Ligure, just a short train ride from Genoa, this magnificent Art Nouveau palace is a true icon of the Italian Riviera. The hotel is set within a beautiful park and offers breathtaking, panoramic sea views over the Gulf of Tigullio, providing the ultimate in classic, old-world seaside grandeur and sophistication.
Bonus: Grand Hotel Miramare, Santa Margherita Ligure: A Riviera Palace
The Place: Located in the beautiful, glamorous, and picturesque nearby resort town of Santa Margherita Ligure, just a short and incredibly scenic train ride away from Genoa, this magnificent Art Nouveau palace is a true and undisputed icon of the Italian Riviera. The hotel is beautifully set within a lush, subtropical park and offers breathtaking, panoramic sea views over the magnificent Gulf of Tigullio. It provides the ultimate in classic, old-world seaside grandeur and timeless sophistication.
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Expert’s Opinion: One to Choose?
Here’s our recommendation to help you choose the perfect luxury hotel in Genoa for your trip:
- For ultimate, historic grand hotel luxury: The magnificent Grand Hotel Savoia or the elegant Hotel Bristol Palace are the top choices.
- For a unique, historic palace stay: The magnificent Hotel Palazzo Grillo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an unforgettable experience.
- For a serene wellness retreat: The beautiful Meliá Genova with its magnificent indoor pool offers a true urban oasis.
- For a modern stay with the best port views: The spectacular NH Collection Genova Marina is in a class of its own.
Expert’s Opinion: One to Choose?
Here’s our recommendation to help you choose the perfect luxury hotel in Genoa for your trip:
- For ultimate, historic grand hotel luxury: The magnificent Grand Hotel Savoia with its spectacular rooftop or the architecturally stunning Hotel Bristol Palace are the top choices for a classic, opulent experience.
- For a unique, historic palace stay: The magnificent Hotel Palazzo Grillo, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site with original frescoes, is an absolutely unforgettable and unique cultural experience.
- For a serene wellness retreat: The beautiful and elegant Meliá Genova, with its magnificent and rare indoor swimming pool, offers a true and peaceful urban oasis away from the city’s bustle.
- For a modern stay with the best port views: The spectacular NH Collection Genova Marina, which is built on stilts over the water, is in a class of its own for a unique, contemporary stay.
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Travel Guides: Genoa, Italy
A stay at a luxury hotel is the perfect start to your Genoa adventure. To make the most of your trip, here is a travel guide that complements the article on luxury hotels in Genoa.
1. Best Time to Visit Genoa
- Spring (April-June) & Autumn (September-October): These are the absolute best times to visit Genoa. The weather is mild and pleasant, making it perfect for exploring the city’s fascinating and labyrinthine historic streets and for enjoying the beautiful coastline.
- Summer (July-August): This season can be hot and humid, but it’s a great time to enjoy the nearby beautiful beaches of the Italian Riviera and the city’s vibrant, seaside atmosphere.
- Winter (November-February): The weather is cooler and can be rainy, but you’ll experience the city with far fewer tourists, making it a great time to explore the magnificent palaces and museums in peace.
1. When to Go?
- Spring (April-June) & Autumn (September-October): These are the best times to visit, with mild, pleasant weather perfect for exploring the city’s labyrinthine streets.
- Summer (July-August): Can be hot and humid, but it’s a great time to enjoy the nearby beaches of the Italian Riviera.
2. Getting Around Genoa
- Walking: The vast and labyrinthine historic center of Genoa is a mostly pedestrianized area (‘caruggi’) and is best and most authentically explored on foot. Be prepared for narrow, winding alleyways.
- Funiculars and Lifts: A series of historic and convenient public funiculars and elevators are essential for navigating the city’s famously steep hills and for reaching some of the most spectacular panoramic viewpoints.
- Buses and Metro: An efficient public transport system is useful for traveling along the coast and for reaching sights outside the immediate city center.
2. Getting Around Genoa
- Walking: The vast historic center of Genoa is a pedestrianized labyrinth (‘caruggi’) and is best explored on foot.
- Funiculars and Lifts: A series of public funiculars and elevators are essential for navigating the city’s steep hills and reaching panoramic viewpoints.
3. Must-See Sights
- Palazzi dei Rolli: A magnificent series of Renaissance and Baroque palaces in the historic center, which are collectively a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Many are now museums or public offices.
- Porto Antico (Old Port): The beautifully redeveloped old port area, which was masterfully redesigned by the world-famous Genovese architect Renzo Piano. It is home to the magnificent and famous Aquarium of Genoa.
- Cattedrale di San Lorenzo: The magnificent black-and-white striped cathedral of Genoa, a true masterpiece of medieval architecture with a rich and fascinating history.
- Via Garibaldi: The spectacular and grand ‘Strada Nuova’ (New Street), which is lined with some of the most magnificent and opulent of the historic Rolli Palaces.
3. Must-See Sights
- Palazzi dei Rolli: A series of magnificent Renaissance and Baroque palaces in the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Porto Antico (Old Port): The beautifully redeveloped old port area, designed by Renzo Piano, with the famous Aquarium of Genoa.
- Cattedrale di San Lorenzo: The magnificent black-and-white striped cathedral of Genoa, a masterpiece of medieval architecture.
- Via Garibaldi: The spectacular ‘Strada Nuova’ (New Street), lined with magnificent and opulent historic palaces.
4. Unique Experiences
- Explore the ‘Caruggi’: Get lost in the vast and atmospheric labyrinth of narrow, medieval alleyways (‘caruggi’) that make up Europe’s largest and one of its most authentic historic centers.
- Eat Pesto in its Birthplace: You absolutely must try the authentic and delicious ‘pesto alla genovese’ in the very city where it was invented, traditionally served with ‘trenette’ or ‘trofie’ pasta.
- Take the Funicular to a Viewpoint: Ride the historic Zecca-Righi funicular railway up into the hills for breathtaking, panoramic views of the entire city, its bustling port, and the surrounding coastline.
- Day Trip to Portofino: Take a scenic and beautiful train and ferry ride from Genoa to the world-famous and incredibly picturesque fishing village of Portofino for an unforgettable day trip.
4. Unique Experiences
- Explore the ‘Caruggi’: Get lost in the labyrinth of narrow, medieval alleyways that make up Europe’s largest historic center.
- Eat Pesto in its Birthplace: You must try the authentic ‘pesto alla genovese’ in the city where it was invented.
- Take the Funicular to a Viewpoint: Ride the historic Zecca-Righi funicular for breathtaking, panoramic views of the entire city and its port.
- Day Trip to Portofino: Take a scenic train and ferry ride to the world-famous and incredibly picturesque fishing village of Portofino.
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