Best Beach Hotels in the Amalfi Coast

A member of the Relais & Chateaux luxury fellowship and possibly the most expensive hotel in Positano, Il San Pietro has enormous rooms with spacious terraces overlooking the sea, an elevator with access to a private cove beach, an on-site luxury spa, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. The downside is that it is not within easy walking distance to town, but a free shuttle can take you there 24/7.

Of the three high-end hotels in the vicinity, the Covo Dei Saraceni is the only one on the beach with a pool overlooking Positano Bay and the spectacular Amalfi coastline. Crowds on the beach and boats headed to and from the nearby ferry dock can be a bit noisy, but rooms overall are pretty quiet and many are equipped with private hot tubs and two balconies. Exploring the ancient cliffside town involves a walk uphill, but the return trip is always downhill.

This 44-room beach hotel is located in a beautiful spot, with a private beach across the road and a large pretty pool, but the area is a bit deserted. There’s nowhere to walk, but guests can take the hotel’s free shuttle to Salerno and the Salerno train station -- where they can connect to ferries to Amalfi and Positano, and trains to Naples and Pompei -- or bring a car; parking is free. Amenities include a large outdoor pool, free buffet breakfast, tennis courts, a bar, and a restaurant serving local specialties. Rooms have minibars, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, and many have private balconies with incredible ocean views.

With beautiful sea views, the cliffside Hotel Marincanto scores plenty of points for ambiance. Rooms and suites have king beds and balconies, many with sea-facing views. Suites also have whirlpool hot tubs, but overall room decor is bland. On-site features include a restaurant serving an expansive (and free) buffet breakfast, as well as a small infinity pool with ocean views. There's a beach area as well, but it's only accessible via a long flight of stairs and it's technically not private.

For travelers who cherish the beach, the Panorama is a great choice. It's near shops, cafes, and public transportation in the nearby village of Maiori and has a well-reputed yet affordable rooftop restaurant. There's also a pool and a private beach; note that guests are charged extra to use chairs and umbrellas. Some rooms are slightly dated, but every inch of the hotel is clean. Former guests have reported that it’s worth the money to upgrade to a room with a balcony and view.

Lloyd’s is a budget pick that has access to a lovely beach (for a fee). Some rooms have nice terrace areas, but those with balconies have either lovely views of the Mediterranean or drab views of a loud shipyard. Although babysitting is available, the hotel seems geared toward budget-minded couples, as it has no pool -- but it does have its own beach disco. The historic village of Vietri is a five-minute walk away, and there's on-site parking and an airport shuttle