One of the most luxurious Positano hotels with fabulous views over the bay We couldn’t have put it better than John Steinbeck, who said of Le Sirenuse and Positano, “It bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you’re there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone”. We at Secretplaces are a bit more prosaic. What a view, what a place! As if the fabulous panoramas overlooking the bay of Sirens, in one of Italy’s most charismatic resort towns, weren’t enough, Le Sirenuse can lay claim to being one of the finest hotels in the region.

The number of awards it has won – Best World Hotel (Condé Nast); Best Italian Hotel, Best Europe Hotel (Travel and Leisure), et al are evidence of that. Granted, it is not cheap but this privately owned hotel oozes an understated charm and luxurious elegance that is pure Italy, having managed to retain the ambience of a noble 18th century summer residence - which is how it started off life. Valuable antiques and local works of art, collected over the years by the veritable Sersale family, plants and bougainvillea sprinkled liberally throughout, bedrooms decorated in a classical Italian style all add up to a pretty impressive stay. Naughty little pleasures include a Jacuzzi in each bedroom and (in most cases) balconies from which to enjoy the wonderful views. The Spa facilities are also first class. Furthermore, there’s a private beach, superb outdoor swimming pool, and a number of sports facilities are available to guests.

Dining here is another of the high points of a stay at Le Sirenuse (though please see our observations as the restaurant is not open all year round). There’s something wonderful in enjoying a high-class meal with views to die for as a background. In our opinion the words spoken by John Steinbeck all those years ago still ring true today.