Could someone offer some insight on how important it is (or isn't) to stay in the town center of Sorrento?

From the posts I've read and other research I've done, it seems like accommodations near Via Capo are more picturesque and cheaper. We'll be staying in Sorrento for 4 nights, all weekdays.

Thanks for any feedback.

But, we won't have a car and would like to make several day trips (Amalfi, Positano, Pompeii, etc.), and will probably be back in Sorrento for dinner most nights.

I'd recommend the Excelsior Vittoria, the best hotel - right in the middle of everything.

If you enjoy walking by all means stay outside the centre, however, I feel that it wastes time having to commute in and out everyday so stay somewhere central.

good idea m-kingdom if someone wants to spend over $500 minimum for a room with a sea view -- much more for a nice room.
maybe you didn't notice that jende mentioned "cheaper".
not all of us are rich Brits.

I like the Hotel Aminta. It's a nice walk down to the city and there's a shuttle that will take you back (it will take you down too, but it's seriously uphill). The views are extraordinary. The hotel is very comfortable.

I think if we're going to stay outside of town, it will be at the Hotel Minerva. We can get it for 140E.

But, I think that after long days of sight-seeing, we're not going to want to "commute" into town to have dinner, etc.

Any recommendations for nice places in the town center (below 200E)?

Have you done a search here for Sorrento Hotels? There have been a lot of lengthy and very informative posts about them recently, including prices people have paid and a number of discussions about the distance of some of the them from town, etc. You can get a lot of information that way and if you have more specific questions about any particular hotel, then you might reask it in a new post.

I've stayed in both La Tonnerella and Minerva (they're across the street from each other on the via capo) and it was about a nice 15 minute walk to town. We like the walk back at night for the spectacular views of the starry night and lights across the bay of naples.

I have stayed both out of the centre of town and right in the centre.

The benefits of staying in the centre are obvious, but the downside we found was the noise. If you do choose to stay in the centre, choose your hotel carfully away from the busier streets.

Staying out of town was nice and the walk in and out made us feel good, especially after a good meal.

If I were to go back again (which I am sure I will one day), I would choose somewhere in town.

Wherever you stay, have fun.

There are lots of postive comments for Il Nido (mine included) if you type it into the search box you will find them. It's about 10 minutes from the center with a free shuttle. Most hotels away from the center have this service. Il Nido has a wonderful restaurant so you wouldnt have to go back into town unless you wanted. Summer prices are 98 euro for a double with balcony/view & AC(88euro w/o view). website is ilnido.it The webcam hasn't been working since Jan.29 but check back and see if they get it repaired - great views of the bay.