La Minerva, Capri, Italy

One of Capri’s gems, a luxury boutique hotel of only 18 rooms, La Minerva is stylishly decorated in shades of white, cream, ecru and pale blue. The charming family who own and run the hotel have captured the essence of Capri summers and offer at La Minerva the best quality/value on the island.

La Minerva is positioned just 10 minutes walk from the Piazzetta in a tranquil part of Capri town, where a host of fabulous restaurants and shops can be found.

The facilities

Sea views abound from La Minerva's spacious reception area. Breakfast is served either in the rooms on the private balcony of terrace, on the sunny roof terrace or in a small breakfast area downstairs.

The swimming pool is a fine addition to the boutique hotel alongside the one nearby that can be used by the day.

The rooms

The boutique hotel's 18 rooms, all recently renovated, are distributed on five floors gently sloping toward the sea. The spacious and elegant rooms have kept the beauty of the old Caprese architecture with their cross vaults and bright ceramic floors. The terraces have a view of the sea and are partially shaded by the typical arches or by pergolas, or by blooming buganvillea plants.

Vaulted ceilings, heavy linen bedcovers and a few antiques provide extra character, whilst blue and white tiled floors and white slip-covered chairs breathe an airy freshness into the rooms. All of Minerva's Rooms are furnished with private baths, air conditioning, satellite TV and telephone with an outside line. Furthermore, most of the terraces have comfortable sun loungers.

Bathrooms have baths and showers, and deluxe rooms have Jacuzzis with sea views.