Hotel Villa Annalara

Guests arriving at Hotel Villa Annalara are greeted by an old-fashioned entrance gate framed by stone, immediately hinting at the property’s local charm. Beyond an enchanting tunnel of plant-life, the informal reception area welcomes guests and doubles as a bar and restaurant. Throughout, interiors are traditionally decorated with homey Italian furnishings that, depending on tastes, some will appreciate while others may find stuffy or dated. While its interiors can have appeal, the hotel’s stand-out feature is its wide terrace with panoramic views over Amalfi that stretches out to the sea. Various other beautiful viewpoints can also be found around the hotel’s garden-filled property. 

Villa Annalara is a good choice for couples and small groups seeking a central base for discovering Amalfi. The lean roster of on-site features is geared toward guests who spend most of their day out exploring, rather than on the property. Clean rooms plus quality breakfast and dinner offerings make the hotel an inviting and practical base to return to after a day of sightseeing.

Set on a cliff above Amalfi, Hotel Villa Annalara feels removed from the hustle and bustle of the town’s main tourist hub. However, it actually remains within walking distance of plenty of excellent restaurants and sights. The Museo della Carta can be reached in a two-minute walk, while the stunning Duomo di Amalfi is a six-minute walk away. It’s around a seven-minute walk to the coast. The ferry terminal, where guests can catch boats for Salerno and Positano, can be reached in about 10 minutes on foot. Other local attractions include Valle delle Ferriere nature park, which is 30 minutes away by car, and Pompei, which can be reached in just over an hour’s drive. Naples International Airport is a 90-minute drive away.

Guest rooms at Hotel Villa Annalara are individually decorated, but all are tidy and old-fashioned. Tufted leather headboards, traditional wood furniture, and gilt-framed artwork are typical. Lots of floral or lacy accents are used throughout. Some rooms have slanted ceilings with dark wood accent beams lending them a more historical look (although taller guests might find them a liability). Many rooms have dramatic views of the mountains and city rooftops or the coastline, with some offering lovely furnished terraces. In-room amenities are solid, and flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi come standard. Rooms are also outfitted with electric kettles, a selection of teas, and a few pieces of glassware and a bottle opener. Unfussy bathrooms include hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and bidets. Their small vanities offer minimal counter space. Some have showers with sliding glass doors, while others feature shower/tub combos with jetted bathtubs. 

Hotel Villa Annalara has a modest line-up of amenities, which is to be expected for a small, simple property. The highlight is its rooftop terrace, which offers jaw-dropping views of the surrounding mountains, Amalfi’s rooftops, and the sea. The terrace is charming and informal, decorated with wrought-iron furniture, rustic wooden trellises, and colorful tiles.  

A free buffet breakfast with a nice selection of hot and cold items is included in the room rate. Guests have the option of eating breakfast out on the terrace, or inside in a small bar area. The hotel also serves traditional Italian cuisine for dinner (for a fee), and the food generally receives positive reviews from guests.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and staff can assist with transfers from Naples airport or the train station in Amalfi. Parking is offered a short walk away from the hotel for a costly daily fee, but this is common for Amalfi.