La Pergola Hotel

The stone-and-stucco La Pergola Hotel is ideal for leisure travelers wanting a secluded getaway, making it more popular with couples than families. Built into a hillside like many Amalfi Coast properties, stunning bay and cliff views can be found from the large outdoor terrace and some rooms. Interiors are less impressive but well-maintained and homey. The lobby is dated but charming, with seafoam-green armchairs, rustic wood, and knickknacks. A bar and espresso machine is here as well, though it's less of a gathering place than a stop on the way in or out. More notable is that the hotel sits amid a lemon grove and has its own garden, so guests can expect the scent of citrus in the air and the use of fresh ingredients at the on-site restaurant. 

Surrounded by lemon groves, La Pergola is located on a winding road just outside the town of Amalfi, a short walk to the ocean. There's not a lot around the hotel, but the beach and two seaside restaurants, Da Teresa and Santa Croce, are a five-minute walk from the property. Three bus routes run between the hotel and Amalfi, each about a 10-minute journey or seven-minute drive. The bus stop for two of the routes is right outside the hotel; the third is about an 8-minute walk away but results in just a five-minute ride to town. 

However, given that the bus service can be intermittent or unpredictable, those with cars (or those who love walking -- it's a 30-minute walk into town along a path with steep drops) might be best suited to this hotel. Taxis back from Amalfi are expensive. Naples International Airport is about an hour-and-a-half drive away (about two hours by bus and train); Rome's airports are about four-and-a-half hours by public transit. 

Simplistic rooms have lovely Italian tile flooring and are decorated in monochromatic light blue, including the sateen bed covering, drapes, and painted wooden furniture. The dated look is a bit surprising given that the hotel opened in 2004, but it's par for the course in this area. Staff clean the rooms and change towels daily, and all come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes. Most rooms have private balconies with views of Santa Croce Bay, and it's worth the upgrade for a room with a view. The Superior rooms, in particular, feature generally large, furnished terraces, though not all fully face the ocean. 

Bathrooms in Standard and Economy rooms are small, lack counter space, and have tiny stall showers; Superior ones have a bit more space and shower/tub combos. All offer basic toiletries and hairdryers. 

The restaurant offers excellent meals, including a free continental breakfast spread with just-baked cakes. Freshly caught fish and seafood are served later in the day, as well as handmade pasta. A key to its success might be its produce, which is sourced from the property's lush garden and lemon grove, but it limits the restaurant's operations: The restaurant is open only from mid-April to the beginning of November. Of note, though, is its wine cellar, featuring regional and Italian wines. 

A partially covered terrace facing the opposite cliffs and bay is outfitted with plenty of loungers and chairs. The uncovered part is backgrounded by lovely lush gardens and planters. Wi-FI is free throughout the property.