Mr & Mrs Smith

We had the best holiday we've ever had at Maison La Minervetta Hotel – it’s fab! I strongly suggest booking room three; it’s the best in the hotel with amazing views. The hotel recommended the best restaurant, Inn Buffalito (www.innbufalito.it/), which had a lovely rustic setting, delicious food and we were well taken care of.

Five minutes' walk from Sorrento, this small, chic and intimate hotel commands the most spectacular views over the Bay of Naples. We arrived to a warm welcome by Florianna who appears to be the lynchpin of the place, always there and always on hand to help with advice about where to see or where to eat etc. Our room, room 6, was beautiful and spotless with a fantastic window offering the most panoramic views. The communal areas of the hotel are amazing. From the minute you walk in the door from the outside there are photographs, interesting artwork and a wealth of local and colourful pottery. There is also a huge array of what we would call coffee table books. The kitchen is amazing and kitted out in modern stainless steel but these hard features are then softened by mainstream blue and white tiles interspersed by bright and cheerful majolica bursts of colour.

While in Sorrento you must go to Capri and hire a boat from Capri Whales (ask at the hotel for details). There's a grocer’s shop a couple of doors up from the boat rental, where they make excellent sandwiches for a picnic, and then you become master and commander of the seas as you circumnavigate the island (you can also do this with a guide). Only once did we go to a restaurant that had not been recommended by the hotel, and that was a mistake, so make sure you ask. The staff are only too keen to help.

Book a table at Il Buco a few weeks before your trip to Sorrento. This Michelin star restaurant has a gorgeous setting under ancient arches with an incredibley romantic atmosphere and excellent service. The tables outside, more casual than those inside, are set in a pretty walled courtyard and are beautifully candle lit. Both the food (we had the taster menu) and the wine were delicious - the best we had during our stay in Italy.

Il Bufalito in Sorrento was recommended by the hotel staff and a great find. The food is locally sourced and, as the name may suggest, buffalo mozzarella is a house speciality and a must-try! It has a fun genuine Italian bustle and is suitably tucked away from the main tourist trawl.

We went to one restaurant while we were in Rome, which I highly recommend. It was suggested to us by the hotel staff and is called Grano (www.ristorantegrano.it; + 39 (0)66 819 2096), situated by Piazza Rondanini, close to Piazza Navona. They served Italian cuisine at its finest, but not over-priced. The clientele was a mixture of locals and tourists, the staff were very helpful, and the place itself was charming, with great atmosphere. The food really was superb, it was a great experience.

Il Delfino (just at the bottom of the hotel steps) is the perfect spot for a long lunch overlooking the bay – get an outdoor table running down the side of the indoor section. Fantastic fresh seafood and family run atmosphere – the house white is also excellent (better than most others we had from other restaurants by the bottle). Make sure you visit Il Buco, wonderful food and great service but with a relaxed feel (+39 (0)81 878 2354). The tasting menu and wine matching was amazing. Unfortunately we didn't visit until our last night, otherwise we would have been back several times, as the à la carte menu looked as if it was relatively good value for the amazing standard of food).

Make sure you find the time to visit Capri. Jump in a taxi at the port and head straight to Anacapri, the pretty little village in the hills above Capri town. From here you can take a chairlift up to the peak of Monte Solaro where the views are amazing. It’s a 30-minute walk back to Anacapri (or 10 minutes on the chairlift) where you can spend time looking around Villa San Michele. If you have the energy, there are 1000 steps, starting from the museum in Anacapri, which lead down to Capri town. It takes about an hour but the views are fantastic. Reward yourself with a glass of prosecco in the main piazza while you watch the ‘beautiful people’ shopping.

Try the sunbathing platform at Delfino in Marina Grande (+39 (0)81 878 2038) below - avoids an unsavoury dash for the limited beds at the hotel and the refreshing sea breeze makes for fantastic sunbathing. Lovely seafood lunch and local wines on tap!

Don't confine yourself to simply looking at the amazing views of the Bay of Naples from La Minervetta, become part of the scenery too by taking a boat trip to the beautiful little island of Capri. After only 20 minutes by hydrofoil and a quick hop in the funicular, you can relax in one of the cafés in the square and people-watch, browse the great shops there, or just enjoy the spectacular sea views.

The town of Ravello near Sorrento is worth the trip and, while there, eat at Cumpa Cosimo, for great local food and great atmosphere.