Looking to stay in Positano for three nights for my honeymoon. Please tell me which is better, a hotel right by the beach or a hotel higher up with better views? I will have a car and would be able to drive around. Please help!

We decided Ravello for four nights in mid May as we have a car and have driven extensively in IT and most of Western Europe.
M

You would be better higher up. We stayed at Villa Rosa, which was a 7 or 8 minute walk down to the beach. All the rooms have spectacular views and their own terrace. Have a look at their website to get a sense of what I mean. www.villarosapositano.it There are lots of hotels in Positano, so if you want advice on where to stay you should indicate your budget. I think VR was about E160. There is a public parking garage in Positano - you will not be able to use your car in town.

The views are what makes Positano so astonishing, so I'd vote for higher up. We loved the Hotel Poseidon which has gorgeous views from many of its rooms and terraces. It also has some of the best food we've ever had in Italy. However, it is about 300 steps down to the beach from the hotel, so you need to be in fairly good shape to go back and forth each day. This is typical of many of the hotels that are perched over town.

Higher up makes for romantic evenings on your balcony, with a fantastic view. That would be my vote.

Hi H,

People usually go to Positano for the view over the Med.

>..will have a car.

When are you going?
Will you be able to park it?

Usually a car is more hindrance than help on the AC.

What's the rest of the itinerary?

What's your hotel budget?

We are driving to Positano from Rome. We will be staying there for 3 nights and then driving to Naples to fly back home. We currently have Hotel Margharita in Praiano reserved but are thinking we might need to stay in Positano based on what everyone is saying. Would love some good hotel suggestions that are not over 200Euros.

Have you driven in Europe before? Rome, Naples and the AC are probably 3 of the more trickier drives in all of Europe...

I've driven quite a bit overseas and in Mexico and I wouldn't attempt the drive from Napoli to Positano if I didn't have to. You may want to consider taking the high speed train from Rome to Naples and getting a car service from the train station to Positano.

If you do attempt to plan on getting into Positano by 0830 am if you're going in April through Sept.

My suggestion would be to stay higher up and enjoy the views. Besides walking down 557 steps to the beach is a great part of the experience

Stay higher up. It's such a nice walk down to the beach and this way you'll enjoy the view. Wherever you end up staying, it's worth it to book a 'sea view' room with a balcony. It was nothing short of magical waking up in the morning and drinking my coffee on my small balcony at Villa Franca. They have a very small pool and spa at the top of the property/restaurant and bar and charming rooms. This hotel is higher up than most but I walked down into the town every day. They also have a shuttle but I love walking (not a bad option when you're eating gelati every day). I have also stayed at Villa Rosa which is much further down and a very short walk from the water. The view was less spectacular but it's a good option if you want to spend less.

As far as a car, I would drop it off in either Rome, Sorrento or Naples and take public transportation the rest of the way. I have taken the train from Rome to Naples, then a local train to Sorrento and a bus to Positano. There are other options like hiring a car (that's the way to go!).

Definitely higher up for the views. Besides, walking down to the beach will help burn off some calories. With the great food options it's a wonder we didn't gain 10 pounds.