Casa Privata

A blissfully quiet old house near Positano, with an incredible sweep of gardens, sea-framed sunset views and 6 elegant rooms

This isn't the easiest hotel to reach: local parking is difficult, and then you have to trot down 150 steep stone steps with your suitcase. But trust us, it’s worth it. Open the wooden door and you step into glorious gardens designed by Jacques Wirtz (of the Louvre gardens fame): immaculate layers of sculpted rose beds and box hedges, clusters of aromatic lavender and bursts of gladioli and iris, sprawling right down to the cliff edge. And framing it all is one of the finest sea views in the world.

Turn around and the 200-year-old rustic stone house offers cool and shade from the bright sun. Formerly the holiday home of Austrian siblings Rosa, Max and Marie, it’s hard to believe it was once a tumbledown fisherman’s ruin - and they've restored it beautifully. Flagged stone floors, antique furniture and jugs of fresh flowers set the tone: it’s an elegant house not a contemporary hotel, hence the name. Bask on the sun-drenched rocks at the bottom of the gardens, then dive into the invigorating sea or settle under the arbour. This place is a haven on the bustling Amalfi.

Highs

• Big and airy bedrooms with fab views, bespoke Balinese furniture and ancient frescoed cupolas
• Tranquil terrace with an shady arbour, and a sprinkling of tables and chairs
• Rosa, Max and Marie are charming and go above and beyond to make you feel welcome
• Each room has a private sunbathing area down on the rocks
• Set at the bottom of the hill, far from the madding crowds and frantic coastal roads, Ca’P'a (as it's affectionately known) is unbelievably quiet
• Perfect for a group rental

Lows

• The 150 steps (think of it as working off all that pizza)
• There’s no actual restaurant, but lunch and dinner are served on request
• There's no pool and the sea’s pretty fresh until high summer
• Garage parking at Casa Privata is expensive