Mediterraneo Sorrento

Like its neighbors on the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento at its best is a destination that promises tranquil seclusion with a bit of drama — the cliffside setting of Sant’Agnello in particular makes for extraordinary views out to sea, as well as some memorably unusual topography. And the Hotel Mediterraneo Sorrento benefits from both — its terrace looks out across the Bay of Naples at the distant peak of Mt. Vesuvius.

This century-old structure has been a family-owned hotel for more than 60 years, and a thorough renovation preserves its historical character while preparing it for 21st-century guests. Its 61 rooms and suites are today decked out in a style that combines the finest elements of classic and modern design — elegant parquet floors, Deco-influenced details, and a tightly focused color scheme of blues and whites, echoing the panoramas outside.

There’s an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a garden and a citrus grove, as well as a small spa; an elevator connects guests with the beach club at the bottom of the cliff. A poolside lounge and a cocktail bar add to the atmosphere, and the most dramatic common spaces have to be the Vista Sky Bar and the sea-facing terrace of the Vesuvio Restaurant.