The hotel, once the country house of a Roman nobleman, is understated and elegant, its lobby of marble tile floors and Murano glass chandeliers feels more hushed than bustling. The property attracts a low-key, international crowd with a penchant for quiet luxury. Past guests have included actors, writer Gore Vidal, and Italian filmmaker Lina Wertmuller. The hotel sits on lush terraced gardens with lime and lemon trees, wisteria-covered pergolas, and stone urns brimming with flowers. But several guests report that the 10-minute uphill walk to the entrance can be taxing, particularly in the heat of summer. The lobby is pale pink with arched doorways to the terrace. There is a collection of leather and silk upholstered sofas as well as marble-topped tables and a bookcase, lending a formal, rather than relaxed air. The hotel has a restaurant with a terrace and adjacent indoor dining room with exquisite sea views. The cooking school has its own kitchen and dining area, decked out like a tiny country house with checkered table cloths. Although there is space for weddings and meetings, guests do not report excessive noise. 

Ravello is a lovely, chic town set above the Amalfi Coast, about a 15-minute drive down to the sea. The hotel is set between St. Frances Convent and the Clarisse Nunnery. Guests can use the facilities at the two neighboring sister hotels, Villa Eva and Hotel Giordano, one minute and six minutes away on foot, respectively. The town of Ravello has lots of stucco hotels and homes, cobblestone streets, and shops selling wine and colorful, local ceramics. There are several homes, churches, and gardens to tour. Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo -- both with extensive gardens -- are a three and six-minute walk away, respectively. It's an 18-minute drive to Amalfi or an hour in the opposite direction to Positano. Vesuvius is 80 minutes away by car, as is Naples International Airport, traffic permitting. 

Rooms at the Villa Maria Hotel are bright, with windows looking out on the sea or garden. Many have terraces with either small tables and chairs or lounge chairs and dining tables. All rooms have colorful, Vietri-tile floors, flat-screen TVs, and delicate Art Deco or Art Nouveau fixtures. The furniture is antique, and pieces range from burled wood desks to dressers with inlaid wood. The pieces contrast with the brightly hued upholstered headboards, chairs, and sofas, piped in white that inject a dose of fun. All rooms have air-conditioning, minibars, and safes. Bathrooms are small and have dated fixtures such as worn shower/tub combos. Some bathrooms have large white or beige tiles with colorful tile accents, but others are entirely tiled in brightly patterned Vietri ceramic tiles. Some also have small windows with sea views. Hairdryers, robes and slippers, and toiletries are provided. 

The Villa Maria Hotel is one of three properties in the area that have been owned by the same family since the 1930s -- the others are the Villa Eva and Hotel Giordano, one minute and six minutes away on foot, respectively. There's no pool on-site, but guests can use the outdoor pool and whirlpool surrounded by magnolia trees at Hotel Giordano or walk the extensive gardens of Villa Eva and sample pies from its pizza oven. There is also a spa -- the Beauty Center Carla -- shared by all three hotels. It includes a long list of massage, reflexology, facial, and manicure treatments. Villa Maria has two bars and a restaurant that serves meals all day with terrace and indoor dining and expansive views of the coast. The on-site cooking school has its own kitchen and a dining area that overlook the property's organic garden and rock-ceiling chapel. The Villa Maria also has a wine cellar with a barrel-vaulted tile ceiling and a gift shop specializing in local goods. Event space is available for weddings and meetings, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The front desk is staffed 24 hours and includes free luggage storage and concierge services. There is free parking nearby and porters to carry luggage up the rather steep hill to the hotel. Shuttle service to the airport, laundry, babysitting, and room service are all available. Pets are not allowed.