Hi,<BR><BR>I am going to Positano and did not book very far in advance. I now have the option of Hotel ALbergo Miramare for 166 Euro a night or Buca di Bacco for 220 Euro a night. Of course I would prefer to spend less money, but not at the expense of the vacation. Does anyone have any feedback on these two hotels. Your help is greatly appreciated.<BR><BR>

Hi Paige,<BR><BR>We went ot Positano for our honeymoon lasr Sept. and we stayed at the Miramare and absolutely loved it! I think it has the best location and especially views in Positano. Also, the staff was great. make sure your room has a balocny facing the ocean (I think they all do any ways, but just confirm) having breakfast served served to you on your private balcony overlooking the sea was amazing! Can't say enough goood things about it.<BR><BR>Linda

I really enjoyed Albergo Miramare last August. Only downside is all the stairs to & from, but that's true of pretty much everyplace in Positano! The following is excerpted from my trip report: <BR><BR>Checked into Albergo Miramare which was EXCELLENT. 300,000 lire per night (about $150) for a double including breakfast, tax, and service. The only extra was parking, which was 25,000 lire per day (about $12.50). We had a standard room – smaller than the more expensive versions – but it was lovely, with beautiful tiles, a minibar, and had a HUGE terrace with a table and chairs, and incredible views of Positano and the sea. It also had a very nice bathroom with a great (small) shower (with doors) and bidet. The beds at this place were very firm and comfortable. The staff at the hotel was so helpful and friendly and spoke very good English. We really loved this place. No pool, but the beach is not far. Excellent breakfasts of pastries, fruit, cold cuts, cheeses, cereals, yogurt, breads, juice, and GREAT coffee.<BR><BR>We enjoyed a very good dinner at Da Vicenzo in Positano – I had delicious seafood risotto and my friend had great gnocchi, and we shared a side of fresh vegetables. Friendly staff and reasonable prices. Afterward we strolled the town and had the BEST gelato at someplace on the main drag – they have a hazelnut flavor that has chunks of chocolate truffles in it (nocciola tartufo) that is AMAZING, and my friend thought the lemon flavor was divine.<BR><BR>While in Positano we took a daytrip one day to Amalfi for lunch (at Santa Caterina, where we sat out on their terrace and enjoyed gorgeous views and good food, if pricey), then to Vietri sul Mare for ceramics shopping (my friend found a few pieces there; I personally didn't think it was worth the trip), and then to Ravello for a FANTASTIC dinner at Cumpa Cosimo which was my favorite meal of the whole trip. We each had the house special of 7 pastas with 7 sauces which was absolutely incredible, the house red wine, and also shared delicious grilled vegetables and (again) tiramisu for dessert. The staff isn't particularly friendly or welcoming but we found this place charming nonetheless. The woman who runs the place (Netta?) is a real character. There is a wonderful ceramics shop in Ravello where we found some great pieces and they have excellent prices including shipping and insurance (already received it all, in perfect condition). We loved the little square in Ravello and were treated to the sight of a wedding party emerging from the small church, and a band playing on the square after dinner – it was fun to watch all the children playing and people milling around in the evening. On our way back from Ravello we stopped at the Africana nightclub which was pretty amusing – it is built into a grotto, with clear tiles in the floor so that you can see the fish swimming around below. Unfortunately there were only about a dozen people there that night, so we didn't stay long.<BR><BR>The next day we took a daytrip to Capri. Took the ferry, then the funicular, then the bus, then a chairlift to the very top of the island (while my friend shopped in the town of Capri), which was fun. We had a good lunch poolside at the Quisisana hotel. Capri is crowded and I did not care so much for Capri as I did Anacapri. We got a lot of sun on the ferry ride to and from. Back in Positano, we enjoyed a very good dinner at La Cambusa, where my friend had the most incredible spinach ravioli in cream sauce, and I had spaghetti with seafood and tomatoes in garlic and olive oil that was pretty good too.

the miramare for 166 is for the annex room (that's what i was quoted)<BR><BR>has anyone stayed in the annex? it's away from the main building?<BR>i asked them for photos but they didn't have any.<BR><BR>thanks

topping

We loved Buca di Bacco. We had an amazing view from our balconcy. The best thing about this hotel was it's location to the water. I'm sure you know by now that Positano has hundreds of steps. My fiance and I are both in our twenties and very active but we found all the climbing to be exhausing at times. Our hotel was one of the closest to the water, restaurants and shops. Another hotel that I would recommend becuase of it's location is the Il Covo di Saraceni (something like that). I didn't realize how important location was. Also the staff there was so helpful. I left something at the hotel and they mailed it to me in the states free of charge. We were also running late to catch the last ferry to Capri on our checkout day and they called the ferry immediately to have them hold it for us for a few minutes. <BR>The breakfast was excellent and it can also be delivered to your room. I'm sure that any hotel you stay at in Positano will be fine becuase the location is so amazing, but I found Buca di Bacco was just a little more convenient.<BR>

I just posted a great review of Miramare on the rant and rave section. Other comments: yes, Buca di Bacco is right on the beach -- but that is not necessarily ideal b/c you don't have the spectacular views you get from higher up on the hillside. I think the location of Miramare is better because of the views and because it is in a quieter location. You are above the maddening crowds -- not among them. (not that the crowds are particularly maddening, esp. now that august is over). Either choice is great, but my heart is with Miramare.