La Fenice

The spectacular Amalfi coast offers a wide variety of accommodation, yet few as special as La Fenice—as fantastic as the mythological bird for which it is named. Guests leave their cars on the main road and climb the arbored steps to discover the white villa hidden amid lush Mediterranean vegetation. Costantino and Angela heartily welcome new arrivals on the shady front terrace, where a basic continental breakfast is served each clement morning. Seven luminous bedrooms, three with terrace and marvelous sea views, the others with lateral sea or no sea view, are simply and sparsely furnished with an occasional antique armoire or bureau in a wing off the family’s home. Eight more rooms of varying dimensions, most with terraces, reached by many steps down from the road, are built separately into the side of the cliff and have colorful, tiled floors and similar furnishings. Descending yet more steps, you’ll come to the curved seawater pool and Jacuzzi carved against the rock (open June to October), where an occasional salad or sandwich is served during summer months (at an extra cost). A coastal boat tour (pick-up at La Fenice’s beach) including a stop for lunch can be arranged. This property has few or no amenities in the rooms, but is a natural wonder, cascading down to the sea and a small private beach.