Fra_Diavolo

Le Sirenuse in Positano shows availability for all but the last two days in May. http://www.sirenuse.it/

Maybe head off to Capri for those days? Oh look! The Quisisana has rooms on those dates! http://www.quisisana.com/en/index

Though it is usually wiser not to leave from Capri on your day of departure because the ferries can be cancelled due to poor weather.

ekscrunchy

I like Amalfi much better than Positano.

http://www.hotelsantacaterina.it/

http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotel...di-amalfi.html





And Ravello is certainly as visually stunning as any of the towns.

http://www.hotelcaruso.com/web/orav/...troduction.jsp

http://www.palazzosasso.com/




What kind of budget do you have?



I would not go to Capri on a daytrip. You will be with the tourist hordes. Better to stay there a few days. Again, before people begin recommending you should offer an idea of your price range.

For example:

http://www.jkcapri.com/

Fra_Diavolo

Actually, looks like Le Sirenuse is available on all dates . . .

ekscrunchy

Perfect: FraD solved your problem.

Take Le Sireneuse for all but the last 3 days and then take 3 days in Capri. I would book asap.

ekscrunchy

And if that does not work out, why not consider Puglia?

Fra_Diavolo

Scratch that, checked Sirenuse again. All dates booked. Try Capri.

tamaraten

Wow, the Santacatarina looks incredible, but the prices are about $8000 for a week!!!!!! That's a bit over the budget! I was hoping for something around $400-$500 a night - maybe I'm being unrealistic here. I had checked out the Le Sirenuse earlier and the standard seaview was 800 Euros a night - also a little high! The Caruso's least expensive room is 1212 Euros a night....

I'm getting pretty discouraged. I didn't look at Puglia yet.

I had seen hotels in Positano that were luxury that were within my price range - the problem is they're gone. The other hotels that start at 600E a night minimally and usually are much higher, are not within the price range.

Sassafrass

While many do not like Sorrento as much as Positano (I do), you might look into hotels on Via Capo, away from the busy center. That is the cliff area North of Sorrento, and hotels and views there are fantastic. I would not hesitate to stay in that area, or at some of the other lux hotels in Sorrento.

I just checked on my favorite hotel there (Hotel Minerva) and they do have rooms with sea views for your dates, but they do not have any balconies available then.

Their terrace (and pool) is beautiful if you don't mind sitting there rather than on your own balcony.

Also, you might consider some smaller hotels that have great views and plenty of luxury, just not all the amenities that would give them four or five stars as they are awarded in Italy.

Don't give up on the AC. With all the fodorites on this board helping, You will find something wonderful.

tamaraten

Thanks for encouragement, Sassafrass. I've just spent two days non-stop googling and I'm getting pretty frustrated.

I don't mind the four stars as long as there is a breathtaking view with a decent-sized terrace off the room. The terrace is an absolute must. I don't need the luxury spa (although that's a bonus, it's not a prerequisite) but I need the place to feel luxurious (or at least really special).

ParisJo

We stayed at Albergo California in Positano in late May 2007. It's not luxury, but it has the same view as the Sirenuse since it's directly across the street from it. We had a lovely room with a large terrace overlooking the sea and the cliffside villas of Positano. Breakfast was included and it was about 170 euros/night.

Good luck!

Jo

tamaraten

Thanks Jo, I just checked it out, and it too is booked for the week we're able to go!!!!!

I must have looked at hundreds of sights....the few that are available have no balcony/terrace and received poor reviews.

HELP!!!!!

cheryllj

I mean this to be helpful and not rude . . . but your max budget of 350 euros is not going to get you a "luxury" property in a resort like Positano.

I would suggest Villa Rosa or its sister property Villa La Tartana, which is within your budget but not what I'd call luxury, although they are very nice and comfortable and have great balconies with stunning views. I think a suite at Villa Rosa goes for 300 euros in summer. But those places are very popular and get booked up months ahead so it's likely they are long booked by now, as you are finding out. Did you try the Hotel Poseidon?

ekscrunchy

No use having people recommend a list of hotels that will not work for you. Please give a price range, in euro.


Are you sure that you checked prices carefully for Santa Caterina in Amalfi? How did you come up with $8000 per week?
Did you look at their Offers page that gives you a 25% discount for stays of longer than 4 nights?

http://www.hotelsantacaterina.it/en/specials

DRJ

Hotel Onda Verde is on the waterside of the coast road just below the little town of Priano. I stayed there for a week several years ago. Very good kitchen and, of course, that view. It is halfway between Amalfi and Positano. The entrance is an elevator housing because the foyer is straight down. Take a look at their website.

tamaraten

eskrunchy, I did look at the Santa Caterina website and it does indeed look beautiful. The price, however, from their website (and I just checked again a minute ago) for the least expensive available room is 790 Euro, which for a week comes to 6083 Euro, which is how I arrived at the $8000/week. Even with a 25% discount, it's pricey.

My price range is 350 Euros top. I think I could have had a room at the Santa Caterina and some of the other beautiful hotels for that price had I come up with this idea earlier, but unfortunately, I have to work with what I have.

thanks for your help.

tamaraten

cheryllj, thanks for your reply. You're definitely not being rude....the truth is the truth!! And I appreciate your trying to help.

I did check out the two places you mentioned and they're also booked.

Basically, I went to Trip Advisor, Positano, and went down each hotel from the #1 recommended all the way down. (also the B&B's). If the place was decent with a balcony and a nice view, I checked into it, and they're all taken.

Thanks for your help!

JillDavis

We are staying at Hotel Marincanto in Positano. I am also very picky when it comes to being in luxury properties while vacationing. However, I like to also get a good deal and not overspend if I don't have to. This hotel has amazing views, a brand new infinit pool, gorgeous flowers everywhere and a fantastic location.

I hope they have your dates available! It is the best value on Positano in my opinion for luxury.

cheryllj

tamaraten: How far down the TA list did you get? The Hotel Poseidon? The Miramare?

Unfortunately, Positano is a fairly small resort village that is insanely popular in high season (starting in May when you are going). Hence very high prices and the best value places with the "affordable" rates are booked several months ahead.

I would check hotels in Amalfi and Ravello, both close to Positano, and some people even prefer them. Ravello is up on the cliff, overlooking Amalfi but the views from there are also stunning. But again, the best places are likely to be booked, esp. the "value" places that are nice but not over the top pricey.

cheryllj

Oops, I mean "other" hotels in Amalfi and Ravello, obviously you've already considered hotels in Amalfi if you've checked the rates for the Santa Caterina.

tamaraten

Jill, thanks, yes I did check out the Marincanto - it was #6 on Trip Advisor, so they're booked too!!! If you got a booking there, you're very very lucky and I hope you enjoy. It looks beautiful.

But thanks for suggestion.

Cheryllj, yes, I did check out the Poseidon and Miramare. I feel like I have hotel names running through my head, I'm dizzy from it already! Everything's gone.

Which brings me to my next question, SHOULD I GO BACK TO MY ORIGINAL IDEA OF BARCELONA OR CRETE!!????? (It's so funny, Positano had been my 3rd choice originally!)

Thanks again to everyone for all your suggestions.