2 Best Hotels in Conca dei Marini, The Amalfi Coast

One of Italy's most exclusive retreats—in a 17th-century monastery on dramatic coastal cliffs—this boutique hotel has just 20 rooms, all with vaulted ceilings, Italian antiques, modern amenities, sumptuous bathrooms, and dazzling views framed by Mediterranean gardens. With so few people around and so much space, you're likely to feel like a guest at a private villa—one with a fully equipped spa and an astounding infinity pool. The world-class restaurant serves innovative Mediterranean cuisine in a historic dining room or on the terrace, and the spa has a 750-square-foot Thermal Suite set within the ancient walls of the monastery.

Set in a grande-dame villa—featuring salons top-heavy with overstuffed sofas, a ravishing seawater-pool area, and a rocky beach—the tranquil Belvedere is equidistant from Conca dei Marini's lagoon and Saracen Tower and can arrange shuttle service for trips to Amalfi. The decor may be dated, but then this is the sort of place where guests ask for the room their great-grandparents favored. Happily, everyone, not just regulars, is treated like family here, and you'll find it difficult to say goodbye to the remarkably friendly and helpful staff.