Travelers searching for an authentic experience in Italy will appreciate a stay at an albergo diffuso (also known as a scattered hotel or hotel diffuso).
As opposed to the design of a conventional hotel, these alberghi diffusi (the plural) are spread out over a defined geographic area, where guests live side-by-side with locals. More often than not, the units are located in restored properties that once were abandoned.
This unique approach to hospitality is offered in many regions across Italy. Moreover, it is one that is growing in popularity because of the benefits it confers to guests, owners, and communities.
Italy has twenty different regions, each with its own history, geography, traditions, foods, and culture so the properties vary widely. Some are comprised of a series of rooms; others are sets of entire apartments or homes; the style, decor and amenities range from modest to luxury.
At each property, guests enjoy a set of common services provided by the owner, thus, the feeling is more personal. These usually include: centralized booking and reception, a designated breakfast area with local offerings, housekeeping services, and assistance in accessing local services (e.g. restaurants, tourist attractions, transportation, etc.)
Read my article entitled, Hotel Diffuso: A Sustainable Approach to Hotel Design to learn more about the history of these units and the benefits they offer to owners and guests.
If you are planning a trip to Italy, we highly recommend that you consider a stay at one of these properties. The pricing at these virtual hotels is generally more reasonable than at other traditional hotels.
One of our most memorable trips was to Locorotondo, where we stayed at Soto Le Cummerse (listed below). We lived in an apartment in the middle of the historic center and greeted our neighbor who was sweeping her steps each morning when we went to the breakfast room a few yards away. (It was the place where we first tasted and fell in love with stracciatella cheese, a food specialty of Puglia.) We got to know the rhythms of the town and explored every nook and corner.
The list below isn’t exhaustive. It’s organized by region, with links to additional information concerning ratings and reviews. We’ve included maps so you can decide whether you want to stay in a village, in the mountains, or close to a larger town or city.
We will try to add additional properties to the list over time.
This post may contain affiliate links. This means that I may receive compensation if you click a link, at no additional cost to you. For more information, please read my privacy and disclosure policies at the end of this page.
LIST OF ALBERGHI DIFFUSI, ORGANIZED BY REGION
Alberghi Diffusi in Abruzzo
Sextantio Santo Stefano
Located in Santo Stefano, a medieval hill town in the region of Abruzzo
For information, reviews and reservations
Alberghi Diffusi in Basilicata
Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
Located in the city of Matera, which is also the capital of the province in Basilicata
For information, reviews and reservations
Alberghi Diffusi in Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Albergo Diffuso Altopiano di Lauco
Mountain hotel, located in the comune of Lauco in the province of Udine in Friuli-Venezian Giulia
For information, reviews and reservations
Albergo Diffuso Zoncolan
Located in the comune of Ovaro in the province of Udine in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region
For information, reviews and reservations
Albergo Diffuso Valli del Natisone
Located in Grimacco, a commune in the province of Udine in Friuli-Venezia Giulia
For information, reviews and reservations
Alberghi Diffusi in Lazio
Locanda Specchio di Diana
Located in a regional park in Nemi, in the metropolitan city of Rome in the province of Lazio
For information, reviews and reservations
Albergo Diffuso Crispolti
Located in the commune of Rieti in the province of Lazio in the Latium region
For information, reviews and reservations
Alberghi Diffusi in Liguria
Monte e Cara Albergo Diffuso
Located in the comune of Apricale, in the province of Imperia in Liguria
For information, reviews and reservations
Alberghi Diffusi in Marche
Albergo Diffuso Borgo Montemaggiore
Located in the very small frazione in the commune of Colli al Metauro in Marche
For information, reviews and reservations
Alberghi Diffusi in Puglia
Albergo Diffuso Il Casale
Located in the town of Ginosa, in the province of Taranto in Puglia
For information, reviews and reservations
Albergo Diffuso Monopoli
Located in Monopoli, a town on the Adriatic Sea in Puglia
For information, reviews and reservations
Centro Storico Hotel Diffuso
Located in the historic center of Gallipoli, a coastal town in Puglia.
For information, reviews and reservations
Albergo Diffuso Soto Le Cummerse
Located in Locorotondo, a town in the municipality of Bari in Puglia
For information, reviews and reservations
Trullidea Puglia
Located in Alberobello (the town of Trulli) in the metropolitan area of Bari in Puglia
For information, reviews and reservations
Alberghi Diffusi in Sardinia
Albergo Diffuso Mannois
Located in the commune of Orosei, in the province of Nuoro on the east coast of the region of Sardinia.
For information, reviews and reservations
Alberghi Diffusi in Sicily
Scicli Albergo Diffuso
(credit: Hotels.com)
