hi everyone<BR>i really need some help/input/feedback.<BR><BR>we're going to be staying in 4 regions during our 2 weeks in Italy (end sept/early oct).<BR>i've been reading this forum daily for the past 2 months or so and needless to say, have received a lot of information.<BR><BR>places<BR>a. florence<BR>b. tuscany hillside<BR>c. rome<BR>d. positano (coast)<BR><BR>everything is set except for positano.<BR>i reserved a room at the Villa Rosa and got room #29 which has a "partial view".<BR>at this point we decided since this is our last leg of the trip we wanted to get a little more -- specifically something nice with a full sea/city view.<BR><BR>i've restarted my positano research again and ended up finding availability at the following:<BR><BR>hotel villa franca (was my first choice BUT they only have availability in their annex @Eu 315 - which is a bit steep for 4 nights).<BR>hotel california (Eu 160/night, no smoking, terrace, sea/city view)<BR>albergo casa albertina (half board accomodations Eu 217/night, balcony facing sea)<BR>marincanto (standard Eu 150, superior Eu 217 - only difference listed is that the superior comes with jacuzzi bath/shower)<BR><BR>having never been, i don't know where any of these are located in terms of up/down the cliff, close or not so close to the "downtown"<BR>I'd like to be able to have easy access to the ferry/hydrofoil to visit other areas (capri, amalfi, pompeii)<BR><BR>Thanks, i really appreciate ANY and ALL feedback.<BR>I have less than 5 weeks left - can hardly wait.<BR>

Please????

I haven't stayed at any of these places (we stayed at a smaller village on the coast -- without a view -- and regretted not having a view!). Based only on your descriptions, I'd opt for casa albertina.

btd<BR><BR>If you want a 'real' view try the Hotel Belvedere. It is not in Positano, but Conca dei Marini - 3 kms from Amalfi. Our room 102 (183 Euros) shared a 30 x 30 balcony with a 180 degree postcard view with 2 other rooms. Stunning.<BR><BR>The hotel is on a cliff (of course) that juts out into the Med. The swimming pools is 2oo ft below on the cliffs.<BR><BR>The hotel is also a SITA bus stop that makes travelling to other towns very easy.

Hi,<BR><BR>We were in Positano last September for our honeymoon and stayed at the Miramare. We thought it was absolutely amazing! The best views in Positano, over the sea and the town. We spent an incredible week there and hated to leave. The entire hotel is immaculate and oozes understated elegance. Room 210 is incredible as it has the most private terrace with absolutely breathtaking views. The service was amzing from top to bottom and breakfast delivered to your private terrace every morning was sublime! <BR>

btd,<BR>I've stayed in the Villa Rosa --- don't recall which room number. Cannot speak to their interior, but have walked by two of the hotels on your list, the Casa Albertina and Hotel California. I have the habit of noticing other hotels that I've researched once I'm actually in a town. Based on exterior and their location, I'd go for the Casa Albertina first (it's located on the road overlooking the water below --- guessing a beautiful view of the bay) and the Hotel California second (it's on the upper side of the road). I also think that Casa Albertina is mentioned in Karen Brown's Bed & Breakfasts in Italy --- you can check online for her comments.

Oooops, wrong hotel. Looked on the Karen Brown site (http://www.karenbrown.com) and the one she talks about is the Casa Cosenza, NOT the Casa Albertina. I do think I've seen positive comments on this forum re: Casa Albertina.<BR><BR>

BTD: We just returned from the Hotel California in July. I could not find much about it before we left, but I was delighted that we chose it. Be sure to ask for a room with a view, because some rooms do open onto the terrace. We were in the new part, and the room was nice--tiled with simple furnishings and lovely alcoves for the the TV and bed. The bath was a good size and very nice. The view from both the terrace and the balcony of our room was gorgeous. Maria and Tony made reservations at La Tagliata up in the mountains, and we enjoyed that very much. They were very helpful in every way. It was next door to the Villa Rosa without all of the steps. It is across the street from Le Sirenuese where we had a pretty good, but very expensive dinner. I plan to go back to Positano and to the Albergo California.

thanks for the replies<BR>one thing I forgot to ask was about bathrooms.<BR>none of the websites for the positano hotels I've researched show the bathrooms (unlike the websites for hotels in florence/rome).<BR><BR>anymore feedback/input is very much appreciated.<BR><BR>thanks again.

I am going to Positano too in the mid-sept for 2 nites stay. Me too get first day with a room view partially obstructed. So I have the same problem. I know Hotel Miramare is great but fully booked. Would Hotel Marincanto good for the money that cost EUR 268 for a junior suite? And what about Hotel l'ancora costs EUR 310 wit jaccuci on terrance? <BR><BR>And can someone tell me the website/email address of Hotel California?<BR><BR>thx

Forget to quote the room view being obstructed is with Villa Rosa.

We stayed at the annex at Villa Franca and thought it was wonderful, it is nicer, I think, to have views of the city and of the sea, at night the sea is just black and over the city you have the lights and the best of both. The restaurant is wonderful and the breakfast buffet is lush with alot of choices and you sit on the veranda with the views. The price sounds a little steeper than what I remember though, we were there two years ago. But the annex is nice even better than the main hotel I think.

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Hi BTD,<BR><BR>I stayed in Positano and check out many of the smaller boutique hotels. You can read my review if you type in "kiki" into the search box. I actually saw a room at the Villa Rosa, and would stay there the next time b.c the location is great - it is not far from walking down toward the shops, and is across the street from some good hotels. Plus the view is the same as Le Sirenuse. Just ask them where your room is located. It may be on the lower floor, so it is partially obstructed, but there are so many places to see the view at nite from restaurants that you won't be disappointed.<BR><BR>I also listed key restaurants and shopping stops in my review if you are interested.

Thanks KiKi for your reply. I saw your other review and have the following questions, please let me what you think.<BR><BR>My Plan<BR><BR>I am going to have 3 nites stay in Naples surrounding areas in coming Sept. I will be picked up by private car at Naples central station, First 2 nites, I will stay at Villa Rosa, Positano, planning to go to Ravello and Amalfi. The third nite, I have booked Hotel Johanna Park in Sorrento because I plan to visit Capri for Blue Grotto and if time allows, Pompei, and Sorrento seems to be convenient for both.<BR><BR>My questions:<BR><BR>1. I saw in your other review, you would stopover for Herculaneum. Should I stopover on first day for Pompei instead and leave the 3rd nite stay at Positano as well?<BR><BR>2. Is villa rosa preferred to L'Acora or Hotel Marincanto suites (1st night room view at villa rosa is obstructed?<BR><BR>3. What is the best way to go back to Naples from Positano then?<BR><BR>Many thanks, awaiting for your earliest reply. Daisy

We are actually heading to Positano for our second time. It is out of the way, but we LOVE Albergo California. Maria has become a good friend of ours sending Christmas cards etc. She runs a wonderful hotel (It has even been updated since we were there four years ago, but we thought it was wonderful the way it was. She takes such good care of her guest. She took us up to a family restaurant for dinner and rented us a private boat to take us to a private beach. I would highly recommend Albergo California. Ciao

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