Capo La Gala Hotel & Spa

In the mad rush from Naples to Capri or the far side of the Sorrentine Peninsula it’s too easy to breeze right past Sorrento itself; a shame, for while not technically on the Amalfi Coast this side of the Bay of Naples is blessed with some extraordinary spots, the village of Vico Equense among them. It scarcely gets more picturesque than this gorgeously weathered seaside village, though the Hotel Capo La Gala, just on its fringes, gives it a run for its money.

A beachside getaway is not in the cards — the coast here is rugged and rocky, which adds to the seascape’s sublime aspect, and keeps things a little less casual, as it’s easier to be elegant in closed-toe shoes. The hotel’s interiors inspire some elegance as well — the look is contemporary, with a pronounced marine influence, and while eclectic details abound, the overall impression is crisp and tightly buttoned.

The rooms themselves present an urbane face, and while they’re not over-large they are quite large enough, and open to the sea air — the Bay of Naples is never far away, especially if your room comes with a private terrace. A spa helps provide the aquatic therapy that you would have found at the beach, and the restaurant, with its open-air dining room overlooking the sea, is a forceful reminder that Campanian cuisine is among Italy’s finest — obviously, given the competition, no faint praise.

Please note: Capo La Gala Hotel & Spa is open seasonally, April through October. Minimum night stay requirements in the month of August.

How to get there: Capo La Gala is approximately 50 minutes by car or train from Naples. Vico Equense Train Station is less than one mile from the hotel.