Sorrento is the almost-unreal clifftop town, standing as the proud gateway to the Amalfi Coast. When God authored beauty, it was surely perfected on this stretch of coastline, where villages cling to the cliffs, yachts criss-cross the azure waters, and the world’s tastiest lemons are plucked. 

Among the line of stately palazzi and historic buildings lining Sorrento’s cliffs, Hotel Mediterraneo is one of the most impressive. The six-storey building gazes over the dramatic ocean vista, with a series of surprises waiting for its guests. Originally built as a large family home in 1912, additional stories were added for tourism. The Maresca-Monti family have been the proud stewards of the hotel, and on a recent trip exploring the enviable strip of coastline, I experienced their authentic Italian hospitality.

The welcome

“Would you like a glass of Prosecco?” It was an immediate yes, given the impressive summer heat that was baking down. We’d landed in Naples and taken the scenic train trip over to Sorrento – walking into the hotel’s bright and air-conditioned atrium was the welcome we needed. Sitting at the bar, our host Francesca gave us a brief introduction to the hotel before heading up to our room to freshen up.

The room

The 60 hotel rooms and suites branch off from the central glass lift and marble staircase, which graciously spirals up the grand building. Our fourth-floor sea-view room was a spoil – striking azure wall accents paired with crisp white, then topped with touches of decadent gold. The window framed a handsome piece of the sweeping view across the Bay of Naples, with a glimpse of Mt. Vesuvius in the distance. I must have stood for 10 minutes, transfixed by the shimmer…

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