Maison Tofani

Maison Tofani is a small relais in a restored 18th-century Neapolitan palace on Via San Cesareo, in the historic centre of Sorrento in the Campania region of Italy. Via San Cesareo is one of the main pedestrian shopping streets of the old town, so the hotel sits within a short walk of Piazza Tasso, the cathedral, the restaurants and the lanes of the centro storico. Marina Piccola, where ferries leave for Capri, Ischia and the Amalfi Coast, is reached on foot or by a short downhill route, and the Circumvesuviana railway station is also close.

The building is a former palazzo, and the restoration keeps its courtyard setting and a historic breakfast room, which gives the relais a grander, more atmospheric feel than a modern hotel. Rooms are limited in type, with Loft Rooms and Flexible Rooms available, the latter adapted for different group sizes.

Shared spaces include a breakfast room and terrace, a rooftop solarium that offers views over the roofs and, on clear days, the bay, a tea room and a drinks room. The courtyard setting and the tea room make the house suited to quiet evenings, while the town's restaurants and bars are close by. The relais also offers wedding coordination, reflecting the popularity of Sorrento as a destination for weddings in Italy.

The service character is that of a boutique house: personal reception, help with tours and transfers, and recommendations for local restaurants. Rates start from about EUR 200 (about USD 230) per night, with higher prices in the summer months. The central position is the principal advantage; its drawbacks are that the old town can be busy and noisy on summer evenings, and that there is no pool or private beach. Visitors who want to swim usually use the sea platforms near Marina Piccola or take a boat trip. Vehicles are restricted in parts of the historic centre, so arrival by taxi from the station or port is the usual option.