Sorrento, Italy Hotels

We've been to Sorrento three times and have always stayed at Hotel La Tonnarella because we like it so much. I definitely recommend one of their rooms with a balcony - stunning views of the Bay of Naples, Sorrento and Mt. Vesuvius. It's a very easy and beautiful 8 min walk downhill to town, an easy walk up or you can take the bus. The hotel has several terraces, lots of flowers, a great restaurant where you can eat outside in nice weather, a really great breakfast buffet, nice rooms, good beds, good bathrooms, and last time we were there they had new computers in rooms with free internet. They also have a private beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas. You can order from from their restaurant while at the beach. We bought big tubes in town and enjoyed floating around in them in the water.

I don't see how Hotel Desiree could have "the exact same views" as La Tonnarella. Desiree is behind La Tonnarella.

Thanks for both recommendations; although Hotel La Tonnarella looks booked for beginning of June but I will keep trying. I will also ck out Hotel Desiree. If you have any others in mind, please share! We appreciate your replies, thanks again.

Hi there I agree, the La Tonnarella is very nice - my husband and I ate at their restaurant and it was good. The hotel/restaurant has a fantastic patio overlooking the bay and the views are simply spectacular. Depending on your budget, if La Tonarella is out of your reach, try staying at Hotel Desiree (next door, they share the same driveway and private beach area with La tonnarella). We stayed at hotel desiree (granted, it was 10 years ago), but the prices are very reasonable and it has the exact same views. (the rooms aren't as nice of course, but again, it depends on your priorities.) We found Hotel Desiree through Rick Steves book, though whether he officially recommends it anymore, I don't know. I just checked their website before posting this and the rates are still very reasonable. I recommend both places. Sorrento/the Amalfi coast is one of my favorite places in the world......have fun and enjoy!!! Brenda
Pottstown, PA

My husband and I stayed at the Grand Hotel Ambasciatori in 2007 and the beautiful view overlooking the water from the balcony of our hotel room is forever - and fondly - burned into my memory. http://www.ambasciatorisorrento.com/

It has the same views because the bay of naples is enormous...a bay-side balcony from Hotel Desiree gives you the same view of the water as La Tonnarella. Both places are great - again, it's really how much you value a beautiful room vs a functional room, and how much you want/can afford to spend. I'd stay at either place.

I'm sorry, but Desiree does not have the same views as La Tonnarella.
Maybe you can see a portion of the water from Desiree but not the town of Sorrento, the coast line and towns north of Sorrento, etc. The views are not the same at all. Even you, Brenda, said "The hotel/restaurant has a fantastic patio overlooking the bay and the views are simply spectacular." Which is true. Dan, La Tonnarella is booked for June 2012 already? Wow. I guess that speaks to how popular it is. Angela's recommendation of Grand Hotel Ambasciatori is an excellent choice as well. Even nicer than La Tonnarella.

Thanks to all for the great recommendations. Susan, La Tonnarella is not booked! Just got off the phone with them, not available on the various websites and even theirs because they have not established 2012 rates yet; however, he did mention that they would take our reservations over the phone... and the room rates are very reasonable - any recommendations on which room? Suites are a little too expensive but I'm liking the Deluxe with a sea view, maybe the Superior as a 2nd choice.

Susan, this isn't a pissing contest, merely a general advice board. Rick Steves recommended Hotel Desiree. La Tonarella is lovely, as I said. If you disagree with my comments, that's fine, but they are not "wrong". You might want to refresh yourself as to Rick's whole "open-minded" and "tolerance" policy on travel, epitomized in ETBD. Dan - you will enjoy Sorrento regardless of which hotel you stay at. La Tonnarrella is absolutely wonderful; however, if you are on a budget, as we were years ago, Desiree is a great place with an exceptional staff.

I am not in a "pissing" contest with you Brenda. Just giving my opinion. That's what the Helpline is, many different opinions and often times, people on the Helpline disagree. I have no problem with that, doesn't bother me a bit if someone disagrees with me. And thank you, but I don't need to "refresh" myself on RS' travel philosophy. Dan, I'm so glad they're not booked. You were smart to call them! We've stayed in "Deluxe" rooms with a large terrace and it was well worth the price. If you can do it, that's what I would recommend. The Superior rooms only guarantee a "sea view" which may or may not include a small balcony. I'm sorry, I don't remember the room #'s. You said you were looking for a "nice" hotel, and there are many in Sorrento, not just La Tonnarella and Grand Hotel Ambasciatori (although, as I said, that is a really good one). Another one that people often recommend is Il Nido. I hope you have a wonderful time in Sorrento! It's our favorite place in Italy.

Susan
Brenda I sense chemistry !

Hi - we are going there in 2 weeks & staying at Hotel Minerva based upon some friend's recommendations - looks good from website, great views, pool, etc - has anyone stayed there?

We'll be staying at Hotel Sorrento City in Oct. Someone here (RS) recommended it and it got good reviews on Tripadvisor. Have fun!!

We stayed at Hotel Minerva at the end of September 09. It was great. The hotel is on a fairly busy road and some people warn of the noise on the lower floors. Our room and balcony was on the 4th or 5th floor and noise was not an issue. You can see the hotel in Rick's last program in the Amalfi Coast from a few years ago. We also ate outside one night at La Tonnarella. That was a truly magical view and night. I also agree with Susan's first post about the walk into town. We went back and forth about staying in-town or at the Minerva. The walk is not bad at all and worth it to me.

Hi Dan, sorry to butt in on your post but I was wondering if anyone has ever stayed outside of Sorrento at a B&B and if you did how did you get from place to place.Car? Bus? Problem with the bus is the last one is at 8pm?
Pat

You might want to think about renting an apartment, my wife and I rented a nice one bedroom last year in the Marina Grande area. Much bigger than a hotel room, nice view, plus access to a kitchen and washing machine. Try www.villatorent.it