Southern Italy: Help with accommodations

We went on the Rick Steves' 13 day South Italy tour in May, and I can tell you where we stayed in each city. They are mostly typical Rick Steves hotels--clean, convenient, but nothing too fancy. In Rome, we stayed at Hotel San Giuseppe,Vicolo Moroni 22, which was owned by a convent, quite austere, but fine. We loved our Tratevere neighborhood and felt very comfortable walking around there by ourselves. By the Tiber River, near the Jewish neighborhood, within walking distance of Colisseum and other sights. In Vieste, we stayed at Hotel Seggio,
Via Vesta 7, which was nice. In Matera, we stayed at Hotel Sassi,Via San Giovanni Vecchio 89. We stayed in the sassi. Ours was very damp, others in our group were not. Don't hesitate to ask for another room. It was really a cool place to stay, though. Our hotel in Positano, Hotel Savoia,
Via C Colombo 73, was the best of all. Very comfortable. Would definitely stay there again. Probably our least favorite was in Sorrento, Hotel Il Faro, Via Marina Piccola 5. We were told we would all have water view rooms, but we didn't. Although the plumbing was a little sluggish, the room was very large, and it was adequate. In Naples, we stayed at Hotel Chiaia,Via Chiaia, 216. Naples is a crazy city, and we felt less safe here than anywhere else, probably because one of our members was mugged in the Spanish section of the city. The pizza was worth the trip, though! The neighborhood where our hotel was, though, was fine, and we had no problem walking around in the evening. Hope this helps! Have a great time. South Italy is wonderful. Our very favorite experience was renting a boat for a couple of hours and riding around the Isle of Capri. Those majestic cliffs! Wow! Watch out for stingrays though if you anchor the boat for a swim. Just look first. It was awesome!

John

Do not know how you will be travelling. We went by car from the Lake Garda-Venice to the Amalfi coast. We stayed in Sorrento at a place call Il Nido-not if RS book. This is a great hotel above Sorrento with a restaurant(very good) and having dinner 2 of the 3 nights we were there on the balcony over looking the Bay of Naples and Mt. Vesuvius was to die for. If you are coming by train they do have a shuttle bus that you can arrange to have them pick you up. They shuttle you down in the morning and there is a pick up spot that you can get back to the hotel during the day - the last one is 11PM. Check out there web site.

We then went to Positano (you can get there by bus)and stayed at the B&B La Tavalossa right in the heart of the town. RS has this in his book. If you decide on this place make sure you ask for one of the rooms with a balcony. It is heaven as well.

Loved, loved, loved and adored Punta Civita in Ravello!

We spent a week in Salento in September - and I would highly recommend the accommodation with these caveats: it is a getaway kid of place. Secluded, no phones, no TV, etc. Just you and the sun on a beautiful property with some amazing views. You do need a car - the rooms have small kitchenettes but you wouldn't want to be making full meals, but fine for coffee in the morning, putting some lunch together, etc. Beaches, restaurants, etc. of all kinds nearby. The website is: http://salentoromantico.com/

I have some additional photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14894020@N00/sets/72157622374976442/

I am planning on writing a trip report - just haven't had the time yet!

Can you clarify where you mean by southern Italy. We have property in Pizzo, 4-hours south of Naples/Amalfi Coast, and I consider that the south of Italy. Are you looking for that far south, or around Naples area?

John & Boni,

Travelling "throughout southern Italy" covers quite a broad area. Which towns / cities in southern Italy are you planning to visit?

When you have a list of destinations somewhat finalized, I'd suggest checking some Guidebooks (including Rick's) or TripAdvisor for suggestions and ratings on Hotels in those locations.

Happy travels!

It sounds like you'll be traveling by car, so you may be primarily interested in places outside of town. We're the opposite: always going on public transportation and wanting places IN town. But check out www.stellediunavolta.com in Lecce. It's a very large (70 sq. meter) one-room apartment with kitchenette. The bed is on a loft but there are two sofa beds downstairs. Wonderful landlady, and it was euro 60 per night.