Villa Cimbrone Hotel

This villa, whose earliest reference dates back to the 11th century, rates high for romance, particularly when it comes to its gardens, which are a big draw for visitors to the Amalfi Coast. After a stint as a monastery, the villa itself later became the project of an English lord who fell in love with it during his Grand Tour. The lord, Ernest Beckett, created the property's famous gardens and altered the property shortly after the turn of the 20th century, after which it played frequent host to the early 20th-century Bloomsbury Group, a circle of intellectuals including Virginia Woolf, Greta Garbo, Maynard Keynes, and Winston Churchill. Gore Vidal reportedly described the property's terrazzo dell'lnfinito, a marble-bust lined belvedere that's the peak of the property's English gardens, as the most beautiful view in the world. (Not all of its famous guests were well-behaved: author D.H. Lawrence reportedly vandalized a statue in the gardens by painting it.) It wasn't until the 1960s that the villa was converted into a hotel. Now, it's owned by the Vuilleumier family, who do an excellent job of maintaining the grounds and property. Guests shouldn't expect much original decor; instead, the property is made up of salvaged architectural items from all around Italy, as well as farther afield. Classical elegance pervades throughout, from colorful patterned tile, striking vaulted ceilings, and wrought-iron furniture. Given its obvious draws, the property is a popular spot for weddings and honeymoons. 

Villa Cimbrone, which looks down1,200 feet above the sea from a rocky perch known as Cimbronium (hence the name). Guests can access the beach via stairs, though the hike down (and up!) is steep and long, taking about 10 minutes. On the whole, the hotel is rather isolated, though many view being away from the region's summer crowds as a major plus. Some travelers view the property as more of a destination than a base to do significant exploration in Ravello or around the Amalfi Coast. It's a little bit of a hike getting here: the hotel is about an hour and 45 minutes from Naples airport by car, more more than three and a half hours by train. Given its remote location, a car is highly recommended. Note that parking is in the main square, requiring guests to walk about 10 minutes, however, luggage can be transported by golf cart. There's also a helicopter pad for those arriving that way.  

The property's 19 rooms are individually decorated and peppered with antiques from the property's long history. Most rooms are done traditionally in colors like bold red and cobalt blues, along with stunning Vietri tile floors -- an Amalfi tradition dating back to the 17th century -- and fireplaces built with stone or more of the majolica ceramic. Some suites have magnificent frescoed, vaulted ceilings. Views of the sea or gardens won't disappoint, especially from each room's furnished terrace, though it's largely worth upgrading to a sea-view unit. Toiletries are presented in their own box left on guests' beds. Some suites' bathrooms have deep soaking or whirlpool tubs extending from beautifully tiled walls, while lower-tier rooms have smaller bathrooms with large walk-in showers and bidets. Minibars, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, hairdryers, and safes come standard.As wonderful as the rooms are, there are a few downsides when it comes to practicality. Some rooms, even suites, can be on the small side, and some guests complain that double beds comprised of two singles pushed together can be frustrating. There are no irons or ironing boards, either, which isn't uncommon in this part of Italy, though guests needing anything pressed will have to pay a fee for the service. Given that the hotel is a popular destination for weddings, it's worth checking to see if there are any functions, as rooms above event spaces can be quite loud late into the night. 

For many guests, the views and gardens are the main draw to the property. The latter, which combine an English style of gardening with classical touches like little temples and copies of statues like Donatello's famous David, are a tourist attraction in their own right and open to the public during the day -- guests can also enjoy the private gardens, a more recent creation that are stunning.The property's on-site restaurant, Flauto di Pan, has a Michelin star to its honor. Lunch menus are Mediterranean focused, while dinner is full-on modern gourmet. A free breakfast spread includes homemade yogurt, hot and cold items, and prosecco.A pretty swimming pool has Mediterranean views, loungers, and surrounding gardens. A small, bright gym is on-site, but there's no full spa. Staff can arrange for in-room or poolside massages.Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.