We are a retired couple from New Zealand with a dollar which struggles with the euro. We would like to spend 2 weeks slowly exploring the Amalfi coast. In other words – plenty of enjoyable days off, lots of walks and a few bus rides etc.!! I have combed the web and am really struggling to find something affordable. We are planning to be there in August next year. By the way steps are not a problem and we will not have a car.
I have the PERFECT place for you! It's called "Le Palme" and it's located in Amalfi. Rooms start at 40 Euro/night. It is located in the middle of a cliffside surrounded by lemon groves. It is 300 steps down from the road above and 656 steps down to the road below that leads to town. It has a magnificent view! The owners are so very nice, and they also own a restaurant in town. They can arrange for dinner to be brought to you in your room for very little money. They make the best lasagna and eggplant parmigiana that I have ever tasted. We had our own car and parked at the Hotel Excelsior located above and walked down to the Le Palme from there. They will carry your first bag down and back up for you for free, and any additional bags are 5 Euro each. The steps, at first, are uneven and a little treacherous, but once you get onto their property they are very proper and well lit. I definitely would stay there again despite the long trek.
http://www.lepalmeamalfi.com/index.html
I am concerned, however, about the time of year you intend to go. August, in Italy, is the time that a lot of businesses shut down for a month long holiday. You may be a little disappointed when you find that a shop or restaurant where you would like to do business is closed. You might want to rethink your choice of month.
August on the Amalfi Coast is peak season, that is probably why you are having problems finding reasonably priced places. In addition to the foreign tourists you will find it overun with Italian holidaymakers escaping the heat of the cities. Not that it is cool there either just a fraction less hot! There will be no problem, however, finding shops, restos etc open, July/August is the time they make their most money.
Without a car, which is a good idea at that time of year because it is gridlock central, you will need to be near public transport, unfortunately that usually means the popular (read more expensive) places.
Sorry to be downbeat and without knowing what you consider reasonable it is difficult to suggest where to look.
Linda, I found one listed as maximum price being 480E a week and thought that was 'doable' but then when I got the quote it was 850E a week. They are 800-900E a week which is about 1600-1800 NZ$ per week. Just not possible!
You might try Sorrento as an option. Then you can ferry ride to amalfi coast and bus back.
Margaret - your budget means that you will struggle to get decent self catering accom on the AC in August. However all is not lost. Think about smaller B&B type places with rooms that have kitchen facilities.
As someone else has said consider Sorrento, there is a larger choice and it is only a half hour bus ride over the Peninsula to the AC. Plus really easy access to the major sights in the area. Here is a place recently booked by a poster on Tripadvisor so no reviews yet. It is set in the hills above Sorrento/St Agnello and will probably mean a walk to the nearest bus stop.
http://www.casamazzola.it/prices.php
Maybe e-mail the owner to see what they have to offer and for a few more detail on travel logistics.
PS - told you fibs! Lots of reviews for the place near Sorrento, just Google the name.