Hotel Buca di Bacco

The beachfront Hotel Buca di Bacco occupies a historic building with a cream-colored facade accented by terraces, balconies, arches, and a rising dome. Extremely popular in the 1950s, the hotel has been host to John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Grace Kelly, among other celebrities. The property itself is made up of three buildings, all interconnected via corridors and elevators. Its decor is classically elegant with Mediterranean touches, and though some of it can feel like it's stuck in the 1950s, it's all well-maintained and tasteful. The lobby features beautifully painted terra-cotta tiles in yellow and green and fresh white walls. A rich wood reception desk sits under an archway, while another archway presents a sitting room with vintage blue armchairs and ornate golden mirrors. The hotel features a plethora of common areas, including a restaurant, bar, and an outdoor terrace with an exceptional sea view.

The Hotel Buca di Bacco is scenically located directly along the bustling Spiaggia Grande (Big Beach) in Positano. While many hotels are nestled uphill, this property's beachfront location means there's no schlepp down a steep hill to get to the water, though guests will have an uphill climb for shopping and eating. The area is pedestrian-only, so cars must be left at one of the parking areas at the top of the hill, about a 10-minute walk from the property. A porter service can carry luggage to and from guests' drop-off point for an extra fee. A seasonal ferry also runs from the beachfront, and it's only a two-minute walk from the hotel. The Naples International Airport is an hour and 15 minutes away by car, while the town of Sorrento is a 40-minute drive and Pompeii can be reached in an hour.

Rooms at the Hotel Buca di Bacco are individually decorated, so styles and colors vary, though guests can expect classic, elegant decor with Mediterranean accents -- think hand-painted Vietri floor tiles, chandelier lighting, wood furniture, and upholstered headboards with scalloped edges. Some rooms veer to wilder extremes -- a canopy topped with a golden crown or a bright yellow armchair with a bright pink pillow -- and decor can feel somewhat dated, but it's all clean and well-maintained. Most rooms have partial or full views of the sea or village -- guests particularly rave about sea view rooms, especially those with private balconies or terraces. Bathrooms tend to be white and beige with decorative tile accents and showers or shower/tub combos along with vanity mirrors, hairdryers, and free toiletries. All rooms have air-conditioning, minibars, safes, flat-screen Sky TVs with over 250 channels, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms are well soundproofed from exterior noise, though guests occasionally note noise from neighboring rooms or hallways. There are no irons in the room, but there is a separate ironing room on the fourth floor.

Hotel Buca di Bacco has a few stellar features, but it misses some of the expected amenities for a four-pearl hotel in Positano. The hotel does not have a spa, fitness center, or -- most notably -- a pool. But it is right outside a lovely public beach, and beach towels are provided. The property also has a popular beachfront restaurant that offers alfresco dining on a pretty terrace overlooking the sea. A free continental breakfast is served daily and includes excellent fresh-squeezed orange juice, in addition to standard fare. The hotel bar has its own sitting area, while other sitting areas are available in the lobby and on an outdoor terrace with beautiful sea views. The property offers its own cooking classes, which specialize in regional cuisine. Other features include porter service, room service, laundry service, and airport transfers. Guests can book excursions, cars, boats, and scooters directly through the hotel. Wi-Fi is free throughout.