Hotel Jaccarino is a dated, mid-range hotel with a location that affords stellar views and quick access to the town of Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi. Some travelers find the old-fashioned decor charming and atmospheric, though some furnishings are undoubtedly worn. The 85 rooms here are simple and done in a traditional style, outfitted with flat-screen TVs, bidets, and hairdryers. Some, but not all, have balconies. An outdoor pool and snack bar are popular thanks to their lovely sea vistas, and the indoor Italian restaurant serves regional dishes in a space with panoramic windows. All rates include a buffet breakfast. The hotel provides free shuttle service to Sorrento throughout the day, and Wi-Fi is free across the property. Travelers wanting to be within walking distance of Sorrento should consider Conca Park Hotel.

The 91-room Hotel Punta Negra is a three-pearl property in a stunning seaside location a 15-minute drive from Alghero. It's surrounded by a peaceful pine forest, and the hotel is perfectly positioned to take in amazing views of the sea. Rooms range from dated to near-modern, and are decorated in Mediterranean hues. All come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and minibars plus balconies or terraces -- some offer spectacular sea views. There's a restaurant and bar, and two outdoor pools overlook the sea with a private beach for hotel guests. Tennis is also available, and many activities and excursions can be arranged. Travelers looking to be closer to the action in Alghero should consider Hotel Domomea -- it's not on the beach but it will be cheaper.

Set in an 18th-century palace with commanding views over the Piedmontese countryside from multiple vantage points, sumptuous barely begins to describe the five-pearl Castello di Guarene. It has staggeringly ornate wallpaper and frescoes, crystal chandeliers, and sculpted formal gardens that create an elegant, traditional atmosphere. The 12 rooms at the Castello are decorated with a Mannerist intricacy, and modern touches like rainfall showers sit alongside antique furniture and canopied beds. Down in the old tunnels below the castle is the hotel’s spa, which has treatment rooms, hydrotherapy showers, and an indoor pool inside a cave hewn from the bedrock that the castle sits on. This is a magnificent stay, but it comes at a steep price.

The two-pearl Hotel Herculaneum is a stylish budget-friendly boutique hotel ideally located across the road from the Ercolano Ruins. Guests mostly come here to explore the historical excavations, or to use it as a central point for visiting nearby villages like Pompeii, Naples, and Sorrento. The 19 guest rooms are modern with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi -- some rooms have views of the ruins across the road. Features are mostly limited to a free hot buffet breakfast, with no full on-site restaurant or bar available. The reception staff are able to assist with tourist information as well as local tour bookings. As an alternative, guests can also consider Andris Hotel which is located in the Vesuvio National Park and includes a restaurant and swimming pool for slightly higher rates.

No property better brings in the atmosphere of Ischia, known for its stunning gardens and beachy coast, than the Botania Relais & Spa. This One Michelin Key property has 48 rooms spread across ten villas. The artfully overgrown landscaping makes each corner of the resort feel like a private escape, perfect for guests who value peace and relaxation.
Travelers should note that getting around this property requires a lot of walking and the ability to climb stairs or steep inclines