SOUTHERN ITALY HOTELS

CAMPANIA • CALABRIA BASILICATA • PUGLIA • SICILY

THERE IS ALMOST no end of opportunities for outdoor activities in the magnificent landscapes of southern Italy. The region as a whole is liberally endowed with wildlife and a rich array of ancient archaeological remains, not least those of the Romans at Pompei and the Greeks in Sicily. The cuisine, too, with its eclectic heritage and diversity of tastes, provides the excuse to dawdle on the coast or in the rustic mountain villages. Though good hotels are not so thick on the ground as in the rest of the country, the choice includes some of the very best, particularly along the stunning Amalfi coast. In contrast is the south’s capital, the anarchic metropolis of Naples, which should not be missed.

Foresteria Baglio della Luna A sturdy medieval tower is at the core of this peaceful country hotel, which offers superb views of Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples. The building has been sympathetically restored to retain much of the original structure; ancient walls surround the garden. Fine food, home-produced wine. Contrada Maddalusa, 92100 Agrigento, Sicilia.

Hotel Luna-Torre Saracena

In the 13th century, St Francis of Assisi chose this glorious spot on the cliff above a Saracen tower for a monastery. His cloister remains, together with some of the medieval buildings, but even the modern additions are charming at this luxurious historic hotel, owned by the same family since 1822. Via P Comite 33, 84011 Amalfi, Salerno.

Hotel Dei Trulli

In pleasant pine-shaded grounds, several conical-roofed trulli are joined to form freestanding apartments with small veranda. Via Cadore 32, 70011 Alberobello, Bari.

Hotel Lidomare

Small B&B hotel on Amalfi’s Piazza del Duomo. Some of the arched, whitewalled bedrooms have views over the sea and Jacuzzis. Largo Ducci Piccolomini 9, 84011 Amalfi, Salerno.

HotelBarbieri

Modern lakeshore hotel with great views of Altomonte, a superb restaurant, new gym and modest but comfortable rooms. Via Italo Barbieri 30, 87042 Altomonte, Cosenza

Grand Hotel San Michele

An imposing villa with huge grounds and several small houses. Kitchen gardens supply the excellent restaurant. Loc. Bosco 8/9, 87022 Cetraro, Cosenza.

Hotel Moderno

Modernity is relative in ancient Erice, but this charming hotel has skillfully blended a 19th-century building with contemporary design and traditional Sicilian crafts. The bedrooms are spacious, the restaurant serves an excellent, wideranging menu and the view from the roof terrace over the tiles is delightful. Via Vittorio Emanuele 63, 91016 Erice, Trapani, Sicilia.

Hotel Elimo

In the centre of the old hill village of Erice, in the same street as the Moderno (see above right), is this picturesque medieval house. It has been brought up to modern standards, with attractive public rooms and individually designed bedrooms, but retains much of its character. Courtyard and roof terrace for idle hours. Via Vittorio Emanuele 75, 91016 Erice, Trapani, Sicilia.

Hotel La Silvana Fasano is a good place from which to explore trulli country, with many examples of the conical-roofed stone houses in the area, and this modern, family-run hotel makes a good base. Many of the spacious, plainly furnished rooms have views; most have a private bathroom. Popular local restaurant. Viale de Pini 87, 72010 Selva di Fasano, Brindisi.

Villa Cenci

Choose between rooms in the cool white villa or those in the traditional trulli. Home-grown vegetables and wine. Via per Ceglie Messapica, 72014 Cisternino, Brindisi

Hotel Masseria Marzalossa Fortified 17th-century farmhouse in olive and citrus groves. Pool, shady courtyards, excellent regional cuisine. Contrada Pezze Vicine 65, 72015 Fasano, Brindisi

Hotel Belvedere

Fabulous views of the Amalfi Coast, and a lift to the seawater pool and beach. Via Smeraldo 19, 84010 Conca dei Marini, Salerno.

Hotel Villa de Pertis

Plain, comfortable and very reasonably priced. Excellent regional food. Walk, cycle, read, think, wind down. Via Ponti 30, 81010 Dragoni, Caserta.

Hotel La Locanda delle Donne Monache

This restored monastery in the centre of the seaside village offers many pleasures, including a charming garden, pool, private beach and a boat. Inside, the foyer’s flamboyance gives way to modern chic in the bedrooms. The restaurant specializes in regional Italian cuisine. Via Carllo Mazzei 4, 85046 Maratea, Potenza.

Hotel Il Melograno

Coolly sophisticated farmhouse hotel, set among olive and lemon groves. Contrada Torricella 345, 70043 Monópoli, Bari.

Hotel Italia

In the heart of the lively old city, a homely, yet immaculate hotel with a delightful garden. Superb value for money. Via Ridola 5, 75100 Matera.

Hotel Santavenere

Splendidly set amid lawns and trees which sweep down to the rocky shore on the edge of Maratea, the low, arcaded Santa Venere exudes an air of quiet sophistication. The spacious, tastefully furnished rooms all have a terrace or balcony with views of this startlingly beautiful, wild stretch of coast. Via Fiumicello di Santa Venere, 85046 Maratea.

Hotel Raya

Modern and stylish, this eye-catching cascade of pink and white bungalows stretches down from the island village to the sea. Inside, ethnic art from Polynesia, Africa and Asia abounds. All rooms have sea views and terraces; the open-air restaurant overlooks the port. No young children. Via San Pietro, 98050 Panarea, Messina.

Romantik Hotel Villa Cheta Elite

This lavish Art Nouveau confection of ochre and cream stucco is perched high on the clifftop, with dizzying views over one of Italy’s most spectacular stretches of coast. Excellent cuisine and carefully chosen antiques and paintings reflect the best of life during the heyday of the Grand Tour. Via Timponi 46, 85041 Acquafredda di Maratea, Potenza.

Hotel Casa Albertina

A popular town-centre hotel, imaginatively decorated with local crafts. Bedrooms have sea views. Half-board in high season. Via della Tavolozza 3, 84017 Positano, Salerno.

Hotel Albania

Stylish modern hotel, ultra-efficient and spotlessly clean, with light and airy rooms and a seafood restaurant. Via S Francesco di Paola 10, 73028 Otranto, Lecce.

Hotel Baia Paraelios

Holiday-camp style, but without the razzmatazz. This attractive, child-friendly hotel on the far southern toe of Italy consists of 72 small bungalows, sprawled across a wooded hill by a picture-postcard bay of white sand and dazzling blue sea. There are three pools, an open-air bar and a seaside terrace dining room. Fornaci, 89861 Parghelia, Catanzaro.

Hotel Palumbo

A lovingly restored 12th-century palazzo, with lavish décor and superb food. Past guests include Wagner, DH Lawrence and JFK. Via San Giovanni del Toro 16, 84010 Ravello.

Hotel Mille Pini

This neat, simple, friendly chalet sits at the foot of the chairlift up to Monte Rotondo, the highest point in the Apennines. Via Pescara 2, 67038 Scanno, L’Aquila.

Hotel Masseria San Domenico

A fortified refugeturned- country house, now a hotel with spa. NLitoranea 379, 72010 Savelletri di Fasano, Brindisi.

Hotel Sierra Silvana

Comfortable country hotel consisting of a cluster of modern buildings around an imposing four-room trulli. Via D Bartolo Boggia 5, 72010 Selva di Fasano, Brindisi.

Hotel San Giorgio

A handsome 17th-century cardinal’s palace, now a family-run village hotel, with fine views and a lively atmosphere. Via Citarelli 8, 89049 Stilo, Reggio di Calabria.