amalfi coast hotel help
 

Hello... My 2 girlfriends and I are going to the Amalfi Coast early June to celebrate our 30th birthdays...our last hurrah. Please help! We'd like to find a nice hotel near the beach (if possible) with a pool (an absolute) for under US$215 per night. It would also be nice to have a view. We won't have a car, so it would also have to be in walking distance to town. I know we're asking for a lot on a small budget. That's why we need your help. Thanks.

Well, hopefully you will have more hurrahs in your futures!!

You can try the Covo Dei Saraceni in Positano, it should be within your pricerange.

Take a look at the descriptions of the towns in the area and narrow it down, I think Sorrento or Positano would be lively for your hurrahs! There are clubs in Sorrento and a few in Positano area.

Have fun!

kchar,

you're so funny...last hurrah... what do you think happens after you turn 30? you shrivel up??

The thirties were great, but wait until you hit the 40's : the best!!!

We'll be in the AC in May and this 45 yr old will be whooping it up!!

We are staying in Sorrento at the Bellevue Syrene and it will be above your budget, but in all my research, it might be best for whooping it up as it has more to offer for nightlife than the smaller towns on the AC.

Anyway, enjoy your 30's!!! They really are great!!!

We loved Hotel Settimo Cielo in Sorrento (www.hotelsettimocielo.com). It is in a good location 7 or 8 minutes from the centre of town and the beach, on the "Capo". If you go, make sure you go for a room with its own terrace - we did and the views were spectacular. The hotel also has a pool with great views over the Bay. In August the cost was 140 Euros a night for a double room with breakfast. Breakfast is served in a dining room, again with breathtaking views. Covo dei Saraceni in Positano looks wonderful, but expensive.

Have to chime in here...I just turned 50 and it's wonderful...kids at college so we're having our own hurrahs!!!!!!!!!!! :) and off to Europe we go! Our next trip will include the Amalfi Coast...this is a hotel I was considering and they have a pool and rooms with views: http://www.villafrancahotel.it/index.html
Have a wonderful trip!

Keep in mind that Sorrento is not on the Amalfi Coast--so you'll have to move on a bit if you really want to be on the AC. Though Sorrento is well located to see the sights from Naples to the Amalfi Coast.

Wow...I'm new to this and I've already received helpful info. Thank you. Also, I didn't mean our last hurrah for life, just before we do the mom thing. I'm absolutely looking forward to life's other hurrahs! Thanks again.

Take a look at Hotel Margherita http://www.italyby.com/hotelmargherita/index.html in Praiano. Praiano is a little village about halfway between Positano and Amalfi. Pool, great views, fantastic.
You can take the bus from Sorrento for about 2 Euros each.

Thanks again. Does anyone else have suggestions? Happy Vacationing.

This might be a very good choice for you. It doesn't have a pool, but why are you unwilling to swim in the Mediterranean?

http://www.hotel-villasanmichele.it/

PS kchar,

I've stayed in the Villa San Michele, and you will have to take a bus to get there or hire a driver. Splitting the cost of a driver would be about 35 euros apiece. Otherwise, you take a bus from Naples (or Sorrento) or you can take train to Salerno and the bus to Villa San Michele, which seems roundabout, but avoids a lot of traffic.

If you are flying into Naples airport, it makes more sense to hire a driver or take a bus from Naples/Sorrento. If you are coming in via train from Rome, it makes more sense to switch trains to Salerno. If you are planning to fly from Rome and head straight to Amalfi, I would suggest spending at least a night in Rome to recover your jet lag unless you are willing to pay for a driver.

Whew! Now to the hotel: It's really charming and quirky. It sits RIGHT on the Mediterranean. There is a bus that stops outside the door that will take you to Positano or Amalfi (where you can catch boats to Capri) or up to Ravello, which is gorgeous.

In June, they may be serving meals at the Villa itself. Otherwise, you will need to walk to the neighboring town of Atrani. It's only about a 10 minute walk, but you have to walk on the Amalfi Drive itself -- no sidewalks, no shoulder, very narrow, heavily trafficked. I didn't mind the walk TO dinner (and Atrani is a very charming fishing village, very untouristed, with good restaurants, including a Mario Batali fave, Da Zaccaria).

However, I didn't care for the walk back AFTER dinner, after I'd enjoyed too much wine and limoncello (and so had everybody else on the road). Split a taxi fare back to the hotel.

I like Sorrento, and it offers you the possibility of easy day trips to Pompeii, Capri and Naples. If you can find a hotel there in your price range, you'll find more to do. Hotel Villa San Michele is really about sun and swim, and a few bus trips to other towns to eat.


The

ooops! Ignore that "The"

I was done.

Thanks for all that info nessundorma. We aren't opposed to swimming in the Med. I just heard that the beaches on the AC are pebbly and rocky. So, we just wanted somewhere to comfortably relax under the sun. If anyone has suggestions of a nice beach or even a "must do" activity, please let me know that as well.

The big attraction in the area besides the scenery and limoncello and food is Pompeii. If you would like to tour it, you would do best to stay in Sorrento and take the train to it.

The beaches are pebbly and rocky. Aqua shoes solve the problem for swimming, but I actually don't know how you solve the problem of a pebbly beach if you want to lay down it and sun. The Villa San Michele had lounge chairs right by the steps leading down to the sea.

Have you looked into renting a place? summerinitaly.com has some lovely places - and some even have pools. You can request a place in town, how many bedrooms needed, and you can stay up as late - and be as noisy- as you want, if you choose a separate house, etc.
Good luck.

The Covo dei Saraceni is very nice but a triple may cost you close to 350E. I suggest the Villa Tartana for a good location and fair price.

Look int the towns of Maiori & Minori they are both near Amalfi, not as expensive, on bus lines that will take you up & down the coast. You can save a few $ and still be in the heart of Amalfi Coast.

saving for the great info. thanks!