best town to stay in for four nights on Amalfi Coast

Sounds like Sorrento might be your best bet (it's where the train to/from Naples and Pompeii ends) -- the other towns require taking a bus from Sorrento, or from Salerno if you don't have a car or car service.
Others will tell you about their favorites.

Sorrento is a pleasant town and the easiest for the sites you want to see. You may want to split Day 2 into two parts and do one of the three on a separate day to make for a less frantic pace. OR you can also day trip to Positano, Amalfi Town, and/or Ravello.

We've done 7 nights in Sorrento once and 3 nights another time, which felt rushed. I like the pacing of a 4-night stay there.

For 10 years now I've used Sorrento and the hotel il Nido as my home base there. The hotel is on the hill above town but they have a very frequent and convenient shuttle into town. They also have what increasingly is being called one of the best restaurants. Wonderful people there, spectacular views and very comfortable/very affordable hotel. GREAT breakfast buffet!

Now, about arriving by train. I assume you mean arriving in Naples. From Naples there is a local train,k the Circumvesuviana, that would take you to your day 2 itinerary (actually, that looks like 3 days to me, a senior also in good shape. If you want to start your vacation early, consider taking the hydrofoyle from Naples to Sorrento - relaxing, great views. From Sorrento you can take a boat over to Capri (going to be crowded during July and August on the boat and on Capri). Sorrento is also the start of the bus tour of the Amalfi Coast. I recommend taking the boat to Positano and Amalfi town then take the bus back. You get the best views and won't have to fight for a seat on the bus going to the coast.

So, we'll do four nights in Sorrento. Anyone have hotel recommendations in mid-range? Love this friendly forum!

Thanks for all the useful details. We plan to drop off car in Naples after hill towns drive.

Day 1 Should we take train to Sorrento to settle and go to Naples the next day? Or should we spend 1/2 day in Naples before we go on to Sorrento? Or boat to Sorrento?

Day 2 Day trip to Mt. Vesuvius, Hercaleum, Pompeii

Day 3 Capri and Anacapri

Day 4 Positano, Amalfi(boat, then return by bus)

Does sound about right?

Since you're driving, drop the car in Sorrento instead of Naples. Much easier than a drop in Naples.

Day 1 Good tip about dropping car off on Sorrento instead of Naples

Day 2. Day trip by train to Naples

Day 3. Day trip to Pompeii,Hercaleum, Mt. Vesuvius

Day 4. Day trip to Positano and Pasteur .

We loved Hotel Antiche Mura. Great staff, super breakfast, 10 minutes walk from the station.

Day 1 Good tip about dropping car off on Sorrento instead of Naples

Day 2. Day trip by train to Naples

Day 3. Day trip to Pompeii,Hercaleum, Mt. Vesuvius

Day 4. Day trip to Positano and Pasteur .

I'm confused. Your first post said that you were arriving by train. Then you said you were arriving by car from a hill town drive. Which hill town? Will this day just be a travel day? What time would you anticipate arriving in Sorrento if driving?

Day 2 Naples What do you plan to see and do there for the day? I assume part of the day is for the archeological museum?

Day 3 Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Vesuvius all in one day will likely be exhausting. What time of year are you going? I wouldn't want to attempt this in the heat of summer. Pompeii alone can take a good part of the day, due to it's size. Personally, I'd pick 2 of the 3 to visit, possibly doing either Herculaneum or Vesuvius as part of day 2.

Day 4 Day trip to Positano and what?? I'm sure Pasteur is a typo. Amalfi is the logical pairing on a day trip like this. Or go to Capri instead.

Where will you go next ? If it's Rome, you could stop off in Naples to see the Archaeological Museum for a few hours (leave bags at the train station.) We have done visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum on separate days, haven't been interested enough to climb Vesuvius.

I just LOVE Villa Monica B&B in Sorrento. Check it out, I'm sure you will have a lovely time in this area. Happy planning and happy travels!

We loved Hotel Antiche Mura. Great staff, super breakfast, 10 minutes
walk from the station.

Ditto. Really nice hotel with terrific staff. . No sea views but a pleasant garden/pool area with a bar for resting heels in the sunshine.

Two years ago we stayed 5 nights in Ravello. It was heaven, let's just say "A room with a view" Auditorium Rooms B&B. During our stay we visited Capri,
Positano and other sites in Ravello all by public transportation. We had a taxi service pick us up when we arrived Naples train station. The real dolce vita.

It will be very challenging to visit Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius the same day. I did Pompeii and Vesuvius on the same day, and it chewed up a good part of the day. A better option would be to stop at Herculaneum either on the way to visit Naples or on the way back to Sorrento.