Fodor's Expert Review Hotel Buca di Bacco

Above the Spiaggia Grande, a fisherman’s tavern later converted into a guesthouse—where some of the airy guest rooms have sea views and others overlook the majolica dome of Santa Maria Assunta—has long held center stage, as evidenced by the photos of glitterati guests (Steinbeck, Hemingway, Jackie Kennedy) that line the walls. Spacious upper floor rooms with terraces are worth seeking out. The dining terrace features such specialties as homemade scialatielli ai frutti di mare and gambaretti alla Clark (named after the American general who docked here during World War II and promptly requested a prawn cocktail). There's no pool, but who needs one this close to the beach?