Vittoria

The outside of Vittoria is charming, with a cobbled-stone entryway and sweeping views from terraces overlooking the bay. Interior decor is traditional and simple, featuring terra-cotta tiling and wooden tables topped with white and navy tablecloths in the breakfast room. The adjacent small reception area continues the nautical tones with blue-and-white-striped couches and a model ship. Though by no means modern, most guests are keeping their eyes focused on the stunning vistas from multiple vantage points. Family-run, the hotel has just 20 rooms, which contributes to its intimate and romantic vibe.

Vittoria is located off a tiny street and tucked up in the hills of one of Positano's older neighborhoods. The center of town is a 12-minute walk from the property, and it's just a four-minute walk to the town's smaller beach that it shares with sister Hotel Pupetto -- though this involves about 200 steps and may be difficult for some. Popular day trips from Positano, such as the other Amalfi towns and Pompeii, are all around an hour's drive away. There are also multiple daily ferries from Positano's main beach (a 10-minute drive or 18-minute walk) to Capri. 

Driving from Salerno is an hour and a half; from Naples, an hour and a half. There's no train station in Positano, which makes transportation a bit more complicated. The easiest way to get in from Naples is to take the train from Naples to Sorrento, then a bus into Positano. Or, two busses can take guests into town from Salerno in two and a half hours. 

Vittoria's 20 spacious rooms are typical of Amalfi and brim with natural light. They feature gently curved archways, white walls, and are decorated in soothing pale hues that include yellow, purple, and blue. Many also have the region's famous, hand-painted Vietri sul Mare tiles adorning bedroom floors and bathroom walls. Ornate, wrought-iron headboards cap each of the beds, which are made up as part of the daily cleaning services. Each room has a furnished balcony or terrace, either with partial sea views or outlooks over Positano. Spacious bathrooms have walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. They also come equipped with bidets, hairdryers, and basic toiletries. Minibars are stocked with soda and water, and flat-screen TVs are mounted on the walls, plus all rooms have air-conditioning and heating. 

This tiny property is light on facilities, offering no pool or wellness facilities of any kind. There's also no actual restaurant on-site, but the sister hotel, Hotel Pupetto, has its own seaside restaurant serving wood-oven pizza. Guests staying at Vittoria get a small discount on their meals there and it's a popular lunch spot. It shares the nearby stretch of black sand with Hotel Pupetto, too, so Vittoria guests can swim and sunbathe there. A continental breakfast is included in all room rates and the spread consists of cheeses, eggs, cold meats, and pastries, as well as fruit and cereal. The coffee -- made by owner Salvatore -- is reportedly not to be missed. Parking is available off-site for a fee, though it's better value than parking in town. Free Wi-Fi is only available in the lobby.