Italy has so many beautiful, and historically and artistically important cities, that Turin has somehow garnered a reputation as a bit grim and industrial — but “Undeserved!” call our Gurus, waving dramatically towards the green and graceful boulevards lined with Art Nouveau cafes and Baroque palazzos — some of which they now also recommend as the best places to stay in Turin. If you’ve discounted Turin in the past, now is the time to consider its grande dame hotels, fashionable city break apartments, elegant palazzo conversions. and contemporary art hotels. Our Gurus also have a few recommendations outside the centre of town, if you’re looking for a base for exploring the whole of the Piedmont region.

Don’t be ashamed if your main cultural references to Turin come from the film The Italian Job. There’s plenty of truth to it: Turin is the home of Fiat, and for years they did actually test their zippy little numbers on a rooftop track atop their architectural landmark of a factory! Turin is a city rich in architectural variety arranged along a series of squares and boulevards; and Turin does have a daily food market which brims with truffles, cheeses, porcini, prosciutto, salami, bread, and hard chocolate — Turin was the first place to produce saleable hard chocolate. So it’s definitely one for the foodies. Piedmont has more than 50 Michelin-starred restaurants, and you’ll find plenty of great places to eat the local cuisine, including in the restaurants of our recommendations for the best places to stay in Turin.

Some of the things The Italian Job doesn’t show are the questionable Holy Shroud, the Automobile Museum, the Egyptian Museum, the Museum of Cinema, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. And it only offers fleeting shots of the Piazza San Carlo, Basilica di Superga, Palazzo Reale and Piazza Carignano. Turin is also something of a centre for Italian fashion and design, and we definitely recommend the best places to stay in Turin to hip city breakers looking for fresh pastures.

The Best Places to Stay in Turin

Turin’s Grand Dame Hotels

• Many distinguished guests have stayed at the Grand Hotel Sitea since it opened in 1925, and it’s still a Turin institution, conveniently located behind the Piazza San Carlo. This is the kind of landmark hotel offering afternoon tea in a ballroom, and where non-residents meet up in the American Bar for cocktails. Among the 120 rooms and suites are some quite simple, standard hotel rooms, and some pretty flashy suites, and plenty in between too, including excellent family-sized options. The restaurant is known for its Piedmont classics.

For City Style

• The NH Collection Piazza Carlina is a large and elegant, contemporary hotel in central Turin. Its exterior dates from the 17th century, but its 160 rooms and suites have been decorated with contemporary minimalism and luxury. Our Gurus can’t commend its two roof terraces enough, green spaces with rooftop views, and the location is ideal for exploring the city. Plus the hotel has all the facilities you’d expect from a city centre property of this size.
• Townhouse 70 is a surprisingly intimate townhouse hotel in the centre of Turin, close to the Piazza Castello. Its classical facade hides a much more contemporary interior, with a minimalist aesthetic across the 48 rooms and suites. Enjoy drinks in the courtyard, and breakfast is served at a communal table. There’s no restaurant, but they do offer snacks, and light, homemade dishes on request.

For Romantics

• The Palazzo del Carretto is a nice example of how to turn one of Turin’s grand palazzos into a suite and apartment hotel. It’s not easy to get the scale right when dividing up the vast rooms of these gorgeous old buildings, but those behind the Palazzo del Carretto’s refurb have made smart choices, and the resultant accommodations are spacious, but not barn-like, and make wonderful use of the original parquet flooring, gilt details and frescoes, with contemporary art that brings it all together. Expect luxury, and you might even get romance!
• The Hotel Victoria has been converted from a large, and rather fabulous mansion in a quiet residential part of Turin. The hotel has more than a hundred rooms and suites and many of them have fireplaces, double-height ceilings, huge windows and four-poster beds. The decor is very romantic, with a guests-of-royalty feel. The pool and spa feel luxurious, complete with elegant pillars and star-painted ceilings, and the hotel is surrounded by lush gardens.

For Families

• The Piazza Vittorio Suites is a collection of 13 suites and apartments, located right on the Piazza Vittorio, which is pretty much the very centre of Turin. Each of the apartments is well designed to make the most of the building’s original features, and guests can expect clever mezzanine levels atop original ceiling beams, offering plenty of living space, as well as kitchens, and multiple bedrooms if you need them. Great value, spacious, and super convenient for exploring Turin. 
• Le Serre Suites & Apartments has been created from an attractive, 19th century built farm estate, and is now a collection of 15 suites and apartments, arranged around a central courtyard with rustic views. Inside the accommodation is comfortable and spacious, with simple, rustic detail and nicely chosen antiques. They offer a good breakfast, and wine tastings from their impressive cellar. And there’s a spa. And you’re just ten minutes outside of Turin.

Best B&Bs

• Cascina San Vito is a charmingly converted estate in the hills ringing Turin, with just six rooms and suites, and lots of outdoor space. Peaceful and relaxed, the B&B offers a bit of an escape from the city, with great walking routes, a cooking school and a sunny garden. The decor is stylish, but with rustic original features. Bring your pet and family, and see the slights at a more leisurely pace.

For An Apartment Or villa

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Turin Airport is about 15 minutes outside of the centre of town by taxi, or about 40 minutes on the bus. It might also be useful to know that Milan’s Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate airports are also about an hour and a half away by car, or two hours on the bus. Turin is also easy to get to by train.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• For some, Turin is a harvest city, great with its autumn colour scheme, and brimming with a cornucopia of truffles, hazelnuts, grapes, pumpkins and chestnuts. This is also a great time for concerts, festivals and exhibitions. Turin’s cultural calendar is busy in spring too, and it’s beautiful — though it can be rainy. Easter and Christmas are always wonderful celebrations in Italy, and Turin lights up beautifully for both. Come winter Turin is close enough to the alps and the Aosta Valley to keep busy. Summer is relaxed and humid, with the occasional dramatic thunderstorm.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Piedmont
• Or expand a little further to include the best places to stay in Asti with its sparkling wine and historic architecture, Alba, with its white truffles, or Lake Maggiore, with its exotic plants
• Or refine your search by the kind of holiday you’re planning, and focus on the best wine hotels in Piedmont
• Or, if you want to ski try Sestriere or head just outside of Piedmont and consider the best ski resorts in the Aosta Valley
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.