Along the north coast of Sicily, a couple of hours from Palermo airport, is a perfect little art hotel on its own tiny stretch of beach. Atelier sul Mare may not be as glitzy as some on the list, but it's affordable (around £80 a night in low season), and the art rooms are innovative and exciting (such as the hammam room pictured, which comes with its own spa bath). There's also an art gallery and dozens of sculptures dotted around the hotel to explore.