Hello everyone,

My fiance and I are planning a honeymoon in Italian for 2 weeks. We are doing Rome, Venice and Amalfi. I really need help with hotels. I think we are going to stay at the Santa Caterina in Amalfi. Can anyone recommend this place or should we stay elsewhere? My price range for hotels in Rome and Venice is $250-$350. Also, is it better to stay on the Amalfi Coast or should we stay in Capri?
Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks in advance!

The Santa Caterina is a fabulous place to stay. Excellent service, beautiful location and views, incredible food. Regarding your question about staying in Capri, I would stay on the Amalfi Coast if I had to choose between the two. I love Capri and have stayed there and would highly recommend it as an additional place to go but not instead of the Amalfi Coast. The beauty of Capri is staying there for a few days and just relaxing, getting the feel of the island, etc. It's not really convenient to stay there as a base for visiting Ravello, Positano, Amalfi, etc. As far as hotels in Rome and Venice, I suggest you take a look at the Karen Brown guidebooks (website is karenbrown.com. I always use her recommendations in Italy and have been very happy because they are 'special' hotels with great service and character. One thing I have found regarding many hotels in Rome and Venice is that the type of room within the hotel can vary tremendously and make a difference in the entire stay. The Danieli in Venice is incredible but not if you get a room in the 'newer' part of the building with no views...it's worth paying the extra for the premium view and nicer accomodations if you're on a honeymoon but that's a personal choice, of course. Also, make sure you mention you're on your honeymoon, often they will upgrade you. Have fun.

My own personal feeling regarding the Amalfi Coast is that you should stay in Positano, especially for your honeymoon. Positano is just more beautiful. If you can afford the Santa Caterina, a much better deal would be Room 210 at Albergo Miramare in Positano. We stayed there at the end of our honeymoon and it was phenomenal. My trip report--which describes the hotel--will come up if you click on my screen name. If you really want to splurge (and want to overpay), you can look at Le Sirenuse, also in Positano.

Because it is bigger, Amalfi will have better transportation to Ravello and other parts of the Amalfi Coast, but I think Positano is, hands down, more beautiful. A better setting for a honeymoon, without question.

Re: Rome hotels. Many people on this thread have recommended the Albergo del Senato, which overlooks the Pantheon. There are lots of threads on this hotels, and others in that price range. Just do a search for "Rome hotels." Good luck.

Another recommendation for Le Sirenuse, if it's within your budget. I prefer it's location to that of Santa Caterina, because it's right in Positano, and puts you within easy walking distance to all of Positano's restaurants, shops, beach, etc. Santa Caterina, as I remember, is about a fifteen- twenty minute walk from Amalfi.
I also really prefer Positano to Amalfi, for it's unforgettable scenery and everything else!

Have a wonderful time, and congratulations!

IMHO Santa Caterina is a much better hotel than Le Sirenuse, but Positano is a better than Amalfi. You can day trip to Capri, Amalfi and Ravello easily from Positano. Tough choice, but one we all would like to have.
Have a fun time.