Hi everyone,
I am starting to plan for my next trip to Italy and for the first time will be going to Naples and the Amalfi coast. Seems to me that it would be smart to pick one place to stay on AC and then make day (or overnight) trips to other places. For example, I'm thinking of booking in Positano for 5 nights and traveling to Amalfi one day, Capri one day, etc. What do you all think of that?

Also, has anyone stayed at Hotel Buca di Bacco ? Trip Advisor lists that as the #1 in Positano. Or do you have another suggestion? I'm flexible on price (but not more than about $400 a night) like place that is quiet, has an awesome view and is well located.

Thanks as always for your help
Susan

What I think of it is that Positano is good or some day trips and not for others, and that were i spending close to $400 a night for a place to stay, it ought to be the kind of place I never wanted to leave.

I've not seen everyplace on the Amalfi coast, but when I was there, I was sorry I bothered with daytrips instead of just relaxing. Nothing against the towns I did day trip to, but I got more of out lazing around my pretty view than huffing and puffing to get to look at another view. And my terrace was private. The rest of the Amalfi was crowded.

All that said, I wish I'd booked many days in Napoli and Pompeii, and plan to go back as soon as I can. If you want to see Napoli, it would make sense to do it on your way to or from the coast, and not as a day trip from a coastal perch.

Five nights on the Amalfi coast would mean for me, a day trip to Amalfi/Ravello by boat then bus, and then 4 days around Positano with a possible day trip to Capri. I could spend the rest of my life sitting on a balcony looking out over Positano and the sea. (In fact, I have instructed my husband and kids to take my ashes there after I die!) You can't go wrong with any of the higher end hotels. Have fun!

we stayed at www.villanettunopositano.it

Dont plan daytrips for everyday. take time to relax...

I think 5 days is perfect--do not miss going up to Ravello. Here are some hotels---Positano is vertical--pick by location.



BOB’S FAVORITE HOTELS IN POSITANO

MID RANGE 3 STAR HOTELS---150 TO 250E FOR DOUBLE—AVERAGE 170E

1. www.villarosapositano.it Popular B&B with great views—lots of steps

2. www.hotelcaliforniapositano.it Small hotel near above—great terrace

3. www.casalbertina.it Fabulous views but you will need good legs

4. www.villalatartana.it Good value, lower in town but still good views

5. www.larosadeiventi.net Good centro location and decent value


MORE EXPENSIVE 4 STAR HOTELS---200 TO 350E FOR TYPICAL DOUBLE

6. www.bucadibacco.it On the beach—nice hotel and great food

7. www.hotelposeidonpositano.it Hard to beat in this price range

8. www.puntaregina.com Terrific views and good location

9. www.palazzomurat.it Good centro location—historic site


YOUR BUDGET OPTION IN POSITANO:

http://www.sleepingpositano.com/V-G%.../eng/home.html
Venus Inn B&B: Small B&B with basic rooms and prices 80 to 110E

Hi suz,

The Buca de Baco is a lovely hotel, has good food and is right on the beach.

One of the advantages to Positano is staying up high to see the views.

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we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Buca di Bacco about four years ago...be sure to ask for a room with it's own terrace. Makes for a nice addition to the rooms which are beautifully and simply decorated. When you arrive at the bus stop about midway down the hill, there are motorized carts that will whisk you down to the hotel, luggage and all. The hotel serves a full buffet breakfast (included when we stayed...dunno about now)...and they also have a fine restaurant. Dining choices are quite varied all around the beach area...from paninis and pizza to full meals. We also took two day trips (because we had been to Positano for a longer period before)...took the little 8-10 passenger craft from the dock (ticket kiosks nearby)...to Capri...they sail through the narrow arches, and stop at the green grotto , later the blue...spent a good part of the day on Capri, including lunchtime...took 40 minutes to sail back.

We booked a larger craft for the short sail to Amalfi..then took the bus Bob mentions up the narrow wind-y road to Ravello, passing acres of terraced farmland.....spent a few hours there, bus back to Amalfi ...and same boat back to Positano. So you can take both trips, or just one..and still have plenty of lounge time at the Buca..(hate to tell you what we paid in '04)

stu t.

"I could spend the rest of my life sitting on a balcony looking out over Positano and the sea."
Amen.

We ended up canceling all of day trips and staying in positano for our 4 days...

Our family stayed at the Mirmare several years ago and found it to be completely enchanting, the views magical, location perfect and staff helpful.

www.miramarepositano.it/

Consider spending a day touring the coast from the water - it was one of the best days of our lives!

www.gennaroesalvatore.it/

Enjoy!

So, Suzg, what did you do?

Hi everyone and thanks for the comments. Bob, I haven't done anything yet, as my trip is not for another year. (I like to plan ahead it gives me something to live for). But I do think I will try this hotel Hotel Buca di Bacco. It looks beautiful, gets great reviews on Trip Advisor, etc. I did also look at some of te others suggested. If only I could live there! Sigh. Thanks again for feedback and comments.

Hi!

I'm joining the discussion a bit late but let me suggest the Hotel Poseidon as possible venue n Positano. It has a lot of advantages, Beautiful outdoor dining terrace, pool, sun terrace , great, friendly staff. Center of town with great views.

In terms of itineraries I used ww.positanoadventurewalks.com.
They go places that others don't and you really get to know the area and its people. They are English speaking.

Another country heard from. consider Covo dei Saraceni. It's down on the beach like Buca de Bacco, but has it's own pool and a view over the full beach from the side. We took one look at it the first time we went to Positano and opted for 6 nights. We've stayed there each time we've returned and always loved it. Unfortunately the price keeps creeping up, but it is magical.

<i>Unfortunately the price keeps creeping up, but it is magical.</i>

Julie and SuzeG:

I just checked the web page for Buca di Bacco...we paid €170 for TWO when the € was 1.20...today the rate is a up to €270 for two, with € still rising at 1.41...a difference of 5 years...I suppose it should be expected these days.

stu

"I could spend the rest of my life sitting on a balcony looking out over Positano and the sea."

I had the same thoughts when I was there. Here is a webcam that will let you do that. It is 9:30pm here in San Rafael, Calif so if you click on this webcam right now it will be 6:30 am and
the sun is coming up.
My favorite webcam. This is the view you get from Hotel California



http://www.campaniameteo.it/streaming.php?id=20

We've stayed at the Palazzo Murat for the last couple of times that we've been in Positano. It's a great hotel in a much better position that most.

I wouldn't have wanted to stay on the beach level, as it's a hike up every time you want to go somewhere. It's a much better idea to stay close to the village centre and have an easy getaway for trips out.

If you're hiring a car, this is much more relevant in terms of parking etc. The Murat gets booked up way in advance though.

dok9, thanks for that webcam address.
SuzG, the pool you see in the webcam view is the pool of the Covo dei Sarceni. The view from their balconies is of the beach from the opposite direction. whichever direction you choose. it's magical. Enjoy.

We stayed at the Villa La Tartana and we loved it. We had a great view and the distance to the beach was not far at all. Every morning they brought our breakfast to our room and we were able to enjoy it on the balcony and soak up the scenery.

tagging for future reference

We just returned from a wonderful week in the middle of June 2009 in Positano. We stayed at the Hotel Marincanto. I cannot say enough great things about this hotel. Placement was perfect walking distance to town and the staff was very helpful, especially the owner, Monica. The hotel also has direct access to the beach. I would encourage relaxation and a few day trips. Positano is perfectly placed for day trips (30 minute boat ride to Capri). Really Positano is enchanting and we cannot wait to return.