Palazzo Murat by Joanna Monkhouse

The king of Naples chose this palace in Positano as his summer residence nearly 200 years ago. Many of the original architectural features of the magnificent building were retained during the renovation several years ago when it was turned into a hotel. The calm and pretty garden is overflowing with bougainvillea and jasmine and often hosts chamber music concerts in the summer months. Breakfast is served alfresco on the patio every morning and the restaurant ‘Al Palazzo’ is popular in the evenings where both guests and non-residents dine beneath the palm trees with the scent of flowers on the breeze.

Of the 30 rooms at Palazzo Murat, the most popular are the 5 in the old section, with French doors that open onto small balconies with views of Positano’s bay, although some of the third floor rooms in the new section benefit from the vista too. The remainder overlook the garden. The fresh and inviting atmosphere at Palazzo Murat is enhanced by the airy rooms - those in the new wing are predominantly white with one colour as an accent, picked out in the moulded plaster head boards and tiled floors, whilst those in the original C18th section feature the high ceilings and antique furniture of that time.

The friendly staff make this a appealing choice, along with the quiet but central location - just a short walk from Santa Maria Assumpta, the church in the main square, Palazzo Murat is truly in the heart of the village, nestled amongst the small boutiques that line the cobbled alleys. The beach is very close, a good thing as there is no pool. The hotel has its own boat that can be chartered for trips along the coast.