The 18 Best Hotels In Italy According To The 2024 DUCO Awards

23.02.2024 - 12:11 / forbes.com

When celebrating some of the best hotels in Italy, DUCO selects their annual winners as part of their highly curated initiative to showcase the best of the country. Unlike most prestigious travel events that focus on the global travel industry, DUCO is dedicated to promoting Italy as a single destination. Its primary objective is to bring the world to Italy and provide an extraordinary experience of Italian hospitality. DUCO's focus is on the destination itself, providing an immersive experience of Italy and serving as an important reference point for the high-end travel community.

DUCO arises from founder Carolina Perez's profound love for Italy and desire to pay homage to its remarkable heritage and allure. "In creating DUCO, I wanted to offer an immersion in the country, to get to the heart of the nation," she says. "We become masters when we become specialists – when we profoundly explore and develop a single skill, a single idea, a single inspiration. That is our strength."

The latest in a long line of adventurous women, Brazilian-born Perez says travel is in her blood. "My mother Teresa got her appetite for travel from her grandmother," she said. "And I recall as a young girl flipping through the pages of my grandfather's National Geographic collection, roadmaps for his own voyages, dreaming of all the faraway places I wished to one day visit.

Her familial ties created a lifelong passion for exploration. "The idea for DUCO crystallized during a transformative moment—a summer evening spent enraptured by Verdi's Nabucco at the Verona Arena, where the call of my ancestors' land beckoned me home," adds Perez. "Inspired by this rich tapestry of personal history and cultural connection, DUCO emerged as a tribute to Italy's enduring charm and hospitality."

Looking ahead, Perez anticipates several shifts in Italy's hospitality sector. "There will likely be a greater emphasis on sustainability, authenticity, and meaningful experiences as travelers seek deeper connections with the places they visit," she says. "Additionally, I envision a more collaborative approach between public institutions and the private sector to promote Italy's unique offerings and support the growth of the tourism industry. With a renewed focus on quality over quantity, Italy is poised to welcome travelers with open arms, offering unforgettable experiences that showcase the country's rich history, culture, and natural beauty."

Award winners will be announced in Milan in March at the Annual Travel Summit representing the best hotels & experiences. Here are the nominations for Greatest Italian Hotels with over 50 rooms and Most Charming Hotels in Italy with under 50 rooms.

Owner and Managing Director Aldo Melpignano oversees Borgo