La Medusa Hotel & BoutiqueSpa

One of the most beautiful things about La Medusa is the care that's been taken to balance the past and present. The hotel was originally a Bourbon manor dating back to the 18th century, and renovations have incorporated its classic air with contemporary elegance. Furnishings aren't ornate or overly baroque -- the example of a gorgeous antique chaise lounge with contemporary striped upholstery comes to mind -- but the devil is in the details, as they say: The hotel's feeling of understated luxury comes through in the chandeliers, statues, and striking tile work throughout the property. An old garden surrounds the property -- the hotel's billing of it as a "park" isn't too off-base, given that it's almost four acres -- with trees that are hundreds of years old and citrus plants. While many guests come just for the Eden Spa (more on that below) and it's a popular spot for local weddings, most who stay here are couples and honeymooners. 

The hotel is in the hilly, green area of Castellammare di Stabia and overlooks the ancient Roman baths, farms, and summer homes of Stabaie, a lesser-known third site that was destroyed by Pompeii's eruption along with Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 A.D. The town itself is known as the "City of Water," with 28 different kinds of mineral water flowing through it, and a free shuttle service will take guests to the center of it in 10 minutes -- though there's not a lot to see there and it's a bit run-down. Beyond the shuttle, it's difficult to get around the immediate area unless travelers have a car. However, there is one very good restaurant, La Brace, a one-minute walk across the road.There is a Circumvesuviana railway station in the center of town, which links key sites in the gulf's surroundings, including Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, and Herculaneum. The location in the heart of the eponymous gulf also makes the hotel a great place to explore the surrounding area from, with both Naples, its airport, and Sorrento all about 40 minutes by car. Three key Amalfi towns are also within easy driving distance: Amalfi and Positano are an hour away by car, and Vietri sul Mare is 30 minutes. 

There are a variety of room types, including apartments (two adjoining rooms, a living room, and a bathroom), and the view depends on the category -- though both the garden and sea views are gorgeous. All are spacious and elegantly decorated in light neutral tones -- cream and ecru -- with antique furniture and gorgeous Vietri tile floors. For those who plan to spend a decent bit of time on-site, upgrading to a room with a furnished terrace is worth it; for those really splashing out, the private solarium of the suites has truly stunning views. All rooms are air-conditioned (and heated) and feature a desk, flat-screen TV with basic channels, free safe, and minibar. Bathrooms have more Vietri tile, with either a walk-in shower or shower/tub combo. Upmarket toiletries, a hairdryer, and slippers are also provided. 

Eden Spa and Beauty is one of the main draws of the property, with a large treatment menu at reasonable prices and beautifully furnished, modern rooms located right in the gardens. There's also a host of non-treatment options: A sensory shower, small gym with floor-to-ceiling windows, Finnish-style sauna, steam bath, hydrotherapy pool, and ozone-heated whirlpool. La Medusa also has a huge, gorgeous pool with jets, and it's surrounded by the garden's citrus trees, infusing the air with a great smell. As the property is geared toward couples, there are no kid-centric amenities on-site. Wi-Fi is available and free throughout the property. Parking is also available on-site for free. Meeting and event spaces are available, and the hotel often hosts weddings.Guests can choose from a variety of meal-plan options. The property's Restaurant Donn'Eugenia, open April through October only, uses local and seasonal produce throughout all of its Mediterranean and international-fusion dishes, though the menu favors the latter. There are three places to take meals on site: The top-floor La Veranda, where a generous breakfast with hot and cold items is served with views out to Mt. Vesuvius; Le Terrazze, which hosts candlelit dinners; and a gazebo garden bar that serves casual food for lunch. The most formal place is Sala Belvedere, which has gorgeous views of Mt. Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples. There's also a beautiful bar in the hotel lobby with an emphasis on spirits and wines. Prices are reasonable for a fine-dining menu, though naturally on the expensive side -- however, given that the hotel is a bit isolated, some guests find themselves taking most of their meals here.