europhile

My husband and I are finally returning to the Amalfi Coast for some much needed R&R in June. On our honeymoon, we stayed at Le Sirenuse and loved Positano. Unfortunately, Le Sirenuse (and its competition San Pietro) are both showing rates of 650-850 euros for their most standard rooms. We can't splurge that much, but we still want to be pampered in a fabulous hotel with a fabulous pool and view. Both Palazzo Avino and Santa Caterina are options, but I can't decide! Our basic day to day itinerary will be relaxing by the pool sipping cocktails, venturing out for lunches and dinners, and brousing the town shops, galleries, etc. This is what we did in Positano and we were never bored. We would likely visit Positano one day, and may try to do a boat charter down the coast one day. Otherwise, I imagine us sticking in the town where we stay. We're going for 4 or 5 nights, then on to Rome for 2 nights before we fly home (by the way, a good, well located but not too pricey Rome hotel is also needed!). Which hotel/town would you choose? Thanks for any suggestions!

bobthenavigator

I would pick Santa Caterina because of location.
Ravello is lovely but quite isolated in the hills above Amalfi. SC is right on the water and on the main road for access to all of the AC.

Look at Punta Regina in Positano. Much less $$$ and a good location for R&R.

ekscrunchy

Palazzo Avino, the former Palazzo Sasso, is a divine place to stay. Unlike the pool at the Santa Caterina, the one at Avino is heated and that might make a big difference in June if you actually plan to swim. While the pool at Caterina is on the sea, the Avino also has a beach club, accessible by the hotel's free shuttle bus. You will have to walk a lot of steps to reach the sea, but the view is divine. For me the sea would be too cold to swim in June.

You know that Santa Caterina is slightly west of the town of Amalfi, right? I walked it easily but others do not like the walk along the busy road.

Tough decision..both are gorgeous!

europhile

Bob- the Punta Regina does look lovely, but it's sold out for our dates. Are you familiar with the Eden Roc? It has rooms available. My dilemma is, I love the town of Positano, but I'm wondering if it's better to go with a less luxurious hotel to be in that location, or stick with the 5 star hotels in a less desirable location. What do you think?

ekc

I would stick with a less luxurious hotel in Positano, rather than a 5-star in Ravello (which is too remote) or Amalfi (which is not as picturesque).

In case you didn't visit when you were in Pos before, I highly recommend a day spent at Laurito Beach. Catch the Da Adolfo boat at the "pier" in Pos (a small boat with a red fish on the mast) and take the 10-minute ride to the small cove of Laurito Beach, where you can spend several hours lounging on the sunbeds and having a fantastic lunch in your swimsuit at Da Adolfo!

If you stay in Positano, you can always catch a cab to ISP for sunset cocktails on their amazing terrace.

rineurope

europhile,

One suggestion... if you're planning to stay in any of these hotels on your break: Hotel Caruso Ravello, Hotel Santa Caterina, Il San Pietro Di Positano, J.K. Place Capri, Le Sirenuse, Palazzo Avino.... then find s Virtuoso agent to book your rooms. For the same - or better - prices than you can get on the internet you'll get a possible upgrade and free amenities.

For example, at the Hotel Santa Caterina, the Virtuoso amenities include:

- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Buffet breakfast for up to two in-room guests, in breakfast loung/terrace
- A bottle of Prosecco wine and homemade cookies
- A fruit basket
- Gift shopping (value up to US $100 per room, per stay) on local ceramic items in boutique

You would get all this for NO extra charge and at - or below - the B.A.R.

-----------------------------------
At the Palazzo Avino you would get these amenities when booking through a Virtuoso advisor:

- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily buffet breakfast for up to two in-room guests, in restaurant
- Complimentary bottle of Spumante upon arrival
- Free access to the hotel SPA every day during the stay - Including: hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam bath, aromathic showers (15 EUR value per person, per day)
- complimentary Internet service during the stay
- Afternoon Tea for two people, once during stay
- A complimentary departure gift

Again, You won't get these booking on your own with the hotel, or through the internet, only by working through your Virtuoso Advisor, all these are yours for no additional charges!

These are all wonderful hotels. I like both the Hotel Santa Caterina and Palazzo Avino. You can't do wrong with either choice - especially of you can get FREE breakfast or gift shopping! Good Luck!!!

bobthenavigator

I doubt if it is sold out---did you send an email---do not trust the online systems so far in advance.

Also in Positano, look at Poseidon and Covo dei Saracini.

europhile

I didn't send an email, just the online search. I'll try emailing, too. Thanks for the suggestions!

europhile

rineurope- thanks for the info about Virtuoso. I usually book through Amex Platinum, which has similar amenities. However, with Amex you don't necessarily have an expert in the area to work with. If you know of a Virtuoso agent with expertise in the Amalfi Coast, I'd be interested in the contact info. Thanks!

rineurope

Europhile,

AMEX Platinum and Centurion DO have similar benefits - as do Four Seasons Preferred Partners, Ritz-Carlton STARS agencies, Orient-Express Bellini members, Rocco Forte priority agencies, and such.

Full disclosure - I know so much about this as I a member of ALL those organizations and a Virtuoso Agent. So you could contact me through my profile email address... I don't publicly post that info when I reply to msgs in order to comply with Fodor's rules re: self-promotion.

Or, you can check out the Virtuoso site at http://www.virtuoso.com/ourtraveladvisors/ to find an agent and read about the Virtuoso benefits.

Whether you go through AMEX Travel Services or a Virtuoso Agent... it's great to ask for and get "extra" benefits. This is one of those times where the "value" of a stay is enhanced when working through a service or agency, rather than booking or contacting a hotel on your own. Of course, this "line of thinking" applies when dealing with THESE 5-star hotels!

We love the Amalfi Coast area and Capri. It's a totally different lifestyle than the three years we lived in Rome. Despite the chaotic traffic on the coast... **you're still on the coast.** We had the same crazy traffic driving our motorino through Rome every day without the sea views! (Although I actually miss "driving" in Rome).

You'll have a wonderful time no matter what hotel you select. Good Luck on your trip!

epatlovich

My wife and I spent 10 days along the coast this summer. We stayed at the Sirenuse, Sasso/Avino in Ravello and the JK Place in Capri. We went by the Santa Caterina while on a boat trip.

Ravello is a small town up in the mountains while Amalfi is a large town on the water. The view will be far superior in Ravllo and it will be much quieter. Amalfi will be more bustling and crowded. However, it will be more difficult to travel along the coast from Ravello as it is more isolated. Plan on 30 min from Ravello to Amalfi and 40 euro for a taxi or car and much much less if taking the bus.

We loved the Avino. The hotel and setting are wonderful and the price is right. They do have a free beach club down by the Med which is wonderful. We much preferred Ravello over Positano. The crowds were unbearable at times in Positano and the place is just way too touristy. You don't get that feel in Ravello.

The Caterina pool is magnificent. The hotel is right on the main road going down the coast and it is a little ways outside of Amalfi. You cannot walk out the front door of the Caterina and be in the middle of town. For pure setting I would go with the Avino. For ease of transport along the coast I would choose the Caterina.

Either way you will have a great time. Both hotels are top notch. The Sirenuse is wonderful but you can't go wrong with either the Caterina or the Avino.

ekscrunchy

One big plus for the Avino is that the pool is heated. It is also quite a bit larger than the Sta.Caterina pool.

I imagine you will need that if you want to swim in the pool in that month.

sbx427

The Palazzo Avino also has a Clubhouse by the Sea which is open from May to September http://www.palazzoavino.com/en/Clubhouse