Sassafrass

Annhig, look at the link posted by Blueeyedcod to see why we are all misty eyed when remembering the Lorelei (or Loreley) et Londres.

annhig

sassafrass - it reminds me a little of the Royal Victoria Hotel in Pisa in which DH and I stayed for a couple of nights at the end of our first tour in Italy, back in about 1982. Though it lacked the views of the Lorelei et Londres [great name, I wonder where that came from] it had what I imagine was the same air of faded old world gentility - our room was massive; the bathroom alone was as big as our bedroom at home. There were also old photos of visiting dignitaries who had stayed there and in keeping with its atmosphere, it was quite cheap.

Fast forward about 30 years, we spent a night there with our kids at the end of a stay in Florence and were sadly disappointed - the huge rooms had been divided in two so as to provide more accommodation, and the bathrooms were tiny. Never go back!

bvlenci

I read (somewhere, but can't find it) that this hotel was forced to close because they had opened up the top floor, and the city claimed that the ceilings were lower than allowed in the building code. The hotel contested the decision, I think because they said they were exempt based on use of these rooms as guest lodging from the time before the building code came into effect.

The thing has dragged on in the courts, and probably the hotel now needs lots of work to get it back into business.

Sassafrass

That seems to happen with lots if things. Perhaps best to keep the memories.

guzzinic

Oh nooooo!
After surviving the car trip from Machiagodenna to Sorrento via “Naples” and avoiding any punctures we stumbled on this gem in 1993. The room was awesome $65 with breakfast thrown in, the staff were magnificent providing secrets of this special part of the world and neadless to say they would park the Peugeot 308 in the packed car park and have it ready to go every day. The breakfasts on the piazza under the pergola was just such a special memory. Oh nooooo!!
Was just planning at returning to this beautiful place with three children in tow and show them the view over the bay - where do we go now????
Its just not fair!

Sassafrass

Guzzinic,
I know. Obviously, I feel the same. Every few weeks, I google in hopes of good news, but sadly, none.
There is another hotel in Sorrento that I love and highly recommend. It is, however, much more expensive and often books a year ahead. It is the Hotel Minerva situated high above Via Capo. The main terrace is gorgeous and has a nice, small pool with wonderful views of the Bay of Naples. Many of the rooms have some kind of Terrace. There are several other hotels though that other fodorites like, so I am sure you will find something good.

guzzinic

Hey Sassafras, thank you for the heads up on an alternative hotel. I’d be happy lying under a tree anywhere in Sorrento but Management (the Mrs) thinks different, she likes the look of the Minerva. Are there any “Must do” while in Sorrento and Amalfi Coast?

chrisknowles

It looks like the building at least is being redeveloped.

I have been interested in this building and backdrop for some time now. I walked passed it this morning and it was surrounded by scaffolding and the sound of hammers could be heard. I took a few photos and put together a short blog post entitled ‘Lorelei et Londres, Sorrento - Reopening?’

Hopefully, this building will become a functioning hotel again when the current work has finished - I hope they keep it pained red with the yellow accents and green window frames - it makes the perfect vibrant backdrop together with Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples. It also looks like work is been undertaken at the foot of the cliff next to the sea, wonder if this is related work.

Looking forward to reading other accounts about how developments proceed and whether it does open again as a hotel.

Sassafrass

Wow! Thank you for the first person information.

chrisknowles

If you Google “vittoria galli architecto Lorelei et Londres” you will find more information about the rational of the project. Sorry I cannot post links here as yet. The work seems to be remedial to counteract past neglect, but the changes at the base of the cliff could perhaps indicate something more. If the work is indeed just remedial, it might make the building more attractive for commercial rebirth.

guzzinic

Fantastic news Chris!!
I will be hopefully there in mid September and will check on progress. May even take my nailbag and lend a hand to the renovations and see if I can share a cup of coffee on the balustrade overlooking the bay.
Ah, if only it was still operating.

Sassafrass

Please let it still be a hotel! We don't often return to places, but for lunch or dinner with that view, I will make the trip! Have to take GD and DDs
Would feel I had died and gone to Heaven.

PalenQ

Seems to be a cliff-hanger mystery as to why that hotel or location does not demand top bucks to reestablish something there - there's more to the story than we know I guess.

chrisknowles

I have wondered about that very thing for many years. The location is absolutely magnificent.

Sassafrass

Not just the location, but the way the building is situated on the grounds is unique. I used to watch for the first glimpse of it from ferries as we came into Sorrento.

From what I understand, the owners were going to update and add rooms to an upper floor and were refused permits because the space did not meet current requirements for that use. I wondered if someone else was hoping to acquire it. Then, it was put up for sale for millions and millions of dollars. They said the building was stable, but who knows. That made me wonder too. It sits right on the edge of the cliff, but do do many others in that area.

I do hope they keep it as a hotel and keep that lovely redish color and have a good restaurant.

miket123

this is great news! I check back every couple of months because we had such good memories of staying here. I just hope it doesn't turn into an ultra-expensive boutique hotel since that would be so contrary to what it was before.

BTW for people looking for similar views let me recommend the restaurant Foreigners Club in Sorrento. They have a great patio with similar views out over the bay, and we'd try to go there for a drink and the end of the day and soak in the view.

Sassafrass

We used to really enjoy the Foreigner’s Club too, ended many evenings in Sorrento there, but that was twenty years ago. Food was just OK, but the setting Is so lovely. Is it still nice with live bands?

AndyBates

What a treat to come across this thread. In 1993 my husband and I, 2 very small children and grandparents, booked 2 weeks in a big high rise hotel in Naples. It was nearly empty and soulless, you had to go through a security gate to enter. After one night we decided that the hotel and Naples were not the place to stay for a fortnight, so cross referencing Fodors and Lonely Planet we booked The Lorelei in Sorrento. What a find, I agree entirely with the comments in this thread. We had a large shabby, but clean, ground floor room overlooking the bay of Naples, underneath the window was a beautiful grove of lemon and orange trees (it made me feel I was in the novel 'My Family and Other Animals ' by Gerald Durrall!) Every night a different cruse ship stopped in the little bay in front of our window. The bathroom was ridiculously small, with a tiny window that you sat with your back to, with your knees up round your ears when you were in the bath; the view behind you was spectacular! Every time I boiled water to make milk for my baby, we fused the electrics. The atmosphere in this hotel is like no other I have ever stayed in (and I have stayed in many!) I often think about it and asked a friend to go and look on my behalf, when she was staying in Sorrento 2 years ago, she sent me photos, so so sad to see it derelict. I would to love to stay there again, however I agree that if it was changed into a modern day hotel, it would lose its incredible charm, sadly I think those days are gone! However, it would still be in a special spot with those incredible views. I wish I had lots of money, I would buy it in a heartbeat!

Sassafrass

maavley