Ravello or Amalfi
 

I am looking at staying at either Santa Caterina or Palazzo Sasso in September. Any advice?

I would like to have a resort type of atmosphere with balcony, sea view, pool, etc.

Let me know what you think!!!

IIRC the Palazzo Sasso is one of the foremost hotels of Italy.

If you go there, please tell us about it.

For a resort type atmosphere and sea views, I would choose Palazzo Sasso (not to mention its said to be one of Europe's finest hotels).

For touring the coastal towns, I would choose Santa Caterina.

The town of Amalfi is much larger and more vibrant than Ravello. It is also right on the Amalfi Coast main road for easy access for touring. So, for a relaxing environment with incredible views, Ravello is the place. For a nice base from which to see the coast, I would choose Amalfi.

Both towns are beautiful; have a great trip.

Hi -

Stayed at the Santa Caterina last year....stunning location on a cliff with fabulous views of the coast and Amalfi (about 1/4 mile away). Elevator down the side of the cliff to the pool deck and bar with steps to walk right into the sea!
Enjoy -
John

THank you all, I still can't seem to make my final decision, but all of your feedback has helped. I am leaning towards Amalfi due to the location.

Thanks,

Nicole

As you will be there in September and presumably want to spend time by and in the sea, I would choose the Santa Caterina. It is the only luxury hotel on the coast with direct access to the sea, and it is totally private. The Sasso has great views, but it high up in Amalfi and IMO getting down to the coast each day will take more time than you think and will be a bit of a pain. You either have to take a taxi down to Amalfi which will cost about US$30 one way and take about15 minutes, or take the SITA buses, which tend to get VERY crowded and take a bit longer. Same with going back up to Amalfi from the coast. IMO, making this trip every day will get old fast. If you have a rental car, good luck parking in the other coast towns, as well as negotiating the traffic. . .

I love the Santa Caterina for its views, ambience, sea access and food. Lunch in your bathing suit on their terrace with a cold bottle of white wine after a swim in the Med is a great experience! You can walk down to Amalfi in 10 minutes and get ferries or buses to other part of the coast. The hotel also has a free shuttle to Amalfi that runs every half hour or so.

If you don't plan on leaving the hotel, then the Sasso would work. Be sure to ask about room size, as some of the rooms are very small. I am not aware if the hotel offers a shuttle service down to Amalfi on a regular basis, but it is worth asking.