Hotel La Floridiana

Set in a picturesque whitewashed villa dating back to the 19th century, the Hotel La Floridiana has been around for several decades, nowadays featuring a mix of modern and old-fashioned decor. The mostly white lobby has whitewashed walls, white marble floors polished to a high sheen, and white leather sofas, along with a few dark-wood accents and vast windows taking up nearly the whole front wall. Also decorating the space are a grand piano, gold-framed paintings, and display box with curios. An elegant breakfast room is decorated with chocolate marble floors, wooden tables, and distressed rattan chairs, and it has floor-to-ceiling windows and a terrace with a gorgeous panorama of the valley and sea. Also outside is the property's small freeform pool nestled up to a rocky outcrop with blooming plants in shades of violet. Opposite is an ivy-covered archway leading to a wooden terrace with sensational views of the richly forested hills that lead down to the blue Mediterranean. Guests are a mix of English and Italian speakers, majority of which are couples.

Situated in a historic villa at the edge of the town of Capri, the Hotel La Floridiana is a six-minute walk away from the Piazzetta, the social hub of the town, while enjoying the peace and quiet of a far more secluded property. The Giardini di Augusto (botanical gardens) and Saint James' Charterhouse are both just a few minutes away on foot, while the designer shops and classy restaurants of the Via Camarelle are only a minute’s walk away. It is a 16-minute walk down a sloping mountain path to the Faraglioni, or the same journey can be taken by car in five minutes. The Blue Grotto is on the other side of the island, a 21-minute drive away. The journey to Naples takes 90 minutes by ferry. Expect transfers to and from Naples International Airport to take approximately two hours by car and ferry.

All of the Hotel La Floridiana’s rooms are spacious and bright, largely because they have furnished terraces. While the Classic Rooms overlook the pretty pedestrianized street out the front, the rest of the hotel’s 32 rooms have views of the sea. The rooms are outfitted in a similar fashion to the hotels’ communal areas, though they range from more traditional and homey to modern and airy. They feature a quaint mix of gray tile -- some marble -- floors, whitewashed walls, and either modern white or old-fashioned wood furniture. Superior rooms are larger than Classic Rooms, providing a small seating area with a sofa and coffee table, as well as a terrace with a sea view. Junior Suites add a hot tub on the terrace, while Suites sleep up to five people and have large terraces and dining areas. Every room comes with a flat-screen TV, minibar, and kettle. Well-maintained bathrooms have a shower/tub combo, bidet, hairdryer, and free toiletries.

The hotel has a dining room with a terrace offering views over the Mediterranean. A well-reviewed and free continental buffet breakfast with homemade cakes is served here, but no other meals. Light lunches can be ordered at the poolside terrace, and room service is available for dinner. The freeform outdoor pool, nestled in the cliffside, has water features and whirlpool jets, but no separate children’s pool. The poolside terrace has plenty of loungers with personal shades facing the forested hillsides and the sea beyond. On the downside, there are no fitness or spa facilities, although guests can arrange to have a poolside massage. Wi-fi is free throughout the hotel and laundry services are available for a fee. The hotel is pet-friendly, and provides a dog-sitting service.