Le Sirenuse by Matthew Barker

Aristocratic Amalfi cliff-hanger. Fabulous interiors have the feel of a noble Neapolitan townhouse, individually designed and decorated with 18th century furniture and objets d’art. Most rooms have a balcony looking out to sea and the enticing beaches down below. Bit of a trek back up though. 58 rooms (two suites). Member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World.

Hotel Attractions: La Sponda restaurant serves local dishes (linguine con scampi al cartoccio; timballo di maccheroni) with panoramic views overlooking the Gulf of Salerno (terrace dining too), and plays host to the School of Traditional Neapolitan Cuisine during the spring and autumn. Usual suspects in the American Bar. Terribly glam swimming pool (with bar) and the fitness centre comes with two saunas and massage facilities. Complimentary hotel boat during summer months.

Local Attractions: Positano has shrugged off its passé jet-setisms in a way St Tropez never quite managed. The vertical village is an engaging enigma and, while it remains a playground for assorted Euro It-errati (and, in the summer at least, an unfortunate magnet for coach-driven hordes) it is, when the mood takes it, capable of drumming up a distinctly mezzogiorno-type hullabaloo. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta dominates the small centre. Shops can be quite tacky, but the small artists’ galleries dotted around are a must. The best restaurants (Buca di Bacco, Il San Pietro, Pupetto) are to be found in hotels, although Spiaggia Rennese worth a punt. Regular hydrofoils to Capri.