Need Sorrento lodging ideas

Check out il Nido, which is above the city. I've stayed there 10 or more times and it really has everything I would want. The rooms are comfortable. The views can't be beat. Breakfast is tremendous. Dinners are . . . well, it's my favorite restaurant in Sorrento. There is a shuttle bus that will take you to the easiest place to explore the city. Dino and his family will take great care of you! ilnido.it

My hotel comment is in my reply in this thread:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-for-5-days-where-to-set-base-from

Becky, we loved this one, and it's still seeing excellent reviews:

https://www.hotelantichemura.com

While it doesn't have a view of the bay, we got more than plenty of those during our out-and-abouts during the day. While only a couple of blocks from Piazza Tasso, we were never bothered by noise, and enjoyed being just steps away from restaurants, shopping and other amenities. No shuttles or other transport needed to explore central Sorrento. Had a GREAT breakfast, the desk service was terrific, and I'll suggest booking at least a comfort-level room.

Taking note of your desire to be ' within about a 5 km drive' away from town? I don't personally recommend trying to drive in and out of Sorrento during high season, nor around the Amalfi Coast. Plan to use public transit (ferries, buses, private drivers) as traffic can be dense, and parking scarce and expensive. ZTLs can be an issue as well. As it looks like you have some previous experience with the coast, maybe you knew all of that?

https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/nessunaantichemura.html#tab-reviews

(Edited to add the ZTL comment.)

https://www.plazasorrento.com/en

Located 2 min walk to the main plaza
great room, tremendous breakfast, roof top bar with view of the bay and Vesuvius

Becky, although I did get the "AirBnB" vibrations from your OP, I missed the "5km drive" phrase. The whole point of staying in Sorrento is for its superior public transportation location. As I've said elsewhere, it's a postwar, purpose-built, reinforced-concrete resort town. That's not bad, it's just what it is.

Every night as we left our (edge of town) Ambasciatori hotel, we saw a long line of cars waiting for a chance to enter the underground parking lot (also, on the edge of town, but I don't mean "up in the hills", like some group tour hotels and those like Il Nido.) You may wish to do some research on the total lack of parking spaces that will greet your auto excursions into the picturesque Amalfi Coast towns. You may have slightly better traffic delays (September) on the ONLY, two-lane road through Positano than at peak season. But the busses still can't get around the road corners without stopping and backing up a bit. It will be slow anyway. Some businesses will start seasonal closures by October, and you'll need the off-season ferry schedule.

I'm sure there are luxury villas for rent in the hills outside Sorrento, but that doesn't solve the daily parking problem when you go somewhere. Some budget travelers stay in the less-known towns before and around Sorrento, but they don't bring a lot of reports here. There is also tremendous demand to sleep in Positano, but I don't recommend that if you want to go places every day.

The whole point of staying in Sorrento is for its superior public
transportation location.

Wise words from Tim, methinks. Especially as you're traveling with another couple, it would be a good idea to bed down where all can easily come and go independently, if desired? For instance, some of you may be up for early morning strolls with the camera where others of you might want to sleep in a bit. Some may wish for an afternoon at the pool and others may opt for shopping. Same with later-evening activities; early-to-bedders versus night owls.Bunking near the center, steps away from most of the activities - and that doesn't mean you'd be dealing with noise at all accommodations in the center - allows for some possibly welcome autonomy now and again.

We enjoyed Sorrento very much. The view across the Gulf of Naples is lovely, especially at sunset (Find a terrace for drinks or head over to Villa Comunale with some gelato), and all-in-all is a darn sight prettier than where I live! :O)

Thank you all for your suggestions. We are planning to use public transportation; thought there may be some places just out of town on a bus line. We are not opposed to staying in town, don’t would like to be a a scenic tranquil place.

If you pay extra (maybe just one of the couples??? budget hint!) for a gulf-front room on the Sorrento cliff (choice of balcony size for $$, $$$, or $$$$), your bed will face Vesuvius through a window with electric blinds. Ambasciatori is just one of about six luxury hotels in that position, five of them have the same ownership. But they are not like an AirBnB. In general, these hotels have private wood decks for swimming in the gulf, reached by the hotel elevator inside the cliff. None of them has a beach, private or otherwise. There is only one beach in Sorrento, and it is located between the two marinas, with a distinct aroma of diesel fuel.

As another suggested, you can get superb views from El Nido for a lot less money, but you're not right on the water, and you have to wait for the shuttle or pay for a taxi to town. (Or walk down, which can be a very nice walk if you have shoes suitable for a fully paved steep downgrade - I just mean not flip-flops or loose sandals, or shoes that will bruise all ten toes and ruin your vacation.)

We loved our stay at Grand Hotel de La Ville
https://www.delavillesorrento.com

Easy flat walk to train, bus or town
Fabulous views, best breakfast we’ve ever had
Beautifully appointed rooms

I didn't get the idea that you were interested in beach time. Any number of hotels, including the one I'd recommended, have pools. You might not be interested in those either but we enjoyed the pool bar and green space around ours, even if we didn't choose to take a dip.

But to add, I took a look at some of your previous posts - I remember you from some of them! - and you were traveling with a wheelchair back in 2018. That can be a really big factor when choosing an accommodation so is that still how you are getting around on a daily basis? I'm interested as you mentioned hiking in this thread. Pompeii, while not impossible, will have areas which will not be accessible to visitor who aren't exploring on foot but I'll assume you've referenced the "Pompeii for all" info/map?

http://pompeiisites.org/en/visiting-info/pompeii-for-all/

Just to note: last I knew, Sala Blue or similar isn't a service you'd find for the Circumvesuviana commuter train in Sorrento.

Kathy, I still use a wheelchair for distances, but others in our group love to tske long ealks or hike. I’ll be sure to find a place with accessible rooms. I have been pleased that most buses in Italy have accessible entrances. I have used Salon Blu on many occasions- it is a wonderful service. My husband can assist me with the Circumvesuviana as needed.