Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast for a Local Experience

Stay in a boutique property right in the heart of Amalfi, just a couple of minutes from the colourful port. This local B&B overlooks the main town street, Via Lorenzo d’Amalfi, and echoes the style of a traditional Italian pension, with white walls, vibrant tiles and French windows that open onto Juliet balconies. Modern touches include hydromassage tubs, while breakfast is a continental buffet served on the rooftop terrace.

Come to Villa Yiara to experience a family-run B&B set in an 18th-century property. The luxury villa has an adults-only policy and is the former home of Amalfi couple Imara and Silvio, who run the hotel. Each room has a terrace overlooking Positano’s hills and the Tyrrhenian Sea, and is furnished with baroque antiques, glass chandeliers and hand-painted tiles. The opulent Palatial Suite even has a terrace with an outdoor whirlpool tub. A continental breakfast is served on your balcony.

Casa Angelina is built into the cliffside on the edge of Praiano and has a striking white Mediterranean vibe. There’s an outdoor pool surrounded by a wooden deck and another indoor hydrotherapy pool, and you can walk down 250 steps to a private beach. Stay in one of the former fishing cottages on the beach for the most local experience, and enjoy butler service. Elsewhere, dine on seafood by candlelight on the rooftop restaurant with a glass of Italian wine.

This 17th-century monastery rings its bell every time a new guest arrives. The property has a distinctly historic atmosphere, from the candlelit corridors to the Jerusalem-stone floors and former nuns’ cells named after local herbs. Gaze at views over the coastline views from your balcony, take afternoon tea on the terrace or relax in the spa. Tiered gardens tumble down the cliffside to a spectacular heated infinity pool.

Once home to the king of Naples, Palazzo Murat screams Amalfi grandeur. Expect tall ceilings, antiques, a wrought-iron gateway and a bougainvillea-filled courtyard. Rooms are just as impressive, filled with fine fabrics, four-poster beds and French windows that open onto large balconies. The hotel offers a free trip along the coast in its private boat, and there’s also a spa with a Turkish bath, and a bar and restaurant.

Hotel Marina Riviera, which enjoys a star location looking over the harbour, is one of Amalfi’s longest-running hotels. The villa dates back to the 19th century and comes complete with Moorish architectural details and whitewashed walls. There’s a rooftop pool and hammam, along with a heated pool and bar for guests. Each room is individually decorated with carved wooden bed frames and elegant fabrics, marble bathrooms and lounge spaces.

The town of Ravello is an Amalfi highlight, and home to the locally owned Hotel Giordano. This boutique property dates back to the 19th century and is set into the cliffs, with a large pool and shady terrace with hillside views. Ask the owner about taking a cooking class or cheese-making session with the resident chef. Rooms feature wooden antiques and ceramic tiles, and some even have their own whirlpool.

Experience life in Fornillo, the oldest part of Positano, at La Rosa Dei Venti. Set away from the tourist part of town, the hotel has a traditional vibe with chimneys, balconies dripping in geraniums and plenty of Vietri ceramics throughout. Photogenic terraces showcase sea views and are also where you’ll be brought breakfast. The hotel organises local Amalfi boat trips and lies just 15 minutes from the area’s main beach.

If you’re looking for somewhere in the centre of Amalfi, check into Aurora apartments. You’ll enjoy a beachfront location within the historic walls of town, with views over Amalfi Bay. Rooms are designed with majolica floors, patterned lamps and sea-view terraces, while breakfast consists of pastries, home-made cakes, eggs and fresh juice. For self-catering breaks, opt for the apartment rentals, which lie a short walk away in a quiet square.

Villa Boheme, built by a Finnish noblewoman back in the ’50s, has been restored by the local Russo family. The main house, in the centre of Positano, is split into three peaceful suites, each of which features doors that open onto spacious terraces and patios overlooking the village. The best way to spend your time here? Self-cater in your kitchen, and relax in the solarium. Choose the Puccini Suite to get your own jacuzzi tub.

Built by Venetian engineer Odino Sartori, this hotel is named after the patron saint of Amalfi. He built the property to blend in with the local environment, set on the tip of cliffs between Positano and Praiano. The four-star property offers contemporary Italian design, a decadent spa with steam bath and sauna and a solarium with outdoor pool. The bright rooms are decorated in Amalfi blues and lemons – the fancy Igea Suite even has its own whirlpool.