tamaraten

JillDavis, thanks for answering. I actually just called the hotel to find out what this meant. Monica (the owner) told me that the hotel is made up of three buildings, one on top of the other, and the lowest building of the three is just over the beach where this room would be. I don't at all mind the steps- what I was concerned about was that the view would be over the beach whereas I've been dreaming of (and all the reviews suggested) a room from a higher perspective. The view is really important to me, and that is what I'm concerned about. Monica said that it is very low down, again, just over the beach.

So that is my dilemma. After all the planning etc, and the ability to travel not too often, I really want to try to get what I know is most important to us. Of course, beggars can't be choosers at this (I didn't know before) late date! So I suppose I should be grateful it's available, I can't help thinking though that it's a huge compromise.

Any other thoughts? Has anyone been in this room (a room in the lowest building at the Marincanto?)

thanks again!

JillDavis

Tamaraten - if you want a high up view, then perhaps go for Villa Franca?

tamaraten

I did check out Villa Franca at the start of this whole journey... I just called there now and found that their deluxe room with a front seaview would be 400Euros. The Covo on the other hand, is 358Euro for a junior Suite Balcony and I think it's 5 star (although it's low down, on the beach. I prefer high up). And then there's the Marincanto for 280 E (with the low building problem)!!!!!

The Villa Franca seems a little high in price for what it is offering.

Has anyone stayed there? Or at the Covo dei Saraceni?

JillDavis

Tamaraten - We also checked out Covo and considered staying there but we thought it was too low to the beach. When we did google maps with Marincanto and Covo, it definitely looked like Marincanto was higher. (even with the lowest building)

ekscrunchy

The Covo is a popular hotel with a few people here, including Julie Vikmanis. I have a friend who returns almost every year, and who will be there next month, again.

Why have you not considered the Tramonto d'Oro in Praiano? (If you do not mind my asking..)

tamaraten

It's funny that you ask ekscrunchy, because I just read every single review of the Tramonto d'Oro on Trip Advisor (I think I'm going overboard here on the research perhaps...), but I love reading the reviews. Anyways, they were Fabulous except for just a couple. But the majority were really overwhelmingly positive. I can understand why you booked there for your upcoming trip.

It's tempting, but I hesitate about the location. While Praiano sounds appealing from a certain perspective - the quiet - I'm afraid it might be just a little too quiet. We are going for a full week and we won't have a car. The primary purpose is relaxation; however, I figure at least if we're in Positano, we can walk all over the place for action if we want it without being dependant on a car as we would in Praiano. I figured that from Positano we can arrange trips to other places like Pompeii, Capri, etc. if we feel like it. I'm just worried about feeling a little too isolated in Praiano. If it was just a couple night, okay, but to stay there for 7 nights?....

And btw, of course I don't mind you asking!! I so appreciate your help you have no idea. I'm going a little crazy here, spending days sitting at the computer and ignoring everything else (four kids, work....).

Also, ekscrunchy, what does your friend who returns to Covo yearly say about the views? Does he not think it's too low down?

Also, ekscrunchy, to answer your questions from a couple of days ago, I considered Capri for a couple of hours a few days ago, didn't look at Ischia. I guess I have my heart set on Positano for some reason. (I was looking at the Furore Inn too, even today, I rethought it and while it looks beautiful, it's also isolated and without a car might be a bit much for 7 days).

thanks again.

ekscrunchy

My friend just loves Il Covo. I will ask her details when I see here tomorrow. But I have been to the hotel and it is true that is just a bit above the beach. So you would be looking up to see the town, and almost straight out or a bit down to look at the water.

I have never stayed in Praiano but I think you might be making a mistake to discount it. It is close enough to Positano so that you can get there by the bus, or even a taxi. There are some restaurants in Praiano, too.

What exactly do you think that Positano has that Praiano lacks?

tamaraten

I certainly can't pinpoint anything that Praiano might lack having never been to either place. But I do know that people have said consistently that Positano is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I simply haven't heard that of Praiano, as nice as it might be - that's it, really nothing specific, just a feeling of wanting to be in the best place we can be visually for the one week (of staying put) that we have.

ekscrunchy

Trust me....all of of those coastal towns are beautiful. Postiano gets all the talk because it is more famous, but with that come more tourists and high prices.

And remember that they are small towns, not cities.


Some people think that the views are better from Praiano than from Positano.

Do not worry. I can almost guarantee that you will be ecstatic no matter where you end up. And I say this as someone who tends to agonize over hotel choices. And restaurant choices.

tamaraten

Thanks ekscrunchy for the moral support! I absolutely am agonizing over this and have spent way too more hours than I have figuring out where to stay. Re restaurants, I'm less of an agonizer despite that I love fabulous food - at a restaurant, worst comes to worst, it's one meal, you leave, that's it. But at a hotel room, where you're stuck and where you were dreaming of a spectacular view, .....if it's disappointing, that is painful.

tamaraten

To all: I booked the Marincanto! Just wanted to let you all know. I couldn't take it anymore and I hope I don't regret it! I'm sure it'll be fine, am told the view in that low room is nice, and am hoping for the best.

I wanted to thank you all for being so helpful - I appreciate it greatly.

Now I'm going to just have to plan the trip...

best wishes,
tamara

Judy

You must be relieved, Tamara! Congratulations. Have you told the hotel you'd like a higher room if one becomes available?

JillDavis

Hey Tamara! I am so excited for you! You will have to let me know how it goes since my visit to Marincanto will be in September. It just looks so luxurious on the website and I have had friends that have stayed there and just can't get enough of how nice it is and how good the location. Congratulations on deciding. I know the feeling. I agonize over my hotel choices too. Well, now you can move on and plan your fun vacation.

tamaraten

Judy, thanks for the wishes. I am relieved (and of course apprehensive..). I did tell the hotel to book me into a higher room if they get a cancellation and they promised they would. Now, just have to hope for a cancellation!

Jill, thanks for the excitement and the wishes. I'm really glad that whole issue is over- how many days can one be on Trip Advisor hour after hour without going totally insane?! I'm really really hoping I get lucky and that we end up with a room in the higher building. We'll see what happens and I'll definitely let you know how it goes.