Casa Albertina

The 20-room Casa Albertina dates back to the late 18th century, when it was rented intermittently by a famous Italian playwright. Now, the three-pearl property is a family-run hotel, though it's still easy to detect the hotel's previous life when gazing at the paintings and dining area's fireplace. The lobby too features gorgeous tile, doors, and stone archways -- elements that overwhelm (in the best way) the old-fashioned furniture.

The hands-on management of the Cinque family gives the property more of a relaxed bed-and-breakfast vibe than a standard hotel. It's not suitable for those who have mobility issues or for the party crowd, however, couples and quieter groups looking for a relaxing vacation with breathtaking views at every turn will find that here. 

Located off a pleasantly bustling, narrow street typical of Italian coastal villages and up several stairs, Casa Albertina is close to the heart of Positano. A few shops geared to tourists, as well as a small grocery, are immediately outside the door (think sandals, wine, tote bags). A highly regarded restaurant, Da Vincenzo, is also a two-minute walk from the front doors, and many more are within walking distance. Meanwhile, the town's main public beach, Spiaggia Grande, is about an eight-minute walk away, with the ferry terminal right there to take visitors to Sorrento, Amalfi, Capri, and other popular destinations. 

However, expect plenty of stairs connecting the different parts of town, which are, after all, part of the charm of a hillside village. It's close to 400 in total down to the beach and around 60 alone from the main road up to the hotel. Those with reduced mobility might find themselves quite limited.  

Some might say the rooms are dated -- think dusty-rose or sky-blue upholstery and bedding, matching tile flooring, and pale peach walls. But this is common decor for coastal Italian villages and it's hard to think that the decor is anything other than part of its charm. The rooms are adequately sized and clean with turndown service every night. All rooms have furnished terraces with glorious views out over the bay. Bathrooms have the same color scheme as the bedrooms, many with hand-painted tile accents. Standard Rooms come with small stall showers, while Superior Rooms have shower/tub combos. They all offer plenty of counter space, heated towel racks, and hairdryers, broader-than-expected selection of toiletries, and robes. Air-conditioning, minibars, flat-screen satellite TVs, free Wi-Fi, and free in-room safes are also provided. 

There's no pool or gym here, but the rooftop solarium is something special: Plenty of loungers are set overlooking the bay's cliffs and shining blue Mediterranean sea. A free continental breakfast is available to guests, though they can also request a cooked one; it's generally quite good and has lots of choice. The outdoor breakfast terrace has wrought-iron seating and marvelous vistas over the bay; inside, several two- and four-top tables are clustered in front of a gorgeous stone fireplace. There's no on-site dining past breakfast, but there are plenty of restaurants close by.