We stayed at La Locanda for the first week of our honeymoon. From the moment we arrived it was clear that this hotel was very special. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful throughout our stay - it really added a lot to our enjoyment. The hotel itself is quite unique, a maze of complicated corridors decorated with Cuban artwork throughout. Our room had lovely views and was absolutely perfect. The food in the restaurant was entirely sublime and our entire week was made so much more enjoyable beacuse of all of this. There is plenty to see and do in the surrounding areas including a stunning coastline, plenty of culture in all the local towns and villages and the beautiful national park. We will definitely be returning to celebrate our anniversary!

It being the first time we had been abroad with our daughter (17 months) it was a delight to find such superb, personalised service.

The staff could not have done more to make us feel relaxed, taken care of and welcome. They doted on our daughter and were happy to warm milk (and even supply it on one occasion when we found we had run out), supply her with mini chocolate eggs (we were there around Easter) and even cut her drinking straw down to fit her juice glass.

The rooms were lovely - light, airy, clean with breathtaking views of the mountains and town. The terrace and pool area were sumptious and many an hour was spent relaxing there with a G&T whilst our toddler pottered around the deck.

We will definately be going back!!

This hotel was the icing on the cake --a perfect, restful ending to a busy 2 week driving tour through Sicily. We took our car on the ferry from Messina and spent our last weekend in Maratea. I would add that October is a great month to go -- the tourist season is really winding down in the area and the prices go down substantially. We were upgraded to a large room with a fabulous view looking out over the whole town. Everything is spotlessly clean, nice luxurious bathroom, very comfortable bed. The staff is gracious and very helpful. As others have noted, the artwork is very interesting and also the Moroccan-themed furniture in the hallways. The buffet breakfast is very good with large selection. We ate in the restaurant one night -- excellent food but very limited menu and we found it a bit too formal and stuffy for our taste. We prefer eating in places frequented by locals and found the perfect spot in town, Taverna Rovita, which has fabulous food and more variety, all homemade pasta, etc.

My only negative comment about La Locanda is the very strong perfume which permeates the entire entrance area and hallway. They must have a "scent machine" because it is overpowering at times. This was very surprising to me since most everyone these days is aware that there are many individuals with perfume sensitivities. It was so strong that we really could not linger in the lobby, but rather rushed to our room.

Don't neglect to drive over to Rivello if you are staying in Maratea. It is a charming, tiny town set up on a ridge, one of the most picturesque settings anywhere -- the town is all steps and is fun to wander around.

We spent a full week at this delightful hotel, and we enjoyed it immensely. Inside, we appreciated the artwork, the unusual floorplan (a reflection of the hotel's location and its past as a convent), and our comfortable, cool, and clean room. Our room was one that did not offer a view of the town, valley and surrounding mountains, but we enjoyed it nonetheless, and we could take in glorious views from beside the pool. From the hotel we had quick and easy access to the shops and restaurants around the main square of Maratea, a town that charmed us with its narrow alleys, outdoor cafes, friendly residents, and beautiful surroundings.

We were particularly impressed by the service at the hotel. We found the staff - in the reception, the cleaning personnel, the bellmen - to be unfailingly courteous and warm. The restaurant services - for breakfast, in our room, and at the one dinner we ate at the hotel - also deserve special commendation. The food was excellent, and again, the staff friendly and warm yet still correct in their manner.

Travelers should be aware that this is not a seaside hotel. It is located on a mountainside. If offers beautiful views, but one cannot quickly get to the sea by walking. The hotel does however have arrangements for guests to sunbathe and swim at a pleasant seaside location managed by a private operator. The 25-minute drives there and back in the hotel shuttle bus gave us opportunities to see more of the coast and talk about the area with the ever so kind and considerate hotel bellman.

Given its hillside location, the hotel may not appeal to people who for whatever reason do not want to walk down and up the stairs that lead into the town below. Those with mobility limitations may also find it difficult to move around in the hotel; I do not recall seeing an elevator, and the rooms and various facilities are located on different floors. These are not yet issues for us, and we hope to be able to return to Maratea, and this hotel, for years to come.