Nicole

Frank- if you are looking for wonderful hotels and pools with a view of spectacular scenery, it is hard to beat the Amalfi Coast. Several come to mind. None of these are cheap, but since you mentioned this is not a problem, you couldn't go wrong with the following: I recommend Palazzo Sasso and Villa Cimbrone in Ravello. Cimbrone has no restaurant or pool, but it has magnificent gardens and views (more like an upscale B&B). Palazzo Sasso is full service and beautiful. In Positano, Le Sirenuse has the ultimate pool with a view of the sea and town. Fantastic service here, too (I honeymooned here and at Cimbrone). Also in Positano, but across the bay, is Hotel San Pietro (a Relais & Chateau property). It has great rooms and service, but the pool area is not quite as dramatic as at Sirenuse in my opinion. Finally, a hotel in this area I have always planned to visit but have not yet is Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi. It is supposed to be wonderful (along the same lines as Sirenuse, I think). If you want to leave the mainland, you could ferry over to Capri to La Scallinatella or Hotel Punta Tragara- both with clifftop pools and views. The amalfi coast region is very dramatic and romantic, and the hotels are first rate. For an article on romantic amalfi coast hotels, see Travel and Leisure's article from May 1997 ("By the Sea..."). It has great pictures, too. Good luck and congrats!