Positano Hotels

You have 3 good choices, but I would be partial to Punta Regina for views. The Buca di Bacco is on the water.
Make any of them an offer--they might say yes.

Love the Poseidon and think that it is a great bet. The food is wonderful. One night, there was a singer on the pool deck, under the stars... it was wonderful.

We thought the service was great, and the views to die for. I would stay there again in a minute.

Breakfast: heaven.

In Bellagio (same trip) we stayed at the Belvedere, with a room with terrace and lake view.

That was our splurge trip. I had been injured in an auto accident and after months of rehab, we spent 4 nights in Bellagio and 4 in Positano. It was wonderful.

We haven't stayed in these types of places since, but we were very satisfied with our choices.

Try also the Palazzo Murat, if they're not already full.

Not to muddy the waters yet further, have you considered Covo dei Saraceni? Rates also about same as those you're looking at. We love it, its pool and the proximity to the beach.

How about the Albergo California, it's the one filmed in Under The Tuscan Sun...http://www.californiahotelpositano.com/
Som

Thanks to all for your feedback! I wonder why rates at Buca de Bacco are more? Is it because the hotel sits closer to the beach with less of a view or are the rooms nicer as far as decor? And I will check out Palazzo Murat and Covo dei Saraceni as well.

I also just noticed Villa Franca for about the same price. Any feedback there? And the Palazzo Murat looks very nice, but it appears the views are more of countryside rather than
seaview. And is the Poseidon considered more of a luxury hotel over Buca di Bacco? Just wondering based on the rate difference for the same type of room. Thanks!

I've only stayed at the Murat. We chose it because it's near the top of the pedestrian route down to the beach and is handy for going out during the day. It's right in the centre of Positano and is a very good hotel.

Thanks again for the feedback. I have another question just for curiousity sake. Which hotel would you chose, based on view, charm and decor, regardless of the rate? And would an entry level room at il San Pietro be a better choice than, say a junior suite at Covo dei Saranceni or the other 4 star
hotels? Thanks for your time and as always, much appreciated advice!

How about the Albergo California, Positano with parking if you book early enough. It's the one filmed in Under The Tuscan Sun.
http://www.hotelcaliforniapositano.it ... email: info@hotelcaliforniapositano.it
Som

My husband and I have just booked The Pasitea. Not sure where you are from but there is a great deal on the booking.com.au website.

To answer your question about price no object, I advised honeymooners considering Sireneuse, San Pietro and Covo de Saraceni to book the latter of the 3 based on proximity to the beach and the town action rather than the "aloofness" of the other two. Covo dei Saracenia (and Sireneuse) was filmed in "Only You"

For views, charm, and outstanding food (!), I think it's hard to beat The Poseidon. Decor in the jr. suites is simple, nothing extraordinary. We love this hotel ( have been a few times) and always have a fantastic stay there.

As for the others, I can't comment since we haven't stayed at them, but I did hear from friends that they were disappointed with an "entry" level room at Le Sirenuse. They didn't think it was worth the price, said it didn't have much of a view, and found the vibe of the hotel pretentious.

Great feedback! I really like the looks of Covo de Saracenci, but did anyone experience noise from the traffic below the rooms? That is my husband's biggest concern. And San Pietro seems to be a little TOO remote. We really don't care too much about the pool or beach, but just want to have great views in upscale surroundings, and at the same time have access to the local flavor. Thoughts?

I could be wrong ( it's happened before!) but I think you're more likely to get better views the higher up you are in town. Covo is just a few steps up from the dock, so while you'll have a close-in view of town and the sea, you may not experience that AHHHH moment of an almost aerial view from some of the hotels farther up the hill in town.

Just wanted to add that Positano is very tiny, and as long as you are in decent physical shape,
( lots of stairs back and forth to town from many of the hotels that are away from the main dock) you will be very close to most of the restaurants/stores in town. You can also take a cab to Montepertuso, a small mountain village that has several very good restaurants. It is a short ride from Positano. Only about 15 minutes.

Thanks Weadles. We are both in good shape so walking isn't an issue at all. We are just looking for that perfect place to stay and are willing to pay for it for this ocassion. San Pietro looks like it offers great views, but it appears it might be a little too secluded for enjoying evenings out on the town?

San Pietro has a shuttle that runs to and from Positano, but not sure how late it operates. The hotel is not right in town, so you might find it limiting in terms of restaurants/shops, etc. And depending on your travel style, you might find the place a bit stuffy. We only had dinner a few times at the hotel w/older friends, but definitely too formal for us.

I appreciate your input, and I was a little concerned about the stuffiness factor. It looks like a beautiful property, but I don't want to be that far away from the flavor of the town. I just want to make a decision and move on, so here is what I have it narrowed down to, and the criteria for my selection is an upscale property with the nicest room that offers a charming decor with a great terrace and view. The prices are close enough that it's not the deciding factor. It's between:

Covo dei Saranceni/Jr Suite with terrace and sunbeds
Buca de Bacco/Superior double with terrace
Poseiden/Jr. Suite with terrace

I am willing to give up a view from a higher point for atmosphere. What to do, what to do........

We never had noise problems at the Saraceni. We had a room with balcony overlooking the beach. It was fantastic to sit on the balcony drink 6$ a bottle Santa Margherita and watch the sunbathers, the playing children and the starry-eyed young couples. While we were there they were building something (didn't pound at night) of wood that we finally concluded would be a ticket booth for the ferry/hydrofoil. Turned out to be a giant adirondack chair which they floated in the bay as a kind of "art exhibit." Great fun.

Thanks for the good news about the noise, Julie. Saraceni is a top contender for the beach side position, along with Buca de Bacco, and from what I can gather from comments, they are both great hotels, but Saraceni seems to be more upscale? The pool isn't as important to us as the atmosphere and surroundings, along with a nice view, which is why I have thrown Poseidon in my top 3 options, because of the great reviews and also that it affords more of a view from it's position. But I did notice in the room description of Poseidon that most rooms/suites are side-seaview, even the junior suite. Thanks for your thoughts!

Bookmarking...

Just remember--All dogs think their pups are cutest. All travelers think their hotels are best.

I think Saraceni is too close to the beach. The amazing views are farther up. We always stay at Villa Rosa but it sounds like you are looking for something more upscale. I always hear great things about the Poseidon and it is a bit higher up in the town. If money were no object, I would stay at Le Sireneuse.

That side seaview at the Poseidon is fairly head on. You have to look a little to the left I guess, but really, it's just magical to look out over the town and see the incredible views of town, sea, and hillsides. Night time is incredibly gorgeous.

I know that everyone has their favorites, but I have to count the Poseidon as one of my all time best, ever. Is food important or just atmosphere and views? Because if food counts, the food at the Poseidon is fabulous.

DH was just talking last night about two different dishes we had there over the course of our stay, and although he likes food, he's not really the type to chat about it, if you know what I mean.

I can tell you plenty of hotels that I don't think were the best.

Yes, food is important, so thanks for the heads up on that fact about Poseidon. I actually emailed the hotel 4 days ago and as of yet have not received a response. My question was regarding the room types. Maybe someone that has stayed there can clarify for me what the differences between the following as far as view, decor, terrace size/location:

Standard jr. suite- 440 euro
Superior jr. suite- 490 euro
Standard suite-540 euro

Has anyone stayed in the superior junior suite, and is it
worth it to upgrade to the standard suite. Actually the pictures online are very confusing. Thanks again for your feedback!