Re: Sorrento or Positano
Hi, I'm a budget traveler but like to stay in charming inexpensive places. What would you suggest? Right now I'm booked 4 nights at Il Nido Hotel in Sorrento (view and hotel bus service). I saw the movie Only You with Marisa Tomei and just loved Positano. We are not driving. Would it be better to stay 2 nights Sorrento, 1 night Positano, and then back to Sorrento at Il Nido for one night. We would leave our main luggage at Il Nido if we go to Positano for one night. Also, what hotel with view in good location in Positano? Thank you!

Personally I wouldn't stay in Sorrento that long. Positano is much better. We've stayed at the il Nido and it was nice. Have their Caprice in the restaurant. The way they prepare it is delicious.

Another vote for Positano. Try the Hotel California for a good budget stay with a great view. Ask for an upper level room. It is across the street from the Sirenuese, and the view is the same, but the price is!

I also vote Positano. Stayed there for 4 nights and 1 night Ravello. You really have to enjoy Positano at night, somewhere with a view overlooking the town and the water (we stayed at the Poseidon with a terrace). It's like in a painting, magical and serene. Ravello would be a great day trip. We drove to Sorrento and it didn't take our breath away like Positano.

Try to reserve a room with a terrace in Posistano, grab a bottle of Prosecco, and see if Sorrento even enters your mind a few hours later... I can almost assure you it won't.

We stayed at the Poseidon, but I think it's gotten pretty expensive. I'd go with what other posters recommend.

Have a great time!

Marty, do you have a website for Hotel California?

Another vote for Hotel California but, I have to say it's more moderate than budget. I paid €145 for a double on the upperlevel w/view this past May. Amazing view and huge room.

Dori, don't think they have a website anylonger.

Looks like I'm in the minority but give me Sorrento any day over Positano. True the view from the hilltop hotels in Positano will take your breath away but so will constantly climbing up and down the side of the mountain to go anyplace in town. Sorrento makes a much better base from which you can take day trips to Positano, Amalfi, Ravello etc on the cheap, reliable SITA buses or train to Pompeii or ferries to Capri and Ischia. Lots more to do in Sorrento with all the shops, restaurants, cafes, Foreigner's Club, marinas (2) etc.

Just my opinion and your mileage may vary. There just may not be a wrong answer to your question as the entire Amalfi Coast area is fabulous. You'll have a great time whichever you choose. And I too first got interested in the Amalfi Coast by seeing Marisa Tomei in "Only You". Been there 3 times and for 6 weeks total since then.

Larry J

The Amalfi Coast in one portion of our trip to Italy. The California Hotel in Positano has rate of 150 euro and can get two nights. Since we are not renting a car, how about this: Rome to Naples, train to Sorrento, stay one night at Il Nido. Leave our main luggage at Il Nido and bus to Positano for two nights at California Hotel. Do we need to take a cab after we get off at the bus stop in Positano?

In the Hello Italy book budget hotels it says Da Costantno restaurant serves delicious homemade food along with spectacular view of Positano, Montepertuso and Nocelle. It says highly recommended by Maria, Hotel California. Will also definitely get a drink a La Sirenuse.

continuing message:
For the second day in Positano, would you recommend enjoying Positano for another day or go to Ravello for the day and return to Positano at night?

for the check out day (3rd day) is it easy to go to Capri with some luggage? Is there a place in Capri where we can store our luggage for the day before we return to Sorrento Il Nido for the last night on the Amalfi coast.

Thank you for your help. This is my first time to Italy and will be my third trip to Europe.

IsisMnroe: No need to grab a cab after you get off the bus at Positano. Since you won't be carrying any luggage it will be an easy walk to the hotel. Da Costantino does have a wonderful view of Priano. Food is good and prices are better than the ones in town.

Definitely try to fit Ravello into your itinerary. The villas are just beautiful. The only thing I hate were the bus schedules (never on time and always crowded), but it beats paying cab fares.

I agree that it's an easy walk from the bus stop to the Hotel California, but just be sure to get off at the right bus stop. The bus from Sorrento stops when you first reach Positano, bypasses the town, and then stops again at the other end of Positano. I can't remember the name of the first stop, but I'm pretty sure the second Positano stop is called "La Sponda", and from there it's only about 50 yards or so downhill to the Hotel California.

Definitely do Ravello. As much as I love Positano, there's not all that much to do there.

A day trip to Capri with luggage sounds like a lot of work. Maybe you could go directly to Positano for the first two nights, day trip to Ravello (and Amalfi) the next day, then stay in Sorrento two days, one of which would include a day trip to Capri.

Just got back from a week staying in Sorrento. Recomend Sorrento as a base the whole time, totally central to Pompei, Naples, Herculanium, Capri, Positano, Ravello and Amalfi.

IsisMnroe -There is a 'Left Luggage' facility at Marina Grande in Capri.

It's at the 'CAREMAR' office next to the funicular (- 100m from the dock).

Hope this helps ...

Steve