cybertraveler

If you're still interested in a hotel in Positano, you should check out Hotel Marincanto. We just returned from a week there and absolutely loved it. There are a lot of stairs there (and everywhere in Positano), but if you're fit, it's a magical place to stay.

Anna_Galea

I would definitely suggest you stay at the Grand Hotel Convento in Amalfi if you can afford it. This hotel was completely refurbished and I believe restructured - I was certainly interested in staying there for our holiday in AC - but it was too expensive for us as we need two rooms for our family.

You mean Hotel Prestige for Sorrento? It is a nice hotel but up high on a hill, not on Sorrento centre or harbour area.
Same goes for Hotel Posa Posa - it is high up in Positano and you would have a twenty minute walk, plus I just checked it out on Tripadvisor and second latest review did not say nice things about this hotel, especially regarding cleanliness - of course opinions might differ to other reviewers.

sueblue

Thanks, Anna! The Hotel Imperial Tramontano and Grand Hotel Royal both look great. I have already written to the Hotel Imperial. Regarding the Amalfi Hotel, I am holding a room at the Grand Hotel Convento. I used a booking site called Prestigia which came up on Tripadvisor. Prestigia’s rate for Convento was lower than any other site and therefore I am a little skeptical. BTW, your suggestion of writing directly to the hotels was great! I wrote to and am also looking into the Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi. Are the Convento and Santa Caterina hotels well located and close to town center in Amalfi?

Tilburg, the Villa Rosa was booked.  Cybertraveler, the Maricanto was also booked.

Xgapeach 1, we are going to looked into the Inne at the Spanish Steps. Someone else had also suggested this to us.

Thanks again, everyone!

Anna_Galea

Hi Sueblue - you are very welcome.

I am not sure about the booking site Prestigia (sorry I thought you were referring to the Hotel Prestige in Sorrento -I have never booked with them, but probably it should be ok since you say you saw it through Tripadvisor). Do you have to give your credit card details to this site or a deposit for the booking? If not, maybe it might be a good option to book through them, but always double check afterwards by emailing directly the hotel so that they confirm that they have the booking and so that they confirm the stay and rate offered by the booking site.

Alternatively, contact hotel and ask them if they would give you a special offer (if rate is higher than Prestigia) and also ask them to match the rate of Prestigia - they usually do (since they have to give a commission to the booking agent) - a much better option. When you book, always make sure that you print a copy of any emails exchanged by hotel and/or booking site, and take them with you as proof in writing of rate and stay, when you go on your trip. We always do that when we go on holiday.

I was again thinking about your holiday, and ALWAYS in my opinion, I think that in your case since you won't be driving, it might be a better option to stay in Amalfi rather than Positano. From Amalfi you are closer to towns like Minori, Maiori (lovely promenade), Ravello, Vietri Sul Mare, Paestum ruins and of course Amalfi town itself - in my opoinion, Amalfi town has the nicest square of all the towns on the AC. You can easily do a day trip to Positano, maybe stopping at towns on the route on the coastal road of the AC like Furore (where there is the Grotta della Smeralda)and Praiano so that you would also be able catch the enchanting views and take some photos at your own pace. You might use public transport, take short taxi rides or hire a private driver. A lunch up the Montepertuso mountain, not far from Positano, would also be nice, as you would have a very good view of Positano and the AC from above. There are plenty of nice restaurants there (the food of la Tagliata in my opinion, despite having very good reviews, did not impress me that much, but the owners are really nice friendly people. You might even go for an evening to Positano and take a taxi cab - it is still not far from Amalfi, so that you can have a drive on the AC in the evening, it is so wonderful to see it all lit up - we were there during Christmas time, and with lots of lights lit up everywhere in the towns and along the coast it was so breathtakingly beautiful.

Positano is best seen from afar not in the town itself - although if you find accommodation higher up on the hill of Positano, the views would be even nicer. Also you would need to take steps almost to everywhere, as this town is built on a narrow terraced winding road with steps in between - so some parts of it are even only for pedestrians. So be careful about your choice of hotel if you book in Positano - although I am sure that hotels of the category you are searching would have the facilities to accommodate you. But of course, it is up to you if you prefer to stay in Positano, as it is a unique beautiful town.

Hotel Convento is about 400m away from the centre of Amalfi, and Hotel Santa Caterina a couple of hundred metres even further - towards Positano - (600 or 700m away - please check this out exactly with hotel or on google maps). WOW the Santa Caterina is also so incredibly beautiful, and has really raving reviews regarding accommodation and hospitality, a full 5/5 stars. If I had to stay in Amalfi, these two hotels would certainly be on my toplist - if it were not for my budget as I always need two rooms for my family - but luckily for me, hotels nearly always end up giving me really good deals.

I just love cliff edge accommodation with breat-taking sea views, yet still close to the centre. So maybe you might choose between these two (if you ultimately decide to stay in Amalfi, according to best rate they give up, or location. But both are easily walkable to city centre, and probably hotels of that category would even offer a shuttle to town centre - anyhow, maybe if you would not feel like walking it back late in the evening, you can always take a very very short taxi ride back (when you go on holiday take note of any car hire companies/private drivers etc on the AC, as you would probably be charged less than having these arrangements booked at hotel, since these two are high-end hotels. You would probably find taxis at Amalfi town that wait for tourists near the harbour without needing to prebook(always ask for the rate, don't trust Italians in this) - where the coach buses also park, which is only literally a few steps away from the main Amalfi Square. But ultimately you can easily take a short walk back to hotel.

Bottom line, read all reviews of both hotels which, besides your budget, would also ultimately help you to decide which one of those two you shortlisted, you would choose.

Regarding Rome - In December 2010 whilst planning our holiday, I was making some research as we were thinking of doing an overnight stop in Rome after leaving the Amalfi Coast, and came across Relais Maddalena. Unfortunately it was already fully booked, but I was so impressed about what a nice, accommodating and friendly person the owner was - I asked him via email some questions regarding accessibility into Rome (I have a special needs daughter with mobility problems and we have the drivers' Blue Europeon sticker for the disability) and he was so helpful in giving me suggestions about driving in central Rome during the Christmas holidays, etc - even about the drive from Sorrento coast to Rome on New Year's Day, he really left an impression on me for his kindness in giving advice even though I did not book at the Relais Maddalena. This accommodation has a full 5 out of 5 star rating by reviewers, is very centrally located near the Pantheon, and is brand new - it had just opened in 2010 (just how I like them lol). You might be interested in having a look at their website - it is a B&B worth checking out for sure.

Enjoy your planning!!!

Anna_Galea

For Rome also check Locanda del Sole Luxury Suite Rome (brand new just opened a couple of month ago) - it is also on the top-list of best accommodation in Rome and also close to Pantheon.

sueblue

Thanks again, Anna! We have in fact decided to stay in Amalfi and we were able to secure a rate of $445 for the Caterina. Given some of the high rates for the 4 stars and feeling so tired of looking, we decided to just go for it. The only problem is that there is a tough cancellation policy but oh well, I guess you can't get everything. Will definitely check those spots in Rome you suggested.

With all of the couples and honeymooners writing reviews, my friend and I just hope we haven't selected too romantic a vacation! Hopefully, there will be some singles around! Thanks again!

Anna_Galea

Well done, sueblue, I'm sure that Hotel Santa Caterina is unique and well worth the splurge - it will feel like you are in heaven on earth for sure in that hotel. You did get it for a good rate - is it 445 dollars per night for the room or per person (probably per person, as it does seem to be much more expensive than that on its website. Well, whatever, it certainly will be worth it, you will be pampered there for sure - the hotel is a luxury five star!! Are you booking it for the whole trip on AC, or are you still planning on staying in Sorrento for a few days? If so, did you decide which hotel you will be staying at?

I am sure that you will find plenty of singles on the AC - especially locals or Italians residing elsewhere doing their holiday in another region - don't worry, Italians love to enjoy themselves and have fun, going out to bars to party (many with music) and restaurants in the evenings. Plus there will still be plenty of tourists on the AC end of September for sure - AC is always on the toplist for those who love beautiful scenary and enjoy leisurely evenings out. Naturally, it is not Ibiza, but who would prefer there to Amalfi Coast??? Also, needless to say, there will also be many singles in Rome, so again I would not be too concerned about that.

Enjoy your trip - plus the planning - if you need any help, please do not hesitate to ask!!

Anna_Galea

sueble - I just came across this company called AequaLimo that do a driver service from Naples to Sorrento and also give tours around the Amalfi coast with private driver. AequaLimo has really raving reviews - check it out on Tripadvisor, and they say that they have the best rates (but maybe still check out other private drivers).

It might be a good idea maybe to book a private tour with them or maybe transfer from Naples, or take tel. no and details of them or any other company with you for the holiday.

sueblue

Anna, we got the Caterina for $445 per night because as you suggested, I wrote to the hotel directly and they had a last minute offer!! We are slumming it with the standard room though . . .  which I’m sure will be just fine because we won’t be in the room much anyway.

We are still planning on staying in Sorrento for the first 4 nights. We are waiting to see if we can get a similar rate at the Grand Hotel Royal that we found at the Hotel Tramontano – as we would prefer the Royal. We will probably also opt for the standard or superior room.

Glad to hear about the singles! We were starting to think we should have booked a different trip!

Thanks so much to you and all you other Fodorites for your help!!! If I have any other questions, I may start a new thread with a different title. Happy summer end!

Anna_Galea

sueblue - really really well done that you managed to get that rate. Hotels do sometimes give very good offers to lure you into booking with them, especially the expensive ones. I am always so pleased with myself when I manage to get an extremely good rate (I got an extremely good rate in Rimini last December for a 4 star superior brand new hotel) in fact half the rate of instant booking. So it was affordable for me, considering I always need to book 2 rooms. I am so glad that you emailed the hotel directly.

You will enjoy it for sure there, whatever room you stay in, the hotel seems so beautiful with views from anywhere you go - you won't be in your room much anyway. I would do the same, not worth paying like a 1000 euros per night for any hotel or room. Unless one enjoys wasting money or is filthy rich, lol!!!

Good luck on the Hotel Royal - it is really so lovely, but if they do not give you an affordable rate the Hotel Tramontano is beautiful as well, both have that incredible view of the Bay of Naples and the Vesuvius - you get the feeling that the mountain is within your reach, it feels so close!!
You will see what I mean when you experience it - please remember what I am saying on that day when you are taking in the view for the first time, lol!!!

You might certainly encounter some seriously rich people who are single in the hotels you chose, lol, especially at the Santa Caterina - good luck!!

You are very welcome for my assistance. I enjoy holidays so much, even the planning stages, and it gives me as much pleasure in helping others to the best of my ability, plan theirs - besides it gets back so many memories of my stays there, it is like I am reliving my own vacation.

Enjoy your trip to the fullest!!

Happy Summer end - I am lucky - our Summer in Malta is till end of September and it can be hot enough to swim also during the whole of October, so we do have a bit more to go. But every day is still so precious to me, lol.

sueblue

Thanks again, Anna. Hopefully, we will meet and elope with two wealthy and wonderful Italian men! Enjoy the rest of your summer which sounds wonderful!