Hotel Santa Lucia

The Hotel Santa Lucia is right on the main road that runs along the Amalfi coast, making it about as urban as hotels come in the area, complete with traffic noise, but travelers who prefer to avoid the steep climbs and isolated hilltop properties might not mind the trade-off. The three-story building also has an elevator, making it more convenient for older couples, who make up a large part of the clientele. It has a classic style throughout, filled with a mix of antiques and antique-looking furnishings. Apart from the front desk with a blue and white relief depicting a pair of mermaids embracing the family crest, the small lobby is decorated not unlike a traditional living room, with crystal chandeliers, medallion-backed chairs, and Oriental rugs. A civilized game of chess awaits in the parlor-like lounge, and there's a covered outdoor patio through the back door. 

Hotel Santa Lucia is in a residential area in central Minori between a public parking lot and the remnants of an ancient Roman Villa, with an attached museum. Unlike other hotels that are perched in the hillside, this property is on level ground and therefore it's easy to walk to attractions, including the beach. A 10-minute stroll takes guests to a small stretch of black sand and pebbles that can get crowded quickly. There are some restaurants, bars, and shops nearby, and this is one of the more vibrant of the smaller villages along the coast, though certainly not as bustling as larger towns like Positano (about a 50-minute drive away). Expect a 20-minute drive into nearby Amalfi, where the narrow roads and tour buses contribute to slow traffic. It's possible to walk to Ravello, but the 35-minute walk may be a little tough for some, especially during the summer months. There is a bus stop a short walk from the hotel, which allows for easy access to nearby towns along the coast and in the mountains. The historic town of Pompeii is a 55-minute drive from the hotel, and the airport is about 75 minutes away.  

The hotel has 25 rooms, classically decorated with colorful and sometimes ornate floor tiles, paired with matching fabrics in shades that vary from minty green to pale blue or peach. Standard Rooms are on the small side, furnished with tiny built-in desks and little else beside wardrobe closets and luggage racks. The Superior and Deluxe Rooms are larger and add sitting areas with chaise lounges or couches and tables. Standard amenities include small flat-screen TVs and minibars, but there are no coffeemakers and Wi-Fi is an extra fee. Many rooms face the quieter back side of the hotel, and all but five of the rooms have small furnished balconies. The colorfully tiled bathrooms have heated towel racks, bidets, and either shower stalls or shower/tub combos. 

Though it's missing a pool, this family-run property offers a fair amount of features for a hotel of its stature. The hotel's restaurant serves traditional Amalfi Coast cuisine, focused on local seafood paired with regional wines. There's a large indoor dining room and an outdoor terrace with wrought-iron railings and arches overlooking the street. A free continental breakfast buffet is included in room rates. The small lobby bar doesn't look like much, but in addition to the standing room-only cocktails and espresso-machine counter, the hotel has a couple of outdoor tables with umbrellas just off the street on both sides of the front entrance, as well as a covered patio around the corner. Wi-Fi costs an additional fee, but parking is free.