Marmorata Hotel by Joanna Monkhouse

On the coast between Amalfi and Maiori (and not up the hill in Ravello as one might think from the address), near the small village of Minori, an old paper mill has been converted into the Marmorata Hotel, still run by the milling family. The décor takes its inspiration from the yachting world and the rooms feature original pieces from boats and ships. Radios are fixed into the wall, and six crackling stations can be chosen by pressing buttons, but TVs and minibar are standard. The soft furnishings do not always coordinate with the dark wooden beds with brass fittings and attached side tables. The bathrooms are small, most with a shower and lacking baths. The windows descend to floor level and fold down in the middle, offering sea views, but only a few rooms have balconies or terraces. These include the junior suites, reached from the terrace up a narrow staircase, offering superior accommodation and small private gardens. Their bathrooms are built into the hillside, with attractive, bare rock walls.

The marine theme continues in the communal areas with framed knots on the walls, books about shipping and nautical lighting. The salon has heavy, leather Chesterfield sofas and chairs with rugs on the tiled floors. There are conference facilities for small groups. The restaurant serves mediocre Italian and international cuisine but in summer there is an outdoor terrace with a pizza oven and frequent barbecues. The breakfast room looks out over the sea and the six-sided pool, built to maximize its size on the small area available. There is also a sea bathing platform and several small sundecks on different levels.

The views and the coastal location are the advantages of the Marmorata Hotel but the building itself is uninspiring and the nautical décor is something you will either love or loathe.