Hotel Poseidon

This four-story hotel is tucked into the cliffs, with spectacular terraced gardens and a pool with a view of the turquoise sea and sky. The property was originally built in 1951 as the summer residence of the Aonzo family. Within a few years they decided to capitalize on Positano's burgeoning appeal to the jet set, so they expanded the Mediterranean villa overlooking the bay, transforming it into a hotel. The Aonzos own and operate the hotel to this day, and it retains an intimate, personal, and non-commercial feel.

Hotel Poseidon is centrally located, within 15 minutes' walking distance of Fornillo Beach and the shops, bakeries, bars, and restaurants of Positano. Positano is a picturesque village on the Amalfi Coast and has been a holiday destination since the Roman Empire, hitting its peak popularity in the 1960s and '70s when the jet set landed. You don't come to see the sights; this vertical town is the sight, with beguiling views and beaches leading out to crystal clear water. Be ready to do lots of vigorous walking here; there is only a single, one-way road through Positano. Most of the travel through the town is done via steep steps and pedestrian alleys.

Each of the 48 rooms at Hotel Poseidon is different, and all rooms vary in size and decor. They range in size from spacious standards to expansive, and sometimes multi-leveled, suites. Maiolica tiled floors, wood accents, and vintage furniture—some of which comes from the owners' private collection—provide warmth to the white-walled, airy rooms. They're a bit basic and certainly not modern, but have a quaint charm. All rooms have balconies or terraces with panoramic views of the hotel's lush gardens, the town of Positano, or the striking Amalfi Coast. The higher the floor, the better the view, and the "Funny Rooms" on the top floor have rooftop terraces. All rooms have air-conditioning and come with hairdryers, minibars, safes, satellite TV, and direct phone lines.

The spectacular views from the terraces are what makes Hotel Poseidon particularly remarkable. The bar overlooks the pool, which in turn overlooks the bay. The Poseidon's restaurant, which spills out onto the bougainvillea-filled terrace, features local fish, vegetables, and handmade pasta. The on-site spa offers beauty treatments and massages and has a Turkish bath dug into the rock of the cliff. Owners Monica and Marco Aonzo are avid car collectors and rotate pieces from their collection to display at the hotel. For those who would rather drive than ogle, the Aonzos keep a vintage VW Beetle convertible on the property that guests can take out for spins along the coast.