Villa Romana Hotel & Spa

Villa Romana stands out among the neighboring residential buildings for its bright white facade featuring large arched windows, wooden shutters, and a few wrought-iron balconies on the first floor. Interiors are simple but charming, with fresh all-white decor and a serene, friendly atmosphere. Terra-cotta floors and painted tiles depicting scenes from the the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii lend common spaces a strong local feel, while comfy couches and a few antiques are lovely homey details. There are multiple potted plants throughout, and green vines crawl up the white walls and arches. Two common spaces stand out, though. One is the restaurant, which features a large dining room with white furniture and a large skylight partly covered with plants. The other one is the lovely courtyard with mountain views, complete with a small pool and loungers. 

The hotel is located in a residential area in central Minori. The town is tiny, and everything is within easy walking distance, including the beach, a small stretch of black sand and pebbles opening onto a quaint bay. There are some restaurants, bars, and shops nearby, but the town is mostly quiet, and certainly not as bustling as other larger Amalfi Coast towns such as Positano. It is 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’s 55 rooms are all decorated in the same simple yet cute style as common spaces, with all-white furniture, terra-cotta floors, and a couple of smoky gray accents in bed runners and throw pillows. In-room amenities are basic, including just a small flat-screen TV, a few hotel-brand toiletries, and a minibar stocked with juices, water, and beer. Free Wi-Fi is a nice perk. All rooms have large windows, and a few feature balconies overlooking either the street or the courtyard, furnished with two small chairs. Bathrooms are average, with either small showers or shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and bidets. Gray tiles make them look a little dated, but they are clean and are spacious enough. Light sleepers may want to request a room overlooking the courtyard, as street-facing units can get noise. 

The restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine in a spacious dining room. A small but free breakfast buffet is provided here every morning, and prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus offer a choice of three starters, three entrees, dessert, and regional wine. Cooking lessons are available several times a year. The pool is small and better suited for a quick dip than for swimming, but has several loungers and serene mountain views. The hotel also has a small spa room offering a wide range of treatments, including massages for two. Although there is no parking on-site, the property offers a few spots at a nearby lot for a daily fee. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.