Albergo Miramare by Joanna Monkhouse

Albergo Miramare was one of the first boutique hotels in Positano, Italy and has been welcoming its guests since 1946. The pretty, dark red building is built on the steep hillside of the village and is accessible only by way of the scalinatella (staircase) - descending a couple of flights of steps from the road (some parking is available). With only 15 rooms, the atmosphere in this small boutique hotel is intimate and personal, aided by the warm and friendly staff.

The facilities

There is no restaurant but breakfast is served in the veranda room with large windows which are opened so the sun shines in and the sea breeze mingles with the scent of flowers covering the ceiling. The small salon adjacent has pale yellow sofas and a fireplace to hole up in front of on cooler days. Even the small lobby has a tiny balcony and double doors opening out onto the impressive sea view for a welcome that will set your stay in this quaint boutique hotel off to a good start.

The rooms

All rooms at the Albergo Miramare have a sea view and private terraces with pots of geraniums, and at only 100m from the beach the boutique hotel’s terraces feel as if they are directly over the sea. Room 209 has a glass wall above the bath and Room 210 has a shower with a floor to ceiling window over the bay, along with a glass wall in the bedroom opening onto the largest of the private terraces. Floors are tiled in terracotta, the walls are whitewashed, and all the furniture at this boutique hotel are antiques, with gilded wall sconces and attractive fabrics. Air conditioning and TVs are standard.