Hotel Alfonso a Mare is a family hotel which is located in one of the most enchanting bays of the Amalfi Coast between Amalfi and Positano in the small fishing village of Marina di Praia, a part of Praiano. The hotel has a perfect location in the middle of the beach just meters from the crystal clear sea. On their terrace overlooking the sea fresh fish is served as well as delicious pizza.

Locals and fisherman

Tourists are often unaware of this bay and you also find there mostly Italians and locals. From your hotel room you walk on the pebble beach into the sea and you pull out you can eat at the delicious restaurant or go nicely with a bottle of wine sitting by the water.

From your hotel room you walk straight on to the beach

The hotel has an incredibly good position, in the middle of the bay of Marina di Praia and directly on the beach just meters from the sea. From your hotel room you actually walk on to the beach and crystal clear water.

One part of the hotel is carved into a rock

Hotel Alfonso a Mare is consists of two buidlings. The part of the hotel where the restaurant is, in the middle of the beach, this is the red colored building. They also have another part of the hotel carved into the rock, this is the white colored part of the hotel. So it’s both the same owner and it’s called both Alfonso a Mare, but it is not attached to each other.

Tableware in colors of the Amalfi Coast

Breakfast is an Italian festa in itself. You will have your breakfast in the shady part of the restaurant where large windows and doors swing open to the sea. You can enjoy a nice cool breeze during hot summer days here.  I am a huge fan of all the bright colored tableware from Vietri sul Mare, with its Mediterranean colors. If you also like this then you’ve come to the right place

Breakfast at an old fishing boat

Your breakfast is displayed on an old fishing boat and beautifully colored plates are waiting for you. Fresh breads, spreads, fruits, yogurt, eggs and whatever you want. If something is not there, just ask and they will bring you what you need.

Sea view and balcony

All rooms have views on the bay and sea. Personally, I prefer the rooms in the white building because I can see the entire bay with it’s local beachlife and the fischerman, the coming and going of the boats on the corner of the bay and whats happening in the restaurant. I can just sit on my little balcony for hours! The rooms in this part are a bit simpler but I always go for the atmosphere. The rooms are clean and there is everything you need, also a fridge.

Nightlife here is Italian streetlife

The word ‘nightlife’ for me does not really fit into the Southern Italian culture because everything happens on the streets anyway. People have drinks on terraces, sitting on ols walls eating ice creams and of and obviously they sit to eat outside until late at night. Besides the restaurant of Alfonso a Mare, there are a number of other restaurants where you can eat well.

Dance into the night if you want

If you want to dance into the night then walk to l’Africana.  The kind of Italian club where you can eat and dance, very common in Italia. You walk to the right along the rocks and follow a narrow path and you can see for yourself. In the bay itself you actually have absolutely no disturbance from the disco at all. It’s fun to watch the beautiful people dressed up on their way to the disco, from your balcony.

A car or scooter is useful to explore the Amalfi Coast

If you just want to stay on the beach you don’t need any transportation then your own feet in this beautiful bay. However, if you want to explore the Amalfi Coast while you are there you need a car or scooter. Yes, I know, the Amalfi Coast has a reputation, so If you don’t want to drive, at the entrance of the hotel there is a bus stop to go to Positano, Amalfi and other places. But, while you are there, you can also take a taxi boat to other places, more fun, more expensive, but the views on Amalfi Coast from the see are uncomparable.