Hotel Villa Gabrisa

With only 12 rooms, Hotel Villa Gabrisa is an intimate property where guests have the chance to mingle and get local tips and recommendations first-hand from the owners, a husband-wife and son-daughter team. This charming three-story villa of balconies and pergola-covered terraces has fabulous views from its cliffside location. The arched doorways, terra-cotta floors, and many plants give the villa a Mediterranean charm, while the Murano crystal chandeliers, Capodimonte porcelain, and antique-style furniture add touches of elegance. Not surprisingly, the Hotel Villa Gabrisa’s romantic atmosphere attracts a majority of couples among its guests, and rooms are often booked far in advance.

Hotel Villa Gabrisa is located on a narrow, busy main street in the center of the town of Positano. There are several shops and restaurants in the neighborhood, and it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach via a walking path with many stairs to negotiate. Another way to get around for those who find so many stairs a challenge is to take the local bus; the bus stop is just steps away from the villa, less than a one-minute walk. The nearest railway station is located in Sorrento, a 32-minute drive away; while the closest airport is Naples International Airport, a 73-minute drive from here. Other popular tourist destinations include Pompei, a 56-minute drive away; Amalfi, which is reached in 42 minutes by car; and Ravello, which is a one-hour drive away. A drive to Naples takes 77 minutes, and Rome can be reached in three hours and 15 minutes by car.

The rooms at Hotel Villa Gabrisa vary widely in size. Comfort Rooms are situated on the top floor and are quite cramped, at 162 square feet, while roomy Suites offer more space, topping out at 754 square feet. Decorated in a romantic style -- with antique-style furniture, crystal chandeliers, and gilded mirrors and furniture -- the decor may be too ornate and old-fashioned for some tastes. There are a few minor signs of wear and tear in some rooms, like scratched furniture, and some basic rooms still have dated patterned bedspreads. The bathrooms are tiled in bright complementary colors, and feature bidets, shower stalls, or shower/tub combos (some with rainfall showerheads), hairdryers, and L'Occitane toiletries. Some of the Elegant Suites on the second floor, like Enea and Venere, have whirlpool bathtubs set into a niche adjacent to the bedroom. Each room has a balcony or a terrace with beautiful views over the sea and the cliffs of Positano. There are patio tables and chairs on the balconies, while the terraces have space for sun loungers. All the rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with Sky TV connections, free Wi-Fi, stocked minibars, electric kettles with tea and coffee packets, and safes.

A buffet breakfast included in the room rate is served each morning in the restaurant area. The restaurant also serves a variety of local dishes for lunch and dinner, but it's only open from April to October. Guests can dine alfresco on the restaurant terrace located across the road which has panoramic views of the sea and cliffs. A bar is adjacent to the restaurant and is open throughout the year, as is the wine shop next door. There’s a free Wi-Fi connection throughout the property, and luggage storage and concierge services are also available. Other services on offer to guests for an extra fee include room service, laundry, scooter rentals (in summer only), airport and train station transfer, limousine service, and parking.