Positano or Sorrento?

Hi Joanne,
In Sept/Oct 2008 we stayed in Sorrento for 4 nights and just did day trips from there. One of our trips was a drive down the Amalfi Coast and we stopped in Positano for a short time on our way back to Sorrento. We were both quite disappointed in Positano so you might want to closely research both of these places prior to deciding your home base. Sorrento on the other hand had lots to see and do.
Our other day trips from Sorrento included Pompeii & Herculaneum and Naples. All of these places were very easily accessible, by hydrofoil or train, from Sorrento. Unfortunately we didn't have time for a day trip to Capri, which I really regret, but you might want to look into this.
Good luck with your travel plans and have a wonderful stay in Italy.

If you want to do those day trips, you'll be better off in Sorrento. The trip between Sorrento and Positano is mainly by bus, and it's enough of a trip that getting to and from those other sites will be a hassle. Also, Sorrento is bigger and likely to have more going on in February. I'd guess Positano will be absolutely dead.

Sorrento by a landslide! The dock is right in town to go to Capri, the train is right in town to go to Pompeii. And its so much fun to walk around Sorrento in the early evening for passeggiata when they block off some of the streets to traffic, its just you and everyone walking about. Just writing this makes me want to go back...

Thanks everyone for your great response and insight. Sorrento will be the place to stay especially with the transport concerns. Originally we were going to stay there but I got on the Positano page in the book...you know how that goes. Any suggestions on where to stay in Sorrento? Ideally we would like a place with a view of the sea and walking distance to town. Thank you to all the travelers who write on this site.

Hi Joanne - I'm going to Italy in May and will also be going to Sorrento and have done a lot of research on places to stay. My husband and I decide to stay at www.ulissedeluxe.com . It says it's a hostel but it's actually a 4 star hotel. It's one of the places rick steves recommends. It's a great deal (approx. 70 EUR a night) and very nice quality (from looking at the website). I don't think they have any views, but another places that I saw on the graffti wall that was popular is Hotel IL NIDO Sorrento www.ilnido.it . This one you have to take a shuttle down to sorrento but it's free and looks like it has great views. This one was approx. 90 EUR a night. Of course it may be cheaper in Feb.

Good Luck and have a wonderful vacation!

Thank you Maria. I was just looking at the hostel on booking.com. It does look good. I will check into the other suggestion also. Unfortunately, I don't have a RS Amalfi book with me (living in Germany currently until April) and only have his book on Rome. I do have Frommers but I personally like Rick better and find his books more informative without being "too much". I will send a post when we return from Sorrento with information that my help you for your holiday in May. Stay warm in Eden Prarie...my son lives in Prior Lake, daughter in Hugo!! Small world.

Joanne, We stayed at Hotel Minerva in Sept. 2007. It was listed as Rick's "splurge" in Sorrento in his 2007 book. It is a little more expensive but not outrageous for what you get. We had an awesome view of the coastline from our large room without a balcony. There are also rooms with lovely balconies. I believe all rooms have a view. The hotel is just a couple of blocks outside of town but the bus stops on it's doorstep. The room includes one of the best breakfast buffets we have had in Europe. The hotel caters to British tourists so the friendly staff speaks English. Check out their website, www.minervasorrento.com, the views really are that good. When contacting them about rates I asked if they had a Rick Steves discount, and they did. If you have any questions send me a message.