Grand Hotel Ambasciatori

It says something about the absurdly high standards of Italy as a travel destination that Sorrento is often in danger of being somewhat overlooked. But with the Amalfi Coast just around the corner, and Capri just a hydrofoil hop away, that’s exactly what it is. Which is insane, because a view over the Bay of Naples is something extraordinary, any way you slice it — just ask anyone who’s seen the Grand Hotel Ambasciatori (to pick a convenient enough example).

These days Italian design means influences stretching all the way back to the Roman empire coexist gracefully with contemporary color schemes and eye-catching modern furniture. At any rate, that’s what it means here. The better rooms are the ones with the sea views, naturally, though there’s not a bad room in the place — and the suites, which themselves range quite widely in size, are little short of extraordinary.

Two restaurants present indoor and outdoor options, and it’s worth angling for a view of Vesuvius from the terrace. There’s also a private beach, which is never a bad thing, and a swimming pool as well, for freshwater types. And it’s worth pointing out that you’re still day-trip distance from Naples, Capri and the Amalfi Coast proper, in case you want to see what the fuss is about.