Hotel Marina Riviera, Amalfi Coast

• This family-run seafront hotel has been an Amalfi mainstay since the days of the 19th-century "Grand Tour."
• The views here are spectacular, particularly from the rooftop terrace with its heated pool, loungers, and bar.
• Rooms are airy and bright, with picture windows or sea-view balconies, high ceilings, Frette linens, and marble bathrooms.
• Thoughtful extras include a welcome bottle of wine and a "beach bag" with flip flops and Frette beach towels.
• The on-site restaurant serves elevated seafood dishes on a scenic terrace facing Amalfi and the Gulf of Salerno.

• Just one of the 34 rooms lacks a sea view, so make sure you specify your choice upon booking.
• There's elevator access to all floors, but the hotel isn't wheelchair accessible, and it's not a good fit for travelers with limited mobility.

Authenticity

This four-story hotel has been an Amalfi landmark since the 19th century, when it welcomed well-heeled travelers on their European "Grand Tour" (including the father of modern tourism, Thomas Cook). Passed down through distant family over the years, today it's owned by the Gargano-Gambardellas, whose sympathetic renovations have preserved the building's Belle Époque charms while updating the interiors with space and light. Vietri-tiled floors, colourful ceramics, and tasteful antiques fill the airy common rooms, while the many sun-soaked terraces are dotted with lush greenery and flowers. 

Location

The Marina Riviera sits on the last curve of the coastal road into Amalfi, opposite the town's pebbled beach and the sea. You can stroll to the central Piazza Duomo (home to the medieval Amalfi Cathedral) in under 5 minutes, or walk to the port in 10, where ferries connect with Positano, Salerno, and Capri. The Piazza Municipio bus stop (with service to neighboring coastal villages) is just around the corner from the hotel, as is the entrance to a pedestrian tunnel that links Amalfi with nearby Atrani in just 10 minutes. There's no parking available on-site, but private (though often busy) garages are within walking distance.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Each of the 34 air-conditioned rooms has a fresh, airy feel, with stark white walls, hand-painted Vietri tile floors, and coral and cobalt soft furnishings adding marine-inspired splashes of color. Beds are dressed with crisp, white Frette linens, and marble bathrooms are large and bright, with Frette robes and Carthusia toiletries (made in nearby Capri). Standard units are the simplest and smallest; upgrade to a Deluxe for more space, a large soaking tub, and a sea-facing balcony, or nab one of the Suites for dual aspect views, furnished terraces with Jacuzzis, or separate seating areas.

Amenities

For the best views over the coast, climb to the rooftop terrace where you can take a dip in the heated plunge pool, relax in the steam room and solarium, or sip a spritz by the poolside bar. Downstairs, the Terrazza 17 restaurant serves light meals and aperitivi on the main terrace, with panoramic vistas across Amalfi and the Gulf of Salerno, before transitioning to a dinner menu featuring lots of local seafood and an extensive wine list. Breakfast is served on the same terrace, with an above-average buffet spread that includes local cakes, pastries, eggs cooked to order, and excellent cappuccinos.

Family-Friendliness

Children are welcome at Marina Riviera. Several interconnecting rooms are available, and extra beds can be added at an additional cost. Larger families might want to book the new Eolo Apartment, located next door to the main hotel, which features one bedroom, a double sofa bed, and a kitchenette.