Sorrento is an option we are considering for a May trip. I have been looking on venere.com but dont know which section of the city is "best" to stay in. Any suggestions?

I think it's best to stay near the old town and Piazza Tasso. Any hotel in or near this area puts you close to lots of good restaurants, shopping, and the marina, where boats depart for Capri, Positano and Amalfi. If you post your budget, you're sure to get lots of recommendations.

Sorrento is really up on a cliff above the port/marina. You take the bus when you want to catch a ferry at the marina. The train station is just a few blocks from Piazza Tasso.
http://www.sorrentoinfo.com/map/map_english.asp

I would avoid staying in some of the hotels up via Capo. Nothing against them - as I have not stayed in any of them - but I think it can be inconvenient. There are several hotels situated about a 10-15 minute walk from Piazza Tasso on via Capo going up a hill along the coast, but this distance is not the issue for me. There is a minimal amount of sidewalk along this road and sometimes I feel (and fear) for those that are taking the walk on a narrow path to/from Sorrento while cars, mopeds and buses whiz by. I'm sure the views in hotel rooms looking over the marina and peninsula are beautiful though.

I also vote for a place near Piazza Tasso. We stayed at Hotel Antiche Mura, which is very near to Piazza Tasso but should be quiet. At least, our room was very quiet. It's conveniently located to most activities.

Hello orangetravelcat! We, too, stayed at Antiche Mura and found the location perfect for our vacation. It was within an easy walk of the train station (for daytrips to Naples & Pompeii) as well as Piazza Tasso for nighttime enjoyment. The hotel had a shuttle with which they gladly took us to/from restaurants down by the marina for dinner. Hope this helps with your planning...

I'll check out the Hotel Antiche Mura. Thanks. Any other suggestions?

My daughter and I stayed at the Grand Hotel Riviera and liked it very much - wonderful sea views. Actually we got a cheaper room but each evening we went out to the terrace that overlooks the Bay of Napoli and had wine watching the sunset - priceless! This hotel is about a 10 minute walk from Piazza Tasso but flat and sidewalks - not up Via Capo. The staff at the hotel was very helpful - they even sell bus tickets there for taking the bus down to the marina or to other parts of the city. Rooms and bath were quite good sized by European standards! Nice pool on top of the cliff and bathing dock down by the sea as well. Have a wonderful trip!

If it's not out of your budget, consider the Bellevue Syrene located right on the edge of the cliff. Wonderful Belle-Epoque hotel with beautiful views of the bay, Naples and Vesuvius. It's a few blocks farther from the train station than Piazza Tasso but a very walkable distance (without luggage!).

We booked a room at the Hotel Admiral in the Marina Grande area. The hotel has a shuttle, or there is a bus for 1 euro, if we don't feel like doing the 10-15 minute walk to town. The hotel is waterside and reasonably priced.