Maison Kalea

Maison Kalea is housed in a modern, Mediterranean-style building with a terra-cotta roof, typically found in the area. The lobby is a colorful, contemporary space, with bright red sofas and a fireplace, royal blue tile floors, and an avant-garde orange chandelier fashioned like coral. Guests gather here, and also in the lovely breakfast room, with whitewashed walls and traditional tile in soft, cheery shades of blue, green, red, and yellow. The breakfast room has a long communal-style table, so conversation with other guests is encouraged. Another pleasant spot on-site is the large, landscaped courtyard with a gazebo, which has white sun loungers and red and blue throw pillows and soft armchairs. Guests sip drinks, read, and take in sun here, but there are also plenty of shaded areas for hot days. In evenings, tiny white lights create a romantic atmosphere for the couples who stay here, and make up the bulk of the hotel's clientele. 

Maison Kalea is located on a hilltop, about a five-minute drive south of the major SS-145/Via degli Aranci road. There are two grocery stores, a couple bars, and a pastry shop within a short stroll. The hotel is a 15-minute walk from the sea, though central Sorrento's restaurants, bars, gelato stands, and top sights like Piazza Tasso square and Church del Carmine can be reached within 10 minutes on foot. Guests should note, however, that the walk into central Sorrento and back involves steep stairs. Also within a 10-minute walk from the hotel is Vallone dei Mulini valley and Villa Comunale, a large bayside park with superb gardens, fountains, and sweeping views of the sea and Mount Vesuvius. Elevators from the park lead down to the beach and Marina Piccola. From there, travelers can catch boat tours and ferries to Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and Naples. It's a 10-minute walk to Sorrento Station, and Naples International Airport is about an hour by car. 

Guest rooms at the Maison Kalea are simple and spare, but they're cheery and fresh, done with vivid shades such as blue, red, and lime green. Rooms also feature colorful modern art, Mediterranean-style tile headboards, and hardwood floors, and some have bedspreads in a black and white check print. Amenities are fairly extensive, as all rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Junior suites add seating areas with coffee tables and sofas, and some units feature balconies with views of the street and surrounding area. Bathrooms have a similar look, and all contain bidets, hairdryers, and stall showers with rainfall showerheads. The regular rooms range from 237 square feet (22 square meters) to 291 square feet (27 square meters), and junior suites come in at 377 square feet (35 square meters).

Maison Kalea has limited features, with a free hot breakfast buffet as the highlight. The well-reviewed spread includes cooked-to-order eggs, Italian pastries, cold cuts, and cheeses, and it’s served in a bright, contemporary room with a communal table. A landscaped courtyard with sun loungers and a gazebo is another plus. The hotel lacks a bar or restaurant for lunch and dinner, but there are several within a five- to 10-minute walk away.Other amenities include an area shuttle and roundtrip airport shuttle (fees), plus luggage storage, car/scooter/boat rentals, laundry service, and in-room massages for an extra charge. The front desk is closed overnight, but staff is available 24 hours a day. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and there's public parking for a fee near the hotel, but finding a spot isn't always easy.