Luna Convento by Joanna Monkhouse

Founded by St Francis of Assisi in 1222, the Luna Convento was converted from convent to hotel more than 170 years ago. Second in Amalfi only to Santa Caterina, the Luna Convento is currently undergoing a step-by-step process of refurbishment, bringing the hotel up to the higher standard apparent in the rooms that have already been redecorated. Faded florals are being replaced with fabrics that echo the bathroom tiles and the bright colours of the coastline - blue, green and yellow.

Rooms in the original convent have retained their monastical features - vaulted ceilings, thick walls, simple, rustic decoration - and the newer parts of the hotel, such as the annex dating from the 1950s and the recent conversion of the landmark Saracen Tower have copied these features to give a continuous style throughout the Luna Convento. The Tower, on one end of the town’s seafront, is just across the road from the hotel and houses the second restaurant, the pool (a freeform shape maximising available space dug out of the rocks), sea bathing platform and the Tower suite. This round room has fantastic views and enjoys the benefit of seclusion in the evenings when other guests retreat to the main building. The other suites in the hotel are equally impressive, with large, private terraces and split level accommodation. Most rooms have balconies and all have a/c.

The restaurant has a creeper covered ceiling and panoramic coastal views. Long corridors lead to various sitting areas where guests can relax in the shade or catch the sun, including the peaceful cloister - a fine example of Byzantine architecture.