The best hotels in Sorrento

When it comes to location, this boutique hotel really delivers. Located right inside the Punta Campanella marine reserve, visitors are treated to stunning views of Capri, Ischia, Procida and Vesuvius. Room interiors embrace a minimalist, marine-influenced aesthetic, combining cool expanses of white with bold flashes of Mediterranean turquoise. You’ll also find a chic mix of contemporary and retro furnishings, plus a fine-dining restaurant under the leadership of chef Roberto Allocca. There is a modestly sized infinity pool and modern spa on-site, but for beach-lovers, the Marina Cantone beach is only a short taxi ride away. Hire a boat or simply enjoy a relaxing walk to the delightful La Conca del Sogno restaurant in Recommone.

The grandest of Sorrento’s grand hotels is set in five acres of orange and lemon groves, giving it a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere despite its central location. Spacious elegant rooms have period furniture, the occasional frescoed ceiling and 19th-century antiques, and all have terraces overlooking the sea or gardens. A holistic centre is set in the hotel’s renovated 19th-century greenhouse, and there’s Michelin-starred dining to be enjoyed at the Terrazza Bosquet restaurant, which has spectacular views over the Bay of Naples.

Once the residence of the Savarese family, this 15th-century building has been sensitively converted into an intimate luxury hotel while maintaining plenty of the original Catalan-Durazzo architectural features in the public areas. The hotel, overlooking the gardens of Piazza San Francesco and not far from the 14th-century San Francesco cloister and Villa Comunale, is located nearby an abundance of shops and restaurants. Rooms are more contemporary, and the Marziale Suite has its own interior garden patio. Two restaurants both serve traditional Italian cuisine with a modern twist.

From the outside, the Magi House Relais is an 18^th-century feast for the eyes. Step inside, however, and you’re catapulted (in the nicest way possible) forwards into the here-and-now. The name of the game here is ‘sleek’ with everything beautifully and cooly designed. A major highlight is the breakfast served each day on the rooftop terrace. Take your time enjoying fresh pastries and coffee with a side order of Mount Vesuvius views in the hot months of the year, then head out to the harbour (only ten minutes away) and catch a boat to Capri for a decadent day trip.

A short stroll from Sorrento’s centre, La Minervetta has a spectacular position overlooking the Marina Grande, and it’s easily one of the most stylish places to stay on the Sorrentine coast. Run by Marco, an interior designer, and his wife Eugenia, it’s brimming with character. Each room is individually styled in bold colours, with a nautical theme, plus books, boats, and other ephemera collected over the years. A dining area serves excellent breakfasts, and beyond it lies a lounge area and sun terrace. Another terrace with a small (unheated) pool has private steps down to Marina Grande.

Another gorgeous hotel, the four-star Grand Hotel Aminta has retained its 1960s styling in the common areas, including a wonderful curved central staircase, wide windows, and tiled flooring. It might be a little way out of Sorrento (there's a shuttle bus), perched on a hillside, but the hotel has great views of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius. There is an on-site restaurant and bar, and the terraces are lovely for lunch, dinner and cocktails. Around the fabulous heated pool, there is summer entertainment, and plenty of excursions are available.

There are few better views of the sea and Vesuvius than from the terraces of this four-star grand hotel. Public frescoed areas are furnished with oriental carpets, majolica tiles and antique paintings, while elegant rooms have views of the sea or the beautiful Mediterranean gardens. There’s a pool, access to the beach via a lift, and the kitchen is under the supervision of Alfonso Iaccarino, of two-Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890 fame. There is even a chapel, a frescoed jewel that dates back to 1500 and was completely restored in 1890.

A mile from the centre of Sorrento, this wonderful Modernist creation, set within a park, was dreamt up by Giò Ponti. One of Italy's most important architects, Ponti designed the 'Superleggera' (a 'super-light' chair that a child could pick up) and the iconic Pirelli building in Milan, and here at Parco, he created everything from the furniture to the floor tiles, which are all set differently to create unique designs in each room. A wonderfully fresh palette of blue and white extends throughout, from the simple rooms to the restaurant and the lovely seawater pool.

Slap-bang in the centre of Sorrento, Jannuzzi is a family-run boutique B&B that was designed by local architect/designer Marco de Luca (of La Minervetta fame). With a dazzling palette of yellow, white and black, rooms are stylish and spacious, some with terraces, and there’s an apartment complete with its own terrace, kitchen and, er, exercise bike. Breakfasts, including freshly baked pastries, are something else. The location is perfect for local shopping, restaurants and bars, and it’s a short walk to the port for boat trips.

A traditional hotel in the heart of Sorrento town centre, Antiche Mura is situated beside the ancient walls that once protected the city from would-be attackers. Rooms have hand-painted tiled floors and marble bathrooms. Breakfasts are legendary, with a staggering array of pastries and cakes served in a striking Art Nouveau-style dining room. During the summer, simple food is served around the outdoor pool, set within a gorgeous citrus grove garden. Half board is available using an off-site restaurant located in the main square in front of the hotel.