Sleepover: Palazzo Sasso, Ravello, Italy

A bed for the night in Italy

Where is it?

Lounging against Italy's Amalfi coast, in the jasmine-scented medieval village of Ravello. It's about an hour's drive from Naples airport.

What's it like?

A former 12th-century palace, now a muted pink five-star hotel with ultra-stylish white interior. Colourful modern paintings (which are for sale) combined with pleasing antiques and tasteful soft furnishings create a feeling of style and splendour. Outside, a majestic series of terraces with wooden loungers, lawns, splashes of flowers and the occasional gushing fountain, trip down the side of the mountain. One has a rather glorious mosaic pool with an underwater window looking out to sea. The roof terrace has two Jacuzzis. You feel very close to heaven, and not just because of the hotel's elevation.

What's its USP?

The view. At 350ft above sea level, it overlooks the Mediterranean and several twists of the Amalfi coast.

Service?

Young, unstuffy and charming staff pull off a perfect combination of professionalism and friendliness which helps create the hotel's relaxed but refined atmosphere.

Rooms?

Thirty-eight rooms, from €258 (£165) to €568, and six suites, from €491 to €1291, depending on the season. The Belvedere suite has its own wisteria-draped sun terrace with dining table overlooking the sea. Some rooms overlook the mountains.

Food and drink?

Pack elasticated waistbands for Rossellinis, the haute cuisine restaurant, where your one regret will be not having the stomach capacity for all your desires, from roasted lobster to milk and cinnamon gnocchi. The Americans got their cameras out. The chef is Raymond Blanc-trained and the sommelier has been voted second best in Italy.

Clientele?

Mainly well-heeled English and Americans.

Things to do?

The village offers two splendid villas, a cathedral, half-a-dozen churches and potential sightings of Gore Vidal, who owns a house here. There is a regular programme of chamber music, and a Wagner festival each summer. Amalfi, Positano, the island of Capri and archaeological sites at Pompeii and Herculaneum are all between 20 minutes and an hour-and-a-half away.

Address?

Palazzo Sasso, 28 Via San Giovanni del Toro, 84010 Ravello (Salerno), Italy (00 39 089 81 81 81; www.palazzosasso.com). Bookings can also be made through Exclusive Destinations (01892 619650).