Hotel suggestions: Sorrento and/or Positano

Hotel LeAgavi is fabulous. Outside the main town of Positano, but they have a shuttle to/fro town. Check out their website. May be higher than a 2-3 star, but the terraces overlooking the ocean are fabulous. We had a room with two terraces one in the shade and one in the sun. Their restaurant serves a wonderful breakfast, and we enjoyed a really special dinner there one evening too....again fabulous views for dining.

Dale, Have you checked: > Hotel Savoia in Positano > Hotel Desiree, La Tonnarella or Settimo Cielo in Sorrento Happy travels!

Dale, Bucca di Bacco in Positano is wonderful, though pricey. It has a great location near the shore. It is probably a 4 star, not 3 Tom

The period between Christmas and the New Year is popular/busy in Sorrento and prices can be almost as high as the summer season. This combined with the winter closure of some hotels means that competition for rooms is high. Some hotels showing no availability are probably closed. If you are willing to compromise on a room with a Bay view the Plaza Hotel, just off Piazza Tasso (it has a viewing deck on the roof), is showing vacancies at the moment. It is well reviewed on Tripadvisor. http://www.plazasorrento.com/en Here is a list showing which hotels and restos are open in Positano during the winter months. http://www.positanonews.it/articoli/65850/positano__alberghi_e_ristoranti_aperti_inverno_20112012.html Edit - changed the link, should work now!

try Il Nido Hotel in Sorrento Fantastic view

We stayed at Il Roseto Resort in Sorrento in September. It was like a new shiny penny. The rooms had just been remodeled and were spotless. This is a family owned and run B & B located in-town just where the Circumvesuviana tracks cross the Corso Italia (the main road into town).

We enjoyed our stay in Sorrento at Hotel Settimo Cielo located out on Via Capo above Marina Grande. Our room had a balcony with amazing views of the bay. I believe many of the rooms here have balconies. We were here in the summer and it was wonderful sitting out here. Would stay here again.

I second Joe's suggestion. If you go by train arrange with them to pick you up at your arrival time. The hotel is above Sorrento but they have a shuttle bus all day long. It has the best views I have ever seen and depending on the weather dinner on the balcony is to die for. The restaurant food is great as well. Check it out.

Just wanted to thank everyone for the suggestions. RS' hotel recommendations were closed for season, so we wound up with a terrific 4-star boutique hotel in Positano - Villa Franca. It's at the very top of one of the hills on the north end of the town. Fantastic terrace/view, very friendly staff & service, spa attached. Lobby and breakfast room looked out toward the south & the rest of Positano. 4-star hotel at 200 euro per night! Off-season rates, of course.