We are planning our honeymoon for September 2016 and want to spend a few days on the Amalfi Coast. We are also visiting Rome and Florence so this will be our relaxing portion of the trip. I am very torn and confused about where to stay. I know Sorrento is better for transportation and Positano is very popular, but are these the best choices? We really wanted to splurge a little (hoping for a room with a Jacuzzi and a view - and a hotel pool) but it seems like some of the more romantic hotels are still way out of our price range (looking for around $300/night max). Are there any other towns you suggest? We will probably want to spend most of our days at the beach but would like to add a visit to Pompeii (which could possibly be done on our way to Amalfi Coast) and Capri. I would love any suggestions.
Posted by
48 posts
Congratulations on picking a completely romantic spot for your honeymoon! I just returned from Italy a day ago and my favorite part of the 2 week trip was the Amalfi Coast...or maybe Cinque Terre....or Venice. OK - I loved it all.
We stayed in Sorrento at the Grand Hotel Ambasciatori, which was amazing but I suspect might be over your max budget. Sorrento itself is a small, walkable town with plenty of restaurants, shops, bars etc but without the crush of people like Positano. I liked the ease of grabbing a ferry to Capri, the car to Positano and Ravello or a tour to Pompeii. It also made the trip to Venice a little quicker than if we were staying further down the coast.
We visited Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano and Ravello. In my opinion Positano had the best beach but nothing like you'd find on Maui. These are beautiful rocky harbors - not white sand beaches.
I realize this isn't specific but I hope some of it is helpful. You will have a wonderful, memorable honeymoon regardless!
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
While Positano says honeymoon u saw it comes with a price.
villa rosa hotel with sea views is across from very pricey Le Sireuse hotel and spa
Might be worth a look. Myself i love sorrento as a base.
Another option u could consider is Capri. Incredibly romantic with sea views and views of amalfi coast.
Capri at nite is magically as the daytrippers leave and the isle is yours.
Aw so many options. Enjoy your decision.
Posted by
7 posts
One of Rick's recommendations for Sorrento is the Hotel Antiche Mura, which is absolutely lovely and in your price range. I have reservations there for 2016. They have a lovely pool surrounded by a little lemon grove. The lowest price rooms, with Rick's discount (if you have the book), are about 160 euros. For your price you could likely get something much nicer. This hotel has its own excursions to many places, including Pompei, Positano, Capri, etc.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7297 posts
Melanie, both of these places book up months in advance, so don't wait past February to book.
There are a few smaller towns, with less sophisticated hotels (no jacuzzi's, I suppose ... ) but sometimes more beaches than Sorrento, almost beachless. I've seen people post about the two or three towns before Sorrento on the Circumvesuviana train, so they would have equally good transportation.
You might wish to go to the library and read an old edition of Rick's book, so you can learn the overall situation. You don't seem to have enough general information yet. You also don't make clear whether you "must" see Pompeii, Capri, or whatever. Unless you can afford a car service, Positano is a lousy place to see Pompeii from. Lots of people stop at Pompeii on the way to a place like Positano, but I thought our daytrip from Sorrento was more leisurely and less pressured to "do it" within some time limit.
I don't think you can get a jacuzzi and a sea view for $300 in this area. But you can get a pleasant room for less. We also stayed at the Ambasciatori, with one of the biggest balconies. But we never filled the soaking tub (jacuzzi indoors) because it was so windy. And there's a minor, minor, seagull problem! Not to mention the ferry whistles. But, oh that view of Vesuvius.
We chose Sorrento for the rail station, and hired an eight-hour car and driver to see five towns on the A.C. (Sorrento isn't on the A.C) and briefly walk around in three of them. That was about 265 Euros, no guide, just a knowledgeable driver. I can see spending a honeymoon in Positano, but the stairs, crowds, and narrow shopping passages weren't to my linking. I know Pittburgh is inland, but I describe Positano as Provincetown with rich people (OPINION.) Lots of people won't stay anywhere else.