anne17

Hello,
We are planning to be in the area during last 10 days of sep 2013. I am unable to find a good hotel in sorrento, which is the recommended to be the place to stay for exploring AC. We are well-travelled and can find our way around.

I can't believe that all of them are booked at this time of the year. Need advice from people how know the area well . My absolute requirements are a) great views 2) close enough to walk to the town for meals, transportation etc. we are in good shape and can walk up and down as needed.

Can someone recommend ways to find good hotels and book since online reservation systems are showing red ?

Everyone seems to stay in Sorrento, so is there an alternative ?

Appreciate your help!

bobthenavigator

www.booking.com

yorkshire

There are plenty of other towns--where you should stay for convenient transport really depends on what places you intend to visit. Which booking websites have you used? I find trip advisor usually works in addition to booking.com and some people like venere.

Donna82

Hi Anne,
I had a similar issue when planning our August trip to Sorrento (Sorrento was not my first choice but I took on board the good advice about it being the best base to see Amalfi & Pompeii etc)
We chose to stay in Sant' Agnello - I mile from Sorrento. We stayed at Hotel Caravel which was fine, compact but our room with a balcony was large, with a view of the pool area. The breakfast was good, with lots of choice. However I did think the hotel Mediterraneo just down from us looked fab. All white and modern and right near the cliffs with super views of the coast, Hotel Caravel is slightly further inland so there are no coast views from the pool or lounge areas. Our hotel shared a free shuttle bus with the Mediterraneo which was very handy for getting home after dinner in Sorrento. Overall I found Sant' Agnello a good base,with lots of hotels to choose from - try booking.com, but always get a direct price from hotel also as it sometimes ends up cheaper.

It was only half an hour on the train to Pompeii and a 10 minute walk to the train station (we left from here to go to Rome). Around the corner from the hotel was a public bus stop which took us right into Sorrento. We also walked into Sorrento a few evenings and didn't find it too long - 20min approx.

It seemed pointless to walk ten mins to the train station for a 2 min train into Sorrento when you could walk to Sorrento in 20mins.

Sorrento is a resort town like any other IMO. I much preferred the feel of Amalfi & Ravello, but that's a personal choice I suppose. I think you need to decide exactly what you want to see?
Is Pompeii on the list? Naples? Capri? Then Sorrento is prob the best best. If not maybe Amalfi town or Positano would work for you?
Next time I think I will go directly to Amalfi or Ravello and stay there, well maybe a night in Naples first!

jelopez33

Why not Amalfi? You are going to visit thebAmalfi Coast, and Sorrento is on the other side of the peninsula.
Not that Sorrento is a bad destination, please undestand me, but you must go everyday to the Amalfi Oast, if you are in Amalfi, Atrani or any other place on the Oast, you can do just one day trip to Sorrento.

Any way you will enjoy the zone, no doubts.
Have a nice stay!

nytraveler

Sorrento is not really a destination itself. It's just a very convenient place to stay to visit other places form. Much easier to get from there to Capri, Naples, Pompeii and down the coast - since you have the choice of train, ferry, hydrofoil and bus. If you are in Amalfi - all you have is the bus - which can take forever.

So - it really depends on what you want to see. If you want to just relax and not sight see Amalfi may be a better choice - but it is a very small town.

nytraveler

Sorrento is not really a destination itself. It's just a very convenient place to stay to visit other places form. Much easier to get from there to Capri, Naples, Pompeii and down the coast - since you have the choice of train, ferry, hydrofoil and bus. If you are in Amalfi - all you have is the bus - which can take forever.

So - it really depends on what you want to see. If you want to just relax and not sight see Amalfi may be a better choice - but it is a very small town.

calgary1989

if you are staying in the amalfi coast, i highly recommend Positano. it is just the right mix of small and big city. Sorrento is a huge town, very populated, and really not much to do. I just stayed in the Hotel Marincanto. the only thing better than the view is the staff. they even have an infinity pool (best view of the whole ocean as you soaked in that big pool surrounded by lemon trees) and a private walk way that leads you to the town and pier where to catch the ferry to do your day trips about a 10 minute walk (longer going back because its uphill but a great exercise to burn those carbs). They have several great restaurants all with in walking distance. the best restaurants on top of the mountain will send a car to pick you up and drop you back for no additional charge except a tip if you care to do so. Capri is very touristy but worth seeing, Amalfi offers the best bargains for souvenirs, spices, and clothing. Sorrento is just a big city that happens to be close to water. i was in aix en provence last year and i thought i died and went to heaven. positano trumps that location.

calgary1989

ps

i have the best and cost efficeint driver to pick you up from naples airport and bring you anywhere you like in his mercedes benz. happy trails.

isabel

I actually really like Sorrento. Not that I didn't like Amalfi and Positano and Ravello as well but people frequently seem to be 'dumping' on Sorrento here and I can't understand why. I would say a population of 16,000 is not a <b>huge</b> town (Positano is close to 4000, Amalfi is over 5000). I stayed there and did day trips to Amalfi and Positano and Ravello and Capri as well as in the other direction to Pompeii and Napoli but I really enjoyed my time <b>IN</b> Sorrento itself just as much.

We stayed at this hotel and quite liked it, good value, good location - www.ulissedeluxe.com/

Have a look at my photos of the Amalfi Coast area including Sorrento - http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/sorr...d_amalfi_coast

bobthenavigator

This place seems to have availability for oyu:

http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/la-n...2e0d2414567eX4

anne17

Thanks folks for all the great responses!
Yorkshire, I tried both Venere and booking.com. I've used them both on my previous trips but always found that I was not too impressed. Couldn't make good choices based on reviews.

Donna82, nytraveller,
Wud like this trip to be a treat for eyes and tongue . Everything else is optional. I do not want to plan, have a list of to-dos , etc. just take it one day at a time and smell the roses ( and eat some amazing food).am tired of having a planned trip. Thanks for the recommendation.

Calgary1989,you are tempting me with Positano. Wish I could find a good place to stay through fellow traveller recommendations rather than relying on websites. Am wondering how Positano and AC towns would stack up to my Vernazza experience.

Isabel, great pix and thanks for the recommendation.

Thanks to Bobbie navigator as well.

anne17

Jelopez33,
Any hotel recommendations in Amalfi town? Thanks.

loumartinez

I completely agree with Isabel, Sorrento is definitely worth to be discovered. What you cannot miss here is to taste limoncello while admiring sunset. try to get in touch with Maria D'Esposito at Villa Oriana http://www.villaoriana.it. They have this bed & breakfast in a huge villa overlooking the sea surrounded by lemon trees. Let's guess what the flavour is supposed to be. Here. Among the trees and over the sea. And if you fancy to visit other cities let's bet they will invite you to have a tour on their private yacht!

jelopez33

Hi Anne!

We were at Sharon House, correct, but no views. Hotel La Bussola has a location second to none, waterfront, and a few steps to city center and bus terminal, somewhat mixed reviews and no wifi in rooms.
We walked many times and the exterior seems good.
There are also a couple of luxury hotels, wich you can find easily in booking.com.

Of course, ask me if I can help in any other way.