Hotel Admiral Sorrento

Housed in a striking, white building with four floors, the Hotel Admiral makes the most of its seafront setting: the terrace, pool, restaurant, and many rooms have views of the water. The airy, all-white lobby is decorated with travel photography and sleek, kelly green furniture, while outside, the lack of landscaping further emphasizes the rocky backdrop and vivid, turquoise sea. Overall, a modern -- if not upscale -- feel pervades the hotel, which draws loyal clientele with its convenient and stunning location.

The seafront Hotel Admiral is on the Bay of Naples in the Marina Grande, a quiet fishing hamlet just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of central Sorrento. The property is set in a quiet, pedestrian area that sees little traffic, with seafood restaurants and pizzerias on the surrounding streets. The Basilica di Sant'Antonino, the elegant Piazza Tasso, and the Cathedral of Sorrento are each about a 10-minute walk from the hotel -- the walk is somewhat steep. Public transportation is readily available: busses into central Sorrento stop near the hotel; the Sorrento train station is about three-quarters of a mile east; and hydrofoil ferries to Capri, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast are about a half-mile east as well. Naples and Naples International Airport are about one hour north.

The 62 rooms at the Hotel Admiral are simple and contemporary, done up in all white, or white with royal blue or bright red. Some rooms are a little small, but most have balconies or French balconies, and some have very good views of the Bay of Naples. While the unfussy decor is a nice complement to the picturesque seaside surroundings, rooms lack some key amenities, including safes, minibars, coffeemakers, and Wi-Fi -- which is only available in public spaces for a fee. Rooms do have air-conditioning, hairdryers, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels.

The Hotel Admiral's highlight is a seafront outdoor swimming pool -- good for a refreshing dip, but a little small for a full-on swim. The adjacent sun terrace is a nice spot for lounging, but gets shaded early in the afternoon due to the hotel's north-facing location. The free breakfast is ample, with hot and cold choices, but the food is somewhat generic and not gourmet quality -- coffee is instant. The restaurant serves local and international cuisine and a fixed menu for dinner each night. Both the restaurant and bar have sea views. Overall, property amenities are a little limited, as the hotel has no fitness center, sauna, hot tub, spa, or business center. Within walking distance are free public beaches and private beach clubs for a fee.