Towers Hotel Stabiae Sorrento Coast

The concrete and steel framework of the Towers Hotel Stabiae Sorrento Coast juts out from the rocky coastline with bursts of greenery decorating the property. If the seven buildings that make up the hotel’s property look like a factory, that’s no coincidence. Before there was a hotel, the Portocarello Tower, built in 1636, stood on this shoreline to fight off pirate invasions. After it was demolished in 1930, a cement industrial plant was opened on the site. That building was later abandoned and demolished, and this hotel was built with two replica towers of the factory. At the front of the hotel, there's a small man-made beach, with towels and lounge chairs, that offers a peaceful spot to relax. (This property is far from Sorrento, but also offers distance from the city's tourist congestion.) The public, however, does use the hotel’s facilities, and  it's especially popular with families on the weekends. A private pier offers a bench and views of Mount Vesuvius.

Sitting on a private beach, the hotel has a picturesque location on the Gulf of Naples, but without a car there’s not much nearby. The private pier makes it convenient for boat trips to Sorrento, Capri, and Naples. For guests driving to the hotel, there’s a large underground garage. A paid hotel shuttle goes to Vico Equense in 10 minutes and Sorrento in about 40 minutes. The shuttle is infrequent, so many guests take a combination of buses, trains, and taxis to get around. The Castellammare di Stabia train station is an 11-minute drive away. The Pozzano station is across the street, but it's only open seasonally. Trips to Capri, Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, and Herculaneum, among other places, can be organized through the hotel. It’s about 45 minutes to the nearest airport, Naples International Airport. 

The style in rooms is a hodgepodge mix of modern and homey furniture with some dated decor, including the occasional tube TV. Rooms have leather headboards with buckles, wooden floors, rattan sofas, and colorful abstract paintings. The highlight is the full or partial sea views from windows, balconies, or terraces. Suites have sofas in separate sitting areas and skylights over whirlpool tubs. Family Rooms and Terrace Suites are two connecting rooms. The top floor Vertigo Suite has a figure-eight architectural design, gorgeous sea views, a mod dining table and sitting area, and two bathrooms. All rooms have mini-fridges, safes, electric kettles, irons/ironing boards, flat-screen TVs or tube TVs, free Wi-Fi, and some have bathrobes and slippers. Marble bathrooms offer tub/shower combos (or separate showers and soaking tubs), bidets, hairdryers, and heated towel racks. Accessible rooms are available. 

Dominating the coastline, the hotel has uninterrupted views of Mount Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples from its upscale facilities. A modern pool with a zigzag design and white lounge chairs overlooks the sea; a poolside terrace offers foosball. The Gouache Restaurant, which serves Mediterranean cuisine, also has stunning sea views with a glass conservatory dining area and a terrace. The Acquerello Bar is bright and casual, decorated with a winter fireplace and a terrace. The Spamarine features a sauna, hot tub, Turkish bath, Vichy shower, tanning beds, makeup counter, and a lounge. But certainly the main attraction is the man-made beach, a peaceful stretch of sand with towels and loungers that's also open to the public. There’s also a small modern fitness center with cardio machines, stall bars, and free weights. There are three meeting rooms about 1,700 square feet and two break-out rooms that fit up to six people that are available to rent. Wi-Fi is free throughout.