Bueller?

I've always regretted not having a stunning view of the sea when we stayed on the Amalfi Coast in 1999. I wasn't intrigued enough with AC to go back, we DID have fun, though. Last year we made sure we had a great view in Cinque Terre. It was worth it.

Thanks for the advice and agree we think it will be great but a bit of a check the box destination (we tend to head back to Tuscany). What did you think of Cinque Terre? It's been on our list but I'm a little concerned about the hotel quality there.

I would not call the rooms at the Poseidon dumpy. I wouldn't call them fabulous, but the view, the service, the food, the breakfast, the pool area and evening entertainment with music drifting out over the town make it a really special hotel. In fact, it's one of my favorites anywhere.

My experience with top hotels is probably much more limited than yours, but I have stayed in a few of them. Thinking of the Metropole in Venice, where some of the smallish rooms have a good deal of marble and handmade lace, the Poseidon is indeed a bit plain in comparison. Another upscale hotel I've experienced in Italy in the Continentale in Santa Margherita Ligure, and although the room was large, the furnishings weren't lavish.

If your considering the price, I don't think you can go wrong with the Poseidon. I would suggest choosing one of their more expensive rooms, rather than a standard room, to give yourselves a little boost.

Finally, I think it would be a mistake to discount the view in favor of more luxurious surroundings. Positano is all about the views.

My last thought is if you think something won't be good enough for you, it probably won't be. So while I would run back to the Poseidon, I can't swear that it would be right for you.

It's been my experience that you might have to adjust your expectations downward just a bit when contemplating the furnishings and decor of most hotels below the top tier on the Italian seaside. Or at least that has been my experience in many of the places I've stayed along these coasts.


Did you look at Il Covo in Positano?

http://www.covodeisaraceni.it/

I would vote for Le Sirenuse. We stayed there last month. Although it was a splurge for us I definitely felt it was well worth it. The room and view were gorgeous. The service was the best ever. The staff could not do enough for you starting with an elegant breakfast on the terrace, the pool area was so tranquil, the room and hotel were immaculate, the concierges went out of their way daily with regard to sightseeing plans, transportation, restaurants, shopping, etc. It was truly a great stay, we felt very pampered. I think of our stay often.
With regard to Capri, I had also checked out La Minerva while we were there, it is very nice, more secluded and the owner was kind enough to show us around and let us view the rooms. We stayed at the Quisisana which was beautiful and also a splurge for us. It was our 25th anniversary and probably our only trip to the AC so it was worth it. The Capri Palace in Ana Capri also looked lovely.
Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the advice everyone. Tuscanlifeedit - agree on your thought which is why I research. To your point if I'm not expecting perfection then I personally am usually pleasantly surprised versus if you look at the price you're paying without doing research you can be disappointed. We have a place in Napa and I warn visitors the same about their hotels. You pay more because they are in Napa (in AC case because of view and location) and the room itself may be less than some expect.

We may pony up for Le Sirenuse if we can find some sort of deal on a sea view room but if one of the others is less than half the price (and I'll check out Il Covo) then we may put the dollars elsewhere. I am also feeling a little guilty as we are renting a villa in Cortona the week before and are splurging there on the one which was in the Under the Tuscan Sun movie which looks incredible through Luxury Retreats. .

kaybee,

I'm hoping to get back to the Amalfi Coast next year. For Positano I was considering Le Sirenuse and the Quisisana for Capri. What floor did you stay on at Le Sirenuse. Did you have any sea view at Quisisana or the town or pool/park?

Take a look at Onda Verde near Priano.

I hope you do get a deal on Sirenuse. You wil love it!
Delaine: at Quisisana we stayed in a jr suite sea view, beautiful room with large sitting areas, overlooking pool and the faraglioni with a terrace with 2 chaise lounges and a breakfast table, don't remember the floor but I think it was 3 or 4. At Le Sirenuse we stayed on fourth floor room 420 in a deluxe sea view also with a separate sitting area with terrace overlooking pool/terrace area. Both rooms were luxurious with awesome bathrooms and views. Hope this helps.

I really didn't notice the kind of hotel experience you appear to prefer in Cinque Terre. There seemed to be a lovely one in Monterosso, but other than that...It is the extraordinary views you go for.

I'll never be able to afford any of these hotels but I still have loved our trips to the AC - my fantasy hotel would be the San Pietro just outside Positano. The Casa Angelina in Praiano also has amazing views and is in a much different style. Perhaps ponder one of those two.

Casa Angelina is a great idea, if you don't mind staying out of Positano.

I love Covo dei Saraceini, it is one of my favorite hotels ever. The view is wonderful, the food is good and I love the pool.

What is your hotel in Napa. Going there July 5-8.

Thank you Kaybee, that helps. I saved the info in my file for the trip.

uh_oh busted, I once stayed in Hotel Porto Roca in Monterosso. I didn't think it could compare to what passes for a top hotel in Italy, but it was years ago.

I only saw Hotel Porto Roca from the ferry and the beach, and thought it looked like a fun, potentially pretty place to stay. Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast are so different from each other. I don't think people go to Cinque Terre looking for the "sumptuous hotel" experience that they might on the AC.

But whatever one's price-point when traveling somewhere wonderful -- if there's a choice to stay someplace with a knock-out view -- I don't think you will ever regret it

Check out Hotel Marincanto in Positano

I stayed at La Minerva. It is truly lovely, but I wouldn't put it in the same class as the St. Regis. We had a room with a large balcony and two lounge chairs, a pretty view, a large, comfortable room. Relaxing for sure. I would stay there again.

If you are interested in reading my trip report: Rome, Capri, Amalfi: http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/wonton-soup-the-roman-way-trip-report-for-capri-amalfi-and-rome.cfm
There are links to photos (including some from La Minerva). It will be "live" until the end of the month when Apple is eliminating MAC-user websites.

Diane

We loved Poseidon. The view was spectacular, breakfast good and there is a market across the street for bottled water, snacks and even wine. Easy walk downhill to town. Uphill going back is a challenge!