Positano narrowed down: Albergo California, Villa Rosa and La Tavolozza
 

I need to hurry up an choose between these three hotels for August 4th-7th for my boyfriend and I. The Albergo California (160 euros) has a room available on the top floor and the Villa Rosa (185 euros) has one available on the 2nd floor ( I am not sure if this is counting the lobby of what). Residence La Tavolozza (110 euros) has a room with a terrace, it is lower than the other hotels but from the pictures on TA it still has good views. I am torn between these. Can anyone say how the breakfasts were at any of these, or the service, which standard rooms are big, or just anything to help me pick one? I am a few hours from just rolling dice, because I have no idea.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Campania.html
http://www.villarosapositano.it/
http://www.hotelcaliforniapositano.it/

I have not stayed at any of these, but I just finished doing my research and booking our Positano hotel for September.

I did not do much research into Albergo California because it was not available for our dates, but we similarly narrowed it down to Villa Rosa and the Tavolozza. We went with Residence La Tavolozza because it was cheaper than Villa Rosa, and we didn't see a compelling reason to pay the higher price (both places seem to have similar, simple decor; they seem to be located near each other with substantially similar views; we didn't mind not having a hair dryer or other amenities, etc.). In fact, we found one compelling reason to choose Tavolozza instead of Villa Rosa, besides the price: Tavolozza is reported to be on the side of the street facing the ocean, so if you are on your balcony you are not overlooking the street (with all its noise/fumes). Villa Rosa, I understand, is on the other side of the street so that its outdoor spaces face the road.

Did Francesca tell you the room number that was available at Tavolozza? 4, 5, and 6 have HUMONGOUS terraces and small, simple rooms. We booked room 3, which apparently is a two room suite, but appears to haev a long but relatively narrow balcony instead of terrace (although still big enough you can sit outside on it). Room 3 is more expensive than 4,5, or 6 due to its extra room, but I wish we had contacted them early enough to get one of the other rooms, as I would love to just hang out on a spacious terrace for hours. My understanding is that 1 and 2 are also good rooms with terraces with good views, whereas 7 and 8 are on the bottom floor and may have only a partial (but still pleasing, if the reviews are to go by) view.

Honestly, I think between Villa Rosa and Tavolozza you will be happy either way -- they both get amazing reviews.

We stayed at La Tavolozza last September and absolutely loved it. It is simple, but the service is just wonderful.
Francesca and her daughter seem to work around the clock. We would wake up at 6 or 7 and they'd be around the property working. We'd come home at midnight or after and they were working. They are always happy to assist you in any way and they are delighful to be around.

Breakfast was basic, but good. I think it was a bread basket (crossaints w/ jam) and maybe some fruit. They take your beverage order the evening before....espresso, latte, juice and bring the order to your room exactly on time. You eat on the terrace if you choose and they set everything up for you.

We needed to call our rental car company the evening before we left. Francesca called for us and worked everything out. We didn't ask, she just offered.

The views were very pretty and the AC works really well. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Wow, thanks for the specifics! I am so neurotic about my hotels even though when I get where I am going I end up happy with anything. I did ask this morning (US East Coast time) about which room so I expect she will email back sometime while I am asleep. She did say the bathroom is in across the hall though. Do you know which rooms have this?

Room 2 is available at Tavolozza

Again, I have not stayed at Tavolozza, but I believe Room 2 is going to be on the "top" floor of the building (which is the level you enter on, as the hill slopes down behind the building). I know that people who have stayed in Room 1, which theoretically is next to it, have raved about the view from that room, and the difference between the view from Room 1 and Room 2 cannot be that different since the hotel is simply not that big. I seem to recall that someone who stayed in Room 1 also posted a picture of the view from his terrace, if that would prove helpful.

Have you read through the reviews on TripAdvisor? I seem to recall -- but would not swear in court -- that at least one review specifically mentioned that they stayed in Room 2. Also, the candid traveler photos on TripAdvisor include one of the exterior of the building, if that is helpful, as well as of the interior of different rooms (I don't think Room 2, though) so you can get an idea of what the vibe will be.

We loved Villa Rosa but in order to be sure to get the great view I would not stay in a room below the third floor.

I did read through the trip advisor but all I saw was that it had a good view of the church.

We stayed at La Tavolozza 2 weeks ago. We had two rooms that combined to make a two bedroom apartment that included a kitchen, living room and two bedrooms. The price (230euros a night) was great for all the space we got. Celeste and her daughters were wonderful and did deliver our breakfast every morning. We had stunning views of the sea, town and the church. Our terrace was very narrow and we usually sat in the living room and soaked in the views. I do agree that being on that side of the street would be preferable. Make sure you go up to Il Retrovo for dinner one night. They have a free shuttle service that will pick you up from the hotel (we did tip the driver). Food was really good, views and drive up were really spectacular.

I would definately stay here if I could be sure room 2 had a good view of the town.

Having a large terrace made our stay in Positano magical. When we were not out sightseeing we spent loads of time on ours sipping wine and limoncello, enjoying our purchases from the delicatessan, and just looking at the magnificent view. I would make certain it had a good size terrace.

Well I am just not sure if Villa Rosa's 2nd Floor is the second floor from the street or what.

My understanding is that rooms 7 and 8 are on the lowest floor of the hotel (as you look at the back of the hotel from the beach) and have only partial views of the city. The other rooms are on higher levels of the hotel and therefore have nicer views. So hopefully that is somewhat helpful.

That being said, I would recommend that you book, if you are going to, promptly. We were booking for early September and 2 days elapsed between the time Francesca first told us what room was available and we emailed back with a question. In that time, someone booked the room we were looking at. Luckily, she had another room available, but it is more expensive and doesn't have as big as a terrace. August is an even more popular time to visit, so if you wait much longer, whether to book the room may become a moot point.

Thanks

When we stayed at Villa Rosa, the front of the hotel faced in the direction of the beach; there were many, many steps up to the reception area. Our room (can't remember the number or what floor it was on) had a spectacular view from the private terrace of the sea and mountains; it overlooked the Sirenuse, which was across the street.

Villa Rosa said that the room is the second floor from the street, so thats a no go.