Traveling to Sorrento in July 2026 and looking for an incredible cliffside view hotel without breaking the bank… Hoping to splurge on excursions like private boat tour, etc., simply can’t splurge on everything. Is it really worth it to have a private beach club at hotel? Or is it sufficient to reserve beach club beds in advance?
Thank you in advance to everybody here… Love all the information everybody is sharing.
Melissa
We just stayed at the Hotel Il Nido. It was reasonable, but we were these in late September. Wonderful views, but a long way from town. They do have a shuttle going to and from downtown. Otherwise the taxi is about 35 euros. Quiet. Rooms clean, staff, it's family owned, very helpful and they have on site dining. Pretty good. Not incredible, other than the view from the room and the dining area.
We did a private boat tour from Sorrento to Amalfi. For $1,200 it was ok. We also had a driver take us up along the coast to Ravello. That was better than the boat tour. Younger members of our group did a kayak tour and really enjoyed it. Food and history tour ok, pizza, gelato, limoncello.
Hi Melissa; welcome to the forum!
Just a couple of prior, useful threads regarding beach time in Sorrento?
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/best-sorrento-beaches-for-family-with-teenagers
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/beach-clubs-in-sorrento-sady-beaches
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/sorrento-capri-beaches-recommendations
There are more but generally the consensus is that Sorrento isn't considered a beach destination. We have stayed there but were so busy sightseeing that we didn't have time - not that we even had the inclination - to spend any of it sunning, although our hotel did have a pool. Given just what I'd observed, I wouldn't personally use your splurges on private beaches. If wanting to cool off in water after a hot day of sightseeing, many, many hotels have very nice pools for doing just that.
Our in-town hotel, easy walk from train station, also wasn't cliffside with a view of the bay, but we saw so much of it just being out and about during the day and on walkabouts in the evenings (with cups of gelato!) that we didn't miss it OR the price. That was a personal decision; I know that others would absolutely splurge for the view. :O)
