Spending 4 nights in the AC the 1st week of October and considering Positano and Praiano. Looking for someplace quiet, but concerned about transportation issues in Praiano, so am now leaning towards Positano. Considering the following places in Positano: Rifugio degli Dei and Hotel Villa Gabrisa - very different. Any feedback on these places or other suggestions much appreciated.

Don't know about those hotels but Positano is magnificent- you'll love it!

I'm not familiar with any of these hotels, but just looking at a google map it seems that Rifugio degli Dei is not actually in Positano. Will you have a car?
Spending 4 nights...if you plan to take the ferry to Amalfi or Capri, how will you get to the ferry? Or to Positano itself, which is beautiful.
Just wondering...

Villa Gabrisa is great. We stayed there in April. Get one of the rooms on the 2nd floor with a 24' by 24' balcony overlooking the Mediterranean. Spectacular views. People are very nice. Several really good restaurants nearby. A little hike up the hill, but the bus stop is next door.

We stayed in the hotel Pupetto and were very satisfied - but it is a bit off the beaten track. That's partly why we really enjoyed it.

Villa Rosa has spectacular views of both sea and mountains.

Budget?

Here are a few :

POSITANO: 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 Has apts. in the old town---more private

Another vote for Villa Rosa

bobthenavigator, not sure why you are calling Villa Rosa a B&B. It was a hotel when we were there about 10 years ago,and the website still calls it a hotel. It has all the characteristics of a hotel. A continental breakfast is included in the price, but it's still a hotel.

We were there in May and loved it. Yes, it's still a hotel, yes, it has lots of steps (especially if you have a room on the higher floors, that have the better views), and yes, we would stay there again without a second thought.
Definitely the best croissants I ever had

We stayed in La Fenice in June and loved it. Private beach, pool, amazing views, delicious breakfasts and wonderful hosts. It's a five to ten minute walk into town.