The 4-star Hotel Punta Rossa, perched high on the rocks of the Lazio coast directly in front of the Pontine Islands, is the kind of place romantics fall for. The love that the founder, Alessandra Venuti Battaglia, felt for this unspoiled corner of the rugged Circeo peninsula permeates the entire complex, from the white entrance arch leading into the shady patio, in and out of the winding corridors and stairways carved out of the mountainside, the refined rooms with secluded, flower-filled balconies, down through the magnificent 6-acre botanical garden to the rock pool on the sea. The hotel is still owned and run by the Battaglia family, who have continued the tradition set up by Alessandra - creating the atmosphere of a private villa with all the comforts of a first class hotel.

Staff are friendly, discreet and obliging and the first class restaurant, overlooking the sea, specializes in fresh fish and market produce.

However, one word of warning: this is not the place for anyone who has a problem walking 

there are a lot of stairs and steep paths to negotiate.

Self-catering apartments are available in the Fisherme Village down beside the rock pool and there is also a beauty farm in the grounds, complete with a heated hydro-massage swimming pool.

The Punta Rossa is in the heart of the Mount Circeo National Park, an unspoiled wilderness that legend claims was the home of the sorceress Circe, who had a protracted affair with the Greek hero Ulysses during his epic return journey from the Trojan War. However, shopping and entertainment are available at the nearby town of San Felice Circeo  one of the most exclusive beach resorts in Lazio.

Hotel Punta Rossa,

Via Delle Batterie 34,

04017 San Felice Circeo

Tel. (0039) (0) 773548085

www.puntarossa.it