Via Croce 4, Capri, Italy
Intimate hotel with lovely grounds and sweeping sea views
Located a short walk from the Piazzetta
Bright guest rooms with simple, elegant decor
All units have AC, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges
Many rooms open to furnished balconies
Pretty breakfast room with an outdoor terrace
Free breakfast buffet
Open-air fitness area with views
Free Wi-Fi throughout
No full restaurant or bar
Uphill walk back from town
Guest rooms lack kettles/coffeemakers
Elevator doesn't access the second floor
Villa Helios is a three-pearl hotel located in a quiet spot close to the Piazzetta, with lovely grounds that feel secluded and have sweeping sea views. Its 12 guest rooms have simple, traditional decor with elegant accents, and many open to a communal terrace or to private balconies, though not all overlook the water. Most are also spacious, and all come with AC, flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, but they lack coffeemakers or kettles. Breakfast is included, served in an indoor dining room or on an outdoor terrace, but there's no full-service restaurant or bar on-site. The property is only open seasonally -- it's worth comparing rates with the Capri Wine Hotel, which has its own wine bar.
Scene
Attractive villa with relaxing gardens for couples and other leisure travelers
Villa Helios has a unique architectural style that mixes the cream-colored walls of a classic Italian villa with Arabesque influences and decorative blue tiles. It's situated off a narrow cobbled road, with wrought iron gates and a long, vine-covered walkway that leads to the main doors. Other pleasant paths and terraces span the lovely garden grounds, accentuated by flowerbeds at the base of ancient-looking stone walls. The lobby has attractive stone floors, with a small seating area decorated with a mix of classic and trendy, modern decor, and there's a wall map of Capri. The hotel is popular with couples and tourists looking for a stay that's a short walk from the Piazzetta with rates that won't break the bank.
Location
Centrally located, a five-minute walk to Piazzetta
Villa Helios is in a convenient location off a winding, narrow road near the island’s social epicenter. Capri’s famous Piazzetta is only a five-minute walk from the hotel, though the walk back is partially uphill. The narrow roads in between are lined with boutiques and restaurants. It’s about a 20-minute walk to the beaches at the base of the Faraglioni rocks and Villa Jovis. The ancient ruins of Emperor Tiberius' palace is also roughly 20 minutes on foot. It's about a 15-minute walk to the funicular that connects to the Port of Marina Grande, where visitors can catch ferries to Sorrento and Naples.
Rooms
Bright rooms with mini-fridges open to sunny outdoor spaces
The hotel has 12 air-conditioned rooms with blue or terracotta tile floors, white walls, and colorful fabrics. Furniture, artwork, and color palettes vary slightly, but all have ornate wall mirrors and wardrobe closets. Standard rooms are generally spacious, and they have double or two twin beds and seating areas with armchairs. Some units have small desks, and upgraded rooms add couches. Most units open to a communal terrace or to a private furnished balcony, many with sea views though some face the city. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, along with flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, but there are no coffeemakers or kettles. The bathrooms are basic, with colorful tile, bidets, and either small walk-in showers or shower/tub combos.
Features
Garden terrace, free breakfast, and outdoor fitness area, but no full restaurant
The hotel's main feature is its pleasant garden grounds with views over the city and the sea beyond. Oddly, one of the most exciting views is from a small terrace that serves as an open-air fitness area, where free weights and a cardio bike can be found under a pavilion. There's no full-service restaurant or bar on-site, but a free breakfast buffet is served inside a casual dining room, or guests can opt to eat outside on the garden terrace. Wi-Fi is free throughout. Guests with limited mobility should be aware that the hotel's elevator doesn't service the second floor.