Hotel Villa Alviani Anna (Sorrento, Italy)

An excellent value within ten minutes' stroll of central Sorrento and several bus or train stations, with a lovely, shady lemon garden and free parking available. Plenty of dining and entertainment as well as a laundromat nearby. Breakfast is served daily and includes cereals, fruits, meats and cheeses, yogurt, pastries, coffee and juices.

Clean and well-supplied, the rooms have large balconies/terraces with air conditioning, coffee/tea makers, frosty cold refrigerators and excellent cooking facilities in the handy kitchenettes. Some rooms overlook the garden and pool, and the televisions offer popular Italian channels.

Helpful staff will accommodate your every need. This is a family business so they take their work to heart - don't hesitate to stop at the desk if you should need assistance.

The lovely pool is visually appealing on the grounds, but is sadly not offered for the guests to use - only the owners' family! This seems a bit rude, but don't forget the beach is only a seven-minute stroll away and the picturesque Bagni della Regina Giovanna is just a ten-minute drive.

The bathrooms, towels, carpets, mattresses and bedroom furnishings have seen better days, and the showering facilities may leave you cold - some have found they ran out of hot water quite quickly in these rooms.

The Wi-Fi rarely, if ever, works, so don't depend on it - especially in the evenings. You can get connected, but it does nothing. Best bet: go outside.