Positano vs. Amalfi vs. Praiano
 

hey all, planning my July 2018 honeymoon and I am trying to determine which part of the AC I want to stay on.

I do not have the budget to stay at high-end 4-5* resorts - looking to spend ~$300USD/night.

as of now I booked the Hotel Santa Margherita in Praiano but I am still cross-shopping a few other properties including:

Casa Buonocore - Positano

Hotel Marincanto (not sure if there's availability) - Positano

Albergo California - Poistano

Hotel Marina Riviera - Amalfi

any thoughts, insight, advice much appreciated!

I think just being on the AC is a win. We stayed in Positano a few years ago and loved our time there. I know many prefer Amalfi since it is more centrally located.

While I didn't stay at Hotel Marincanto, I have friends who love the property and since it is close to Le Sirenuse, they visit that property for drinks and a special dinner at La Sponda. Not 100% sure but think Hotel California is in the same area. The great part about that part of Positano is it is high up...the views are so gorgeous and it felt less crowded to us.

http://francosbar.com/en

https://sirenuse.it/en/restaurants-bars

If you like wine, look into a day with Swirl the Glass. They will pick up and drop off at your hotel. We visited Tenuto San Francesco with them for a wine tasting and lunch. The food was wonderful and so was the wine. It's a beautiful property and a fun day.

Good luck planning and congratulations.

I don't know without checking each hotel you mentioned, but I would want to make sure that I had a pool in July.

Also, I personally find Praiano difficult for transportation.

What do you want to do while there? If you want to see the area, Praiano poses some transportation challenges (as tuscanlifeedit notes). Not that the challenges are insurmountable....

Or you might consider picking a splurge for a night or two (again, I'd go with Ravello, but know you had ruled that out) with a more costly options -- perhaps in Amalfi -- for the remainder of your time. Just a thought....

... with a LESS costly option ....

would it be too ambitious/too much work to do a couple nights in a more budget-friendly locale and a few nights in something higher-end, say, up in Ravello?

Depends on you! Some people find it loathsome to relocate. I don't -- but then, I travel solo and reasonably light.

As I suggested on at least one of your other threads, I adored Ravello -- it remains one of the most magical places I've ever visited, and I've been fortunate to see some amazing places! To be able to savor those views, take leisurely walks through both of Ravello's glorious gardens ... well, I think it could be quite special for a honeymoon. JMO.

I can recommend that you take a look at Casa di Vania in Ravello. It is a 5 minute walk from town, a 2 minute walk/stair climb to the Niemeyer auditorium, and has *spectacular* views and a gorgeous bedroom with beautifully mosaicked shower/bathroom and delightful hosts, a French wife and Italian husband. We paid about 100 euros a night.

However, it is b&b, and it does not have a pool. Ravello is less accessible than Amafi which is good (peaceful and lovely) and not (very nice SITA buses or taxi /driver to other spots, except for walking/hiking around).

For an anniversary two years ago we stayed a week at Casa di Vania for less than two nights at the wonderful Le Sirenuse in Positano.

We enjoyed life on the piazza in Ravello, visiting Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo, and attending chamber music concerts in a 15th century church.

We had also previously stayed at the Luna Convento hotel in Amalfi, ostensibly founded by St Francis and his order. Quite nice, views are great.

Nonetheless, when we returned to AC a month ago, we stayed in Ravello the whole time, and took one foray into Amalfi, from which we took the ferry to Salerno but you could take to Capri or Positano.

Five minute walk to town meaning to the main piazza. It is in Ravello.

I can comment on the Marina Riviera in Amalfi where I stayed in May 2015. I liked both Amalfi and the hotel a lot. Pluses: Great views, superior hospitality, excellent breakfasts served on the terrace, 5 minutes to the main piazza, rooftop pool (didn’t use). Minuses: problematic wi-fi. Not a problem for me but could be for others: overlooks the main road, no grounds/garden. Daytripped to Positano by ferry and to Ravello by bus.

I did not like staying in Praiano as much as in Amalfi. Transport is too problematic, especially in July. If you do not mind changing hotels mid-stream, you might take a look at Furore, where the prices are lower and the views are divine. I stayed at Hotel Bacco, but there are other options.


http://www.baccofurore.it/en/

Ravello is gorgeous.

Thank you all for the advice thus far!

I just returned from my 6th trip to Positano and for the first time we had to relocate in the middle of the trip (we changed apartments due to scheduling issues). My travel partner and I (both of whom are light packers) said we would never change accomodations during a trip to the AC again.

There are so many beach choices that we have never missed having a pool. But if you spend a few days in Ravello, a pool might be worth it because it can be a hassle to get to/from Amalfi from Ravello.

If you want to stay put, Praiano is a good option. But if you want to travel around, transportation is an issue from there.

1) I think you might be overthinking this, and 2) You have never told us how you wish to be spending your time once there--i.e., sitting by the water, or doing lots of day trips? The transport issues have been spelled out.

We drove through the Amalfi coast on a day tour only, but I loved Ravello. Amalfi was crazy crowded, Positano slightly better but I felt Ravello was where I would have stayed. On our trip we stayed in Sorrento,since we were touring Italy. If interested, please check out my Italy trip details at www.diyfamilytravels.com

We stayed in Positano at the Hotel California some years back; not needing a pool, we found it a great value compared to more expensive places and with the same killer views. We took day trips, one by boat down to Amalfi for the day, and up to Ravello as well. Another day we booked a trip to Amalfi, if we had had more time, I would have booked us for a night or two there.