Italy's Ravello Offers Coastal Luxury

Pool and gardens: The main pool area is located at the foot of the hotel within a grassy outdoor lounge with terraced gardens. The pool is framed by views of the Mediterranean and three rows of teak lounge chairs. It has an infinity edge with an indoor section that acts like a Roman bath pavilion.

The hotel's staff offers juice and fresh fruit to lounging guests twice an hour. Sun worshippers pass the afternoon wandering the terraced gardens, which is home to a small fitness area. During cooler months, there's also a rooftop solarium with three Jacuzzi pools and a Turkish bath.

Two-star Michelin: While many five-star hotels in Italy offer restaurants with Michelin Guide ratings, few have eateries with two stars like Palazzo Sasso. Under the helm of chef Pino Lavarra, Rossellinis Restaurant serves an intricate dinner menu of squid-stuffed ravioli, rose-wrapped lamb and olive-crusted cod that's a destination in its own right.

Dishes are served inside an aristocratic dining room with tumbled-stone floors, 12-foot ceilings and a wine cellar. During the summer, the outdoor terrace is the place to be for sunset views and romantic dinners under the stars.

The beach: This year, Palazzo Sasso debuted Sasso by the Beach, a waterfront club that's a short drive from the main property. The club, the first of its kind in Ravello, trades sand for a saltwater pool, full-service restaurant and a lounge. From there, you can spend an afternoon enjoying the sea from a rocky shore.

The cost: The high season in Ravello extends from early May through mid-October. Standard rooms start at 330 euros ($475) and suites go for 850 euros ($1,225). For the best deals, travel in the less-crowded early spring, when prices drop by 25%.

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