Maison La Minervetta
Sorrento, Southern Italy
A delightful restaurant-turned-boutique-hotel, perched above Sorrento's harbour, with 12 immaculate and artful rooms
This place is cool. In fact it's the coolest place we visited in
southern Italy, and one of the best small hotels we've seen
anywhere in the Med. What makes it so special? The 180-degree sea
views for starters, which you can enjoy lying in bed, thanks to
huge picture windows. The artistic detail in the rooms
for seconds (think nichefuls of coral, funkily-tiled wetrooms,
brightly painted model boats set against boldly coloured walls).
The vast sun terrace, where you can easily spend 2 hours over a
healthy and delicious breakfast. And let's not forget the setting:
plunging views over the fishing harbour and mirror-still seas of
Sorrento, with the volcanic cone of Vesuvius breaking the
horizon.
You're just outside town, away from the summer crowds but only
10-15 minutes' walk from its bustling restaurants, bars, shops and
quayside. Hydrofoils whisk you to Capri, Positano, Amalfi and even
Naples for the day; the train is handy for Pompeii and Vesuvius.
Sorrento is the best single base for exploring this area, and La
Minervetta is the stylish, intimate and immaculately-cut gem in its
crown.
Reviewed by Michael Cullen
Last updated 30 March 2012
Highs
- The immaculate design not only works, but delights at every turn
- The beautiful living areas and the sun terrace look out over the Gulf of Naples and the roofs of Sorrento
- There's an intimate family-run feel, with delightful staff
- The sun terrace with its cold-water Jacuzzi pool hangs above the colourful marina grande (great restaurants)
- It's midway between the urban bustle of Naples, the must-see city of Pompeii and the seawashed crags of Amalfi / Capri - and well-placed for exploring all 3
Lows
- Sorrento can get very crowded in summer - come in spring or autumn, or even at Christmas
- The traffic, especially at weekends, is a nightmare. Use the train and boats instead
