Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento, Italy
Sorrento’s iconic clifftop grand dame – now run by fifth-generation owner Guido Fiorentino – has enchanted monarchs, politicians, artists and celebrities for over 180 years, and to this day, has an uncanny knack of making every guest feel like a star.
Two acres of lush Mediterranean gardens, the Boutique Spa La Serra (set in a 19th-century greenhouse), and a large outdoor pool are a true escape from the busy town (two minutes’ walk away), and it’s said that ruins of Emperor Augustus’ villa lay beneath the property. Eateries include the elegant Vittoria, poolside Orangerie, and Michelin-starred Terrazza Bosquet, while a swift lift ride connects you to Marina Piccola for explorations out to the islands.