This place is fab. In fact it's the fabbest 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? First thing you'll notice is the warmest of welcomes: staff treat you like friends and never forget a face. Second, the rooms: huge picture windows, designer fittings, arty touches and bold splashes of colour make each one feel special. Then there's the breakfast: one of the most cornucopian spreads we've seen in what is essentially a B&B. But, as you’ve probably guessed, what really sets this place apart are the views. Spanning 180 degrees, they plunge over the fishing harbour, glide across the mirror-still seas of Sorrento, to the volcanic cone of Vesuvius on the horizon.
La Minervetta is just outside Sorrento, away from the summer crowds but only 10-15 minutes' walk from its bustling restaurants, bars, shops and harbour. You're also within easy reach of Capri, Positano, Amalfi and Vesuvius, while fascintating Pompeii and even Naples are day-trippable by train. All of this makes Sorrento the single best base for exploring the area, and La Minervetta is the stylish, intimate and immaculately cut jewel in its crown.
Highs
- Views beyond measure; gazing over the Gulf of Naples and the roofs of Sorrento will take your breath away
- An intimate family-run feel, with delightful staff who have a wealth of local knowledge
- The beautiful living areas, sun terrace and Jacuzzi pool, perched above the colourful marina grande
- The immaculate design delights at every turn and every room has a sea view of some kind
- Sorrento is an ideal base for those wanting to explore. Pompeii, Naples, Capri and the Amalfi Coast
Lows
- Book early; this place is deservedly popular
- The cliffside setting and stylish interiors aren't ideal for kids, so they only accept those over 15
- Space around the pool is limited to only 6 loungers, but to compensate guests have free access to a nearby beach club
- The hotel only serves breakfast, though there are lots of other restaurants within walking distance
- Local traffic, especially at weekends, is a nightmare - use the train and boats instead
Best time to go
Summer is extremely busy: come in spring (April-May) or autumn (mid September-October) if you possibly can. The weather then is perfect for gentle exploration, and swimming is quite feasible until early November (though in April it's chilly).
Our top tips
The service here is really welcoming and friendly. If you let the staff know that you're celebrating your honeymoon or anniversary they'll provide a free welcome tray, and if they know it's your birthday they'll get you a cake!
- Boutique Hotel
- 13 rooms
- Breakfast only (walk to restaurants)
- Only accepts children 15+
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Beach club access
Rooms
From the hotel’s rooftop entrance, glide down to the 13 sea-facing bedrooms where walls of windows maximise the views - those on the left look to the Gulf of Naples, those on the right to Sorrento.
The Superior Corner Rooms have superb panoramas from dual windows. One faces Sorrento, but our favourite is all sea, with the pale peak of Vesuvius breaking the scene (and a sliver of neighbouring hotels visible, so be mindful of when to close the blinds). Another Superior Room enjoys views from two French balconies from the middle of the building.
The Deluxe Rooms also sit in the middle, with glimpses of Sorrento's marina grande (vertigo sufferers should keep the swivel-panes closed) and plenty of colour combos to choose from – ours had cool white walls and navy accents.
Perfect for couples, the Junior Studio offers a balcony and added privacy in exchange for a smaller bathroom and limited views. It’s accessed via exterior steps and is therefore only available during high season. The sole Junior Suite has a balcony, a sitting area and a Jacuzzi tub.
All rooms have been lavished with exquisite attention to detail: Balinese Buddha heads and Grecian model boats mingle with Philippe Starck lamps and top-notch fittings. Bathrooms enjoy vivid striped tiling, piles of fluffy towels and an array of luxury toiletries.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
A healthy, beautifully presented and daily-changing breakfast buffet is laid out on the kitchen table. Every bowl of oranges, pot of lemon jam and tray of sugar-dusted cornetti is as delicious on the eye as on the stomach. Cakes and pastries are fresh from the hotel manager's bakery and you might find jugs of fresh orange or pear juice, soft cheeses or slivers of prosciutto. Cooked eggs and American-style pancakes are always on offer. In summer, take your cerulean-glazed plate out to the parasolled terrace and sit facing the rising sun, the endless sea and the cone of Vesuvius.
For lunch and dinner, wander down the hotel's zig-zagging path to the marina grande for fresh fish at one of the waterside restaurants: try relaxed Da Emilia or Delfino, where we enjoyed an amazing seafood risotto. There's a light snack buffet served at the hotel between 6-7pm each day: nibble on cut meats, olives, cheeses and canapés before you decide what to eat for dinner.
Alternatively, take a 10-minute stroll into town for a wider choice of eateries. For a special occasion, splash out on Michelin-starred Il Buco’s fantastic seafood, steaks and wine list. If you have a car, staff recommend Don Alfonso in Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi (10km), where father-and-son chefs Alfonso and Ernesto turn out impeccable, largely home-grown Italian fare.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Sorrento may be touristy but it has not lost its soul: on Sundays the whole town turns out for a morning stroll along the corso, while in the evening shops open late for limoncello-fuelled purchases of leather goods, ceramics and fabrics
- Wander down the stepped path to the marina grande’s small beach and restaurants; hotel guests get free access to Delfino beach club (and you can catch a bus back up the hill)
- If visiting Pompeii, aim to arrive early (before the crowds) to see the Roman shops, villas and amphitheatres that remain remarkably intact after Vesuvius' AD79 eruption
- Herculaneum is another Roman town wiped out (and preserved) by volcanic flows; its suburban setting is grim, but it's much quieter than Pompeii and boasts fine friezes and mosaics
- Buses and taxis run from Pompeii and Herculaneum to the base of Mt. Vesuvius; climbing to the ash-swirling, lunar-rocked summit takes about 45 minutes (weather permitting)
- Enjoy Naples, the islet of Capri, the pastel hues of Positano and the art-rich town of Amalfi (all reachable for daytrips)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Museums / galleries
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
Kids
La Minervetta only accepts teenagers aged over 15 and their date of birth needs to be provided at the time of booking. There are steep paths, cliffside drops and fragile objects to be careful of. Those aged over 15 can sleep in an extra bed in a Deluxe Room, Superior Room, Junior Suite and Superior Corner Room (at an additional cost).
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
La Minervetta is in Sorrento, the largest town on the Amalfi peninsula. It is at the southern end of the Bay of Naples, in southern Italy.
By Air
Fly into Naples Capodichino Airport (60km); the hotel can arrange a taxi from here (up to 2-hours' drive).
By Car
Roads around Sorrento are narrow, winding and very busy, but if you do want to hire a car the hotel offers free off-street parking.
By Public Transport
If you're feeling brave, you could take the bus from Naples airport to Piazza Garibaldi, then a 'Circumvesuviana' train to Sorrento (regular daytime departures, journey around an hour). You can then take a local 'Circumvesuviana' bus to the hotel.
Detailed directions will be sent after your booking is confirmed.
More on getting to Italy and getting around
Airports:
- Naples Capodichino Airport 60.0 km NAP
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.3 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape