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Amalfi Coast B&Bs and choice of location

We're planning to spend 3-4 nights on the Amalfi Coast at the end of our RS Southern Italy tour this September (it will be the very end of September). At this point we're debating between Salerno and Sorrento, which I know are very different. A friend recommended Salerno, and I like the fact that it's less touristy (especially as we'll mostly want to relax and enjoy the region at the end of the fast paced tour) as well as the fact that we can take a high speed train directly to Rome at the end of our stay; we're flying home from Rome. Although Sorrento is much more touristy -- and we'll spend 2 nights there on the tour -- it is well situated to visiting other places on the coast...

In reading reviews of accommodations, I suspect we'd do better with the guesthouse/B&B options in either of these venues -- especially Salerno. However, I'm a little nervous about how hosts in this region would react to two women traveling together and sharing a bed? We're a same sex couple, although we could easily be two friends traveling together. I could always look for a twin room if that would make things less awkward. This is something I never worry about in big cities or when staying at hotels....but want to feel welcome and also want the hosts to be comfortable with us in a b&b arrangement.

Would love some input in any/all of the above. Thanks!

Posted by
1582 posts

Ruth - Sorrento would make a good base as well to explore the area apart from Salerno.

Here are a few recommendations for Sorrento in case you choose to stay or dine there. Hotels and Restaurant options.

Hotels in Sorrento with great locations and near public transport:

https://www.surrientosuites.com/en/

https://hotelantichemura.com/

https://www.sorrentohotelmignon.com/

https://www.bristolsorrento.com/

Places to eat in Sorrento:
Bagni di Delfino, down at Marina Grande, on the water, excellent seafood.

Pizzeria Tasso:

https://ristorantetasso.com/en/

Il Leone Rosso Ristorante Pizzeria: Via Marziale 25, 80067, Sorrento, Italy:

http://www.illeonerosso.it

O' Puledrone:
http://www.opuledrone.com/

Posted by
6122 posts

We enjoyed our time in both Sorrento and Salerno. Since you will be staying in Sorrento for the tour I might chose Salerno. It's a lovely quiet town, the ferry ride from Amalfi was fantastic, the waterfront is great for night time strolling and the daily passiegiatta is not to be missed.
We took the very inexpensive easy train ride to Paestum which was a simply wonderful day.
The ferry is a much nicer way to travel around the coast than the buses in Sorrento- shouldn't even be that crowded from Salerno to Amalfi for example. From Amalfi you can take the little open air sightseeing bus up to Ravello.
See this thread for how that worked out for us.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/ravello-amalfi-salerno-bus-to-ferry-logistics

I have found that most "doubles" in Europe are usually 2 twins pushed together. We stayed at Hotel Montestella in Salerno- it was great. We booked a double and it was 2 twins together. Nicely updated, comfortable rooms, great location right on pedestrian street about 5-10 min walk to train/bus and ferry. We paid about 100 euro/night.
I don't think you'd need to worry about your sleeping arrangements.

One of the best meals we had on that trip was actually at a Greek restaurant in Salerno- Mythos.
There is also an excellent gelateria just around the corner from there. Bar Nettuno

http://www.mythosristorantegreco.it
http://hotel-montestella.salerno.hotels-in-it.com/en/

You are right- train from Salerno to Rome would be much easier than from Sorrento.

Posted by
3167 posts

Another benefit of Salerno is that it’s a short train ride to visit the spectacular Greek ruins in Paestum. Oops! Didn’t realize they were on your tour...

Posted by
15591 posts

At Jay's recommendation, I stayed at the lovely little Centro B&B Salerno on the edge of the historic center and just a short walk to the seaside promenade. The son, Francesco, handles all the reservations. The mother is the hostess and cook. He is young and seemed pretty open-minded about life in general, I suggest you contact him and ask him directly. I had the best of their 3 rooms, Positano, with a queen bed. The mother and father don't speak English, Francesco and his wife (if you get to meet her) are both fluent in English.