La Locanda delle Donne Monache

Soothe your soul at this 17th-century convent in Maratea's old town, with monastic-chic rooms and exquisite dining, a few miles from the beach

An as-yet largely undiscovered gem, this locanda is a joy to stay, swim and eat in. Perched up the mountainside in Maratea's centro storico, high above the terracotta roofs of the 'new' town, its poetic, misty views are enhanced by the soft clanging of ancient church bells. Originally a convent built in 1735, it still has the cloistered, winding corridors, but its tasteful boutique restoration has been given pizzazz by Arabic flourishes and a colourful, quirky feast of modern art collected from around the world.

Drink in the dreamy mountain views, chill in the upper or lower levels of the lush garden, float in the turquoise sun-trap pool, or unwind completely in the fragrant Massage Room. Afterwards, treat your taste buds in the cordon bleu restaurant; this will be a meal you'll remember for a long time.

As an added bonus, the steep, meandering streets of sleepy, cat-filled old Maratea are right on your doorstep, and a stunning 40-minute climb above you is the imposing 21m statue of Christ the Redeemer, which seems to spread its arms protectively over the town. Wonderful.

Highs

• Maratea's natural beauty: a 19-mile coastline of secluded pebbled beaches lined by pine trees, and blissful azure waters. The hotel offers a free daily transfer to La Secca beach in the summer months
• The calming, graceful rooms, most with lovely balconies and mountain or garden views; the Suites are well worth splashing out on
• The sophisticated and utterly delicious food - some of the finest to be found on the Basilicata coast
• Perfect for a honeymoon or romantic holiday - Maratea is often referred to as Amalfi without the crowds, and this hotel is the best in town
• Staff are friendly and warm - though this is an upmarket hotel, the ambiance is relaxed

Lows

• A 2.5-hour drive from Naples airport, with some steep winding roads
• Having to manually turn off the toilet flush (not good for water conservation!) and the slightly musty smell in our bathroom
• A lack of overhead lighting can make rooms a little gloomy after dark - particularly as our lamp didn't work and staff didn't quite get around to fixing it
• There aren't enough sun loungers if all guests throng to the pool