Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

Few accommodations can match the Old World charm and sophistication of the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, a breathtaking pre-unification lodging that gestures operatically toward the Bay of Naples from atop its Sorrento cliff-top perch. Roman columns, unearthed during the site's excavation circa 1830, stand proudly within the private citrus groves that ring the hotel.

Famous guests include German composer Richard Wagner and Irish wit Oscar Wilde, along with monarchs from across the continent. It figures. Ceiling frescoes and classic Roman sculpture - spread generously among the Excelsior Vittoria's rooms, suites, and public areas - would have made them feel right at home.

So too will you, given the hotel's accommodating staff, exquisite cuisine, and list of modern amenities. Seasonal Italian dishes are enjoyed in the ornate Vittoria dining room, or al fresco on the Bousquet Terrace, while the hotel's luxury spa offers a comprehensive range of treatments.