ABCDEFG

Hi, I'm planning my honeymoon with my wife and we are hoping to explore the Amalfi Coast! We're Americans from NYC and we're looking to spend sub $300/night. We are mid 30s if that makes any difference

This trip to the Amalfi Coast will be one of the two anchors of the honeymoon (Lake Como will be the other). We're probably willing to spend some money on the hotels in Positano and Como area, but will be looking to save bigtime during our side trips to Capri, Florence, and Rome.

In Positano, we'd be looking for a hotel that would have a room with a view of the bay. Also, are there any ways to find deals on these rooms, perhaps online? I'm pretty surprised at the prices, despite the increasingly favorable exchange rate.

In Capri, we'd be looking to get something low key. Like a bargain, young hip type place that had a great location but low prices. Capri is not a definite stop on the trip, but the ferry ride sounds lovely!

Also, is renting a villa viable option?

Many thanks, as always to those who respond!

chazzarelli

I've used www.venere.com to search for hotels and B&B's in all those areas. You can definitely find a place w/in your budge in Positano or Amalfi. What time of year are you going? That's going to be a huge factor as the summer months in those places are going to be filled up and at the high season rate.

LaurieB

In Positano I've stayed at Hotel Le Agavi - awesome views, i belive all rooms have balcony facing the sea. www.leagavi.com. Nice onsite pool and restaurant if you want to just hang out for a day or two to relax.
In Como Hotel Belvedere in Bellagio www.belvederebellagio.com
Have a great time!

ABCDEFG

Thanks for the responses.

The honeymoon will be from mid to late June, 2010. Soon!! Probably will be in Amalfi Coast from June 20-30ish timeframe.

chazzarelli

LaurieB - the hotel Le Agavi looks amazing. I'm going to Positano in Septemeber and am now seriously considering this as my hotel. Thanks for this reccomendation.

ekscrunchy

Do you mean next month? You really need to get busy on the Amalfi Coast and Lake Como since you are nearing high season.

You need to put aside your idea of a young, hip bargain place hidden away on Capri.

The Belvedere in Bellagio is gorgeous, but the cheapest room is much over $300US.

The cheapest room at Le Agavi is $507 US per night.

chazzarelli

I'll echo ekscruchy.. last minute travel to "hot spots" in Europe never translate to cheap!

ABCDEFG

Thanks guys keep the recommendations coming and don't get hung up on the budget, it is only a guideline and nothing is set in stone.

ekscrunchy

You really should do a search here for Amalfi Coast hotel/Capri hotel. This question has been asked hundreds of times. It would also help if you give a guideline for price...preferably in euro.

To answer your question, I doubt if you will find any deals via online hotel searches. Most of the hotels in your price range in the A/C area, including Capri, are small, family run places and would offer bargains, if they show up at all, on those sites. Same with Lake Como area. I think your problem now will be finding a vacancy.

I will say again that you should not expect any bargains in that area. Good value, yes, but bargain, no.

A villa might be a good idea for you but I think you have left it rather late if you plan to go next month.

ekscrunchy

I meant to say that they would NOT offer bargains in June in those locations.

ABCDEFG

Hey guys, just an update.

I booked a Superior Double Room with private terrace and lake view at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como and a private villa in Positano. The total damage per night is around $300, which is what I was looking to spend.

I am now in need of recommendations for a charming country inn or possibly small inn in Tuscany or Florence.

GH Tremezzo Palace threw in a lot of freebies such as free dinner, lunch, spa treatments as did other hotels. It looks AMAZING and is exactly what we want.
http://www.grandhoteltremezzo.com/

In Positano there was WIDE availability and low pricing on what seemed like hundreds (thousands?) of villas.
http://www.villeinitalia.com/photos/IlGozzo.jsp

I will certainly update this board with a trip report when I am done.

ABCDEFG

Although I pretty much consider this thread to be finished, I'll say that at this point we're looking for hotels for the "just passing through" portion of our trip.

We're going to have two nights in Tuscany and/or Florence. Would prefer to be in a remote/countryside location.

We're also going to have either two or three nights in Rome, and are looking for a basic hotel (amenities are not important at all) in a fun location.

I'm looking for the 100 euro/night range and will update you with where I stay. Very confident I'll find something suitable in Rome. Less certain about Tuscany.

ABCDEFG

OK here's what we found in Tuscany for 125 euro a night (includes breakfast). Looks super romantic and intimate, and my wife can't wait to meet the proprietors.

Now we're just looking for a place in Rome!

http://www.follonico.com/gallery_follonico.html