Boutique Hotel Helios

Housed in a 1950s building that was once a private villa, the three-story Boutique Hotel Helios opened in 2015. With its fresh white facade accented with bright-blue shutters, balconies, and a classic terra-cotta roof, the hotel has a Mediterranean ambience. Interior decor follows suit, with the same Mediterranean color palette. The lobby pairs white walls, tile floors, and upholstered armchairs with light-wood inlaid furniture and bright orange drapes and lampshades. An outdoor terrace uses the same blue ceramic tiling found in most of the rooms, while the rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of the Bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius in the background. The hotel exudes a peaceful, intimate vibe, and draws mostly couples. 

The hotel is located on the Via Capo, the westbound road exiting Sorrento. It's surrounded by other hotels but is close enough to the beach for sea views. For a fee, guests can use a small private beach owned by the nearby Tonnarella Hotel. Main sights in the city center are about a 15- to 20-minute walk from the hotel, but the hotel is on a main road with no sidewalks, and guests walking to town must beware of adjacent traffic. Guests can walk to the Piazza Tasso, Marina Grande, Wonderwall Art Gallery, and Wooden Marquetry Workshop-Museum in about 20 minutes. Naples Airport is about an hour's drive from the hotel, while the Sorrento train station is a 12-minute drive or a 25-minute walk. Pompeii is about a 45-minute drive, while the Amalfi Coast is about a 90-minute drive. Round-trip airport transfers can be arranged with the hotel. Limited on-site parking is available, although the hotel does not advertise it -- guests should arrange it with the property in advance.

The 15 rooms at the Boutique Hotel Helios have a simple, airy Mediterranean-style that pairs white walls and blue or white tile floors and inlaid wood furniture. Brocade-fabric headboards and closets lined with stenciled or striped wallpaper add a bit of flair. Rooms are similar in size and layout -- the view is the major distinguishing feature among the three room categories. Standard Rooms (193 square feet) lack views, as they face an adjacent hotel, while Superior Rooms (215 square feet) have sea views, and Deluxe Rooms add roomy terraces with tables and cushioned wicker chairs, plus more comprehensive views of both the water and Mount Vesuvius. Some Superior Rooms feature French balconies. The modern bathrooms feature pretty blue-and-white ceramic tiling and bidets, long sinks, and roomy walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads and shower wands. Hairdryers, scales, robes and slippers, and toiletries are provided. All rooms have air-conditioning, desks, open wardrobes with safes, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and free Wi-Fi. They also include minibars, but lack tea- and coffee-making facilities. 

Boutique Hotel Helios uses its seaside location to its advantage. The hotel's standout feature are its terraces, which offer spectacular views of the Bay of Naples, with Mount Vesuvius in the background. A rooftop terrace includes loungers, tables and chairs, a hammock, and a hot tub. The hotel also has a small fitness room with a treadmill, elliptical machine, a weight machine, exercise ball, and some free weights. The major downside of this property is its lack of a pool, but for a fee, guests can use a nearby private beach owned by the Tonnarella Hotel.The property has an attractive breakfast room with Italian country decor and blue-tile floors. The daily free breakfast offers a plentiful buffet and  cooked-to-order eggs. Room service is available during limited hours and guests can order lunch through the hotel, although there is no on-site restaurant. The staff is exceptional, offering personalized service that guests rave about. The hotel offers recommendations, makes reservations, will arrange airport transportation and laundry service. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.