Italy: The Out Of Office Collection

If you’re looking for something very grand, then Villa Cora in Florence could be the solution. This is a very ornate property. It’s so luxury it kind of goes beyond luxury – this is how Marie Antoinette would have lived if she’d had the budget.

Villa Cora overlooks the Boboli Gardens on the hills just outside the historic centre of Florence. It was an aristocratic house commissioned by Baron Oppenheim in the 1860s. Villa Cora is dizzying a mishmash of different styles. It has hosted major historic figures, including Napoleon’s wife and the composer Tchaikovsky. Villa Cora was established as a Grand Hotel in the 1960s. It’s very popular for weddings – grand weddings! Today it’s widely considered to be one of the finest buildings in Florence and one of the world’s leading independent luxury hotels. The hotel is surrounded by rose gardens. Inside you’ll find trompe l’oeil frescoes, crystal chandeliers and parquet floors.
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If you’re on a leisure or pleasure trip to Milan, Mandarin Oriental is a great choice. It’s one of the most recent additions to Milan’s luxury hotel scene. Combining Milanese design with Oriental luxury, the Mandarin Oriental offers a luxurious 5-star stay in Milan, the fashion capital of the world. Boasting famous fans, from Dame Helen Mirren to Christian Louboutin, the unrivalled reputation the Mandarin Oriental has for service and attention to detail will have you feeling at home in no time.

You can indulge in the soothing spa treatments that specialise in both Eastern and Western therapies, or even enjoy a two-Michelin starred meal in the hotel’s restaurant. Surrounded by 1940s Milanese interior décor, it’s hard not to fall for the glamour of the Mandarin Oriental.
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Matera is one of Italy’s hidden gems. It’s one of the most ancient cities in the world. Biblical films are often filmed in Matera – it’s the closes you’ll get to what a city looked like two thousands years ago. That being said, it’s very stylish and packed with nice restaurants. Palazzo Gattini is located in Matera’s most exclusive district, perched over the city in the shadow of the cathedral. It’s where the aristocracy built their homes during the Renaissance. You’ll be greeted with panoramic views of the Sassi cave dwellings down below. The caves of this ancient city have been inhabited since the Stone Age.
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Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel is the last word in luxury in Venice. Perched on Giudecca island overlooking the lagoon, you’re just around the corner from Piazza San Marco. The hotel was founded by Giuseppe Ciprian in 1958. He also founded Harry’s Bar. Dine at the hotel’s Michelin-starred Oro restaurant. All the rooms and suites embody the best of classic Venetian design. You’ll have views of either the lagoon or the manicured garden. The Olympic-sized pool is one of the only swimming pools in Venice. It’s mandatory to have a Bellini on the terrace as you gaze over Piazza San Marco.

This is the place to be if you’re staying around Lake Como. It’s a 19th-century villa once inhabited by a grand opera diva with an unimprovable name, Giuditta (“Judith”) Pasta. Ms Pasta was clearly a lady of considerable refinement. When it emerged as a hotel it was called CastaDiva Resort, but the property really came to life when it was taken over by Mandarin Oriental.

The decor is chic and contemporary. The wallpaper is even handmade. Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como is also frequented by Hollywood royalty and it has the price tag to match. This is a great choice if you’re looking for something romantic and luxurious on a very special occasion. The hotel is located close to the village of Blevio.