Pietra di Luna Hotel

The Pietra Di Luna Hotel has the terraced balcony look that's typical of the region, especially for midcentury hotels. It faces the sea with its main feature being its wide restaurant terrace, partially shaded by striped awnings. Green hills cultivated with lemon trees rise behind as a pleasant backdrop. Inside, the lobby is remarkable for its Art Deco flair that's moodier and darker than most, with metallic columns wrapped in a puckered surface that give it a lunar landscape effect (note the hotel's name). Glass wall scones glow against dark wood paneling, and the low, pastel green couches add a bit of sharp contrast that keeps the lunar theme in check.

The hotel sits across the narrow, but busy boulevard from the beach promenade in central Maiori, which is located in the middle of the Gulf of Salerno on the Amalfi Coast halfway between Salerno and Amalfi. Maiori is the coast’s largest town, and during the summer it becomes a popular destination for its wide beach packed with loungers and umbrellas. Many restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars, are within walking distance. Amalfi town can be reached in about 15 minutes by car, and Positano and Pompei are just under an hour's drive away. The nearest major airport is in Naples, located a 70-minute drive away.  

The hotel's 96 air-conditioned rooms are divided in three categories by view: either courtyard, sea front, or side views which have partial sea views. Most have small furnished balconies. A vintage atmosphere permeates the spaces, for better or worse. On the plus side, rooms have retained their traditional ceramic tile floors, which add color and zip to the spaces. On the down side, the wood furnishings are basic and chain-like, and the drab off-white bedding does little to elevate the decor. Generic prints of daisies and '80s-style upholstery on chairs also bring the rooms down. Little desks, minibars, and small flat-screen TVs (either 28" or 32") come standard, but there are no coffeemakers. Some of the bathrooms have been renovated with conventional contemporary tiles and walk-in showers, while others retain the older fixtures, colorful tiles, and shower/tub combos. All have bidets, but the older bathrooms have them in cramped spots on awkward angles to the toilets. Wi-Fi is not available in rooms, though some guests may be able to pick up a spotty public connection. 

The hotel's strongest selling point is its location, right across from the beach. It also has a large outdoor lap pool, with a sundeck that's set with simple sun loungers and umbrellas. The restaurant's large outdoor terrace dominates the front of the building with views of the promenade. It serves regional cuisine, mostly fish and seafood dishes, with seasonal and local produce, along with a healthy Italian wine list. A free breakfast buffet includes cooked-to-order hot options. There's also a cocktail lounge with a proper bar and a sitting area with Art Deco-style furnishings. The hotel's meeting hall has as stage and is one of the largest in the area, capable of accommodating up to 450 people. Free Wi-Fi is in all public areas (though it's absent in rooms), and parking is also free.