I would like to know if anyone could give me feedback on 2 hotels in Positano. One is Bucco de Baco and the other is Covo dei Saraceni. I have booked the latter but the first one looks great too. Any comments? Also, looking for a good 4 star hotel in Florence and Rome. Thanks alot.

Hi Ellen...I stayed at covo this past september on my honeymoon. We loved it. Our room was huge with french doors that led out to a nice deck/balcony..with view of sea and the other side of the positano hill.<BR>The room was spotless and romantic (chiffon curtains around the bed). The bathroom was large and clean too. <BR>However, we were stuck there for 2 extra days because of 9/11. They moved us to a much smaller and less luxurious room. The type that you can barely walk around the bed. Note that I was waltzing around the other room! Anyway..my point is--great hotel...but the rooms vary--a lot! I think that part of the hotel is 4 star and part of it is 3 star (albergo).<BR>Nice pool overlooking the sea, too.

Thanks Barbara. by any chance do you remember the room number of the larger more spacious room at the Covo? Thanks

Ellen..sorry for the delay...our receipt says camera 25...I am pretty sure that is the original room. Pretty sure it is considered a suite.<BR>Good luck--have fun..<BR>barb

Ellen,<BR><BR>I stayed at Buca di Bacco last September and we absolutely loved it.<BR>I found the room was a decent size, not huge, but not small either and you won't have to pay suite prices. We loved the view from the balcony. Your one deciding factor will be whether or not a pool is important to you. Bucca doesn't have a pool. Other than that, the two hotels are located very close to each other and both will be great choices. <BR><BR>The one thing I can say about Bucca di Bacco is that the service is excellent. I actually left something in the hotel and they mailed it to me in the states free of charge. <BR><BR>Florence- look into Hotel Benivieni. It's a relatively new hotel located very close to the duomo. It's only rated with 3 stars, but I would say that it deserves 4. <BR>http://www.venere.it/it/firenze/benivieni/<BR><BR>Hope this helps.

Ellen:<BR><BR>Look at Conde Nast Traveller's list for suggestions on 4 **** hotels in Florence & Rome. Can access the "2002 Gold List" at:<BR>http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/<BR><BR>

We have stayed twice at the Covo dei Saraceni, both times in room 25, most recently in 1998 before what I gather was a major renovation. We loved it. View onto the busy fishing/bathing harbor. Nice pool. Pleasant room. One of our 6 favoite places in the whole world. Ate at Bucco de Baco and never saw their rooms but just can't imagine that it is as swell as the Saraceni. Enjoy. You'll love it.