I'm going to Italy and spending three days in Positano. I want to stay at a very nice hotel, and have the choice of Le Sirenuse, San Pietro, or Cove dei Saraceni. It's 2 single girls going, and I don't want something that caters to an older crowd, a very young crowd, or just couples. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I don't have any first-hand knowledge of any of the hotels, however Le Sirenuse was featured in the movie "Only You" starring Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei. It looks fabulous and if I ever stay overnight in Positano (I've just passed through) I will definitely stay there!

<BR>There is NO better place to stay in Positano than La Fenice. It is by far the most charming hotel we have ever stayed at. Ask for the room with a private sit out terrace. The hotel has private entrances to all rooms and is set on a cliff and the views are unbeatable. The best part is that it is close enough to the main town (about 7-8 minutes walk), yet far from the tourist rush. Ofcourse, you have to walk down quite a few steps to get to this magic room, but its well worth it. The owner Constatino is very helpful and their dog Aswaydo is real cute. The room rates were reasonable. We would not even consider anything else.They don't have a web site, if you do a search for La Fenice or Positano in this forum their telephone number and fax will come through some other replies.

Agree with above commentary! I stayed at La Fenice when I first visited Positano 10/97. I'll be staying there again in April. You can find it listed in Karen Brown's Bed & Breakfast for Italy - in fact, if you check her website you may be able to read a brief blurb about La Fenice. However, do note they may not take credit cards (when I was there in 10/97, it was cash payment only). It's a charming place & I found the guests to be from all over the world and of a wide age range. I stayed "below" the street level, which I heartily recommend - you can hear the waves crashing against the rocks further down below. Wonderful to be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the Mediterranean! But there are a few room "above" the street level that may not have a view - so, do ask when you book.

We've stayed at the San Pietro several times. It's a beautiful hotel in a secluded location about a mile outside of Positano. I would describe it as an older couples place. If you want to be in the center of "action" in Positano, the San Pietro is not for you.

I have heard the Posiedon is great and has a pool with wonderful views. I think a picture is on the web site below. <BR> <BR>check out - <BR> <BR>http://italyhotel.com/campania/ <BR>

Claire, <BR>I would also recommend La Fenice, but keep in mind it is not in the luxury class as are the hotels you mentioned in your original message. The rooms are more simple, although comfortable, and there are some more personal advantages. It is small, so service is very personal. You could not ask for a more wonderful host than Costantino and his wife Angela is sweet as well. The hotel has rooms both above and below the road -- lots of steps to walk to reach either, but the romance of the views and gardens make it all worthwhile. We are going back for our fourth stay in October and always have the room mentioned above with the large wrap-around terrace, which has two bedrooms with shared bath. Karen Brown's description is best. Costantino will take good care of you, willing to do anything for you such as recommending restaurants, calling a doctor if needed, handling any problems you might have. You couldn't have a better friend in Positano and, once experienced, La Fenice becomes a part of you forever. The others are much fancier, but La Fenice will capture your heart. Fax # is as follows: 011-39-089-811309.

One question about La Fenice. Is it open the whole month of Oct.? What about Nov.? I have read some books that say hotels close in mid-Oct. <BR> <BR>Also check out the Eyewitnes Guide to Naples and Campania.

<BR>Lisa, <BR>La Fenice is open into November -- we have a friend who just stayed there November of 1998. However, since it is not as busy, only the rooms above the road are available. Just call or fax to Costantino and he'll answer all questions. I don't know how many shops and restaurants stay open, but he knows about everything in town - also knows everyone in town.

Claire, the Covo dei Sarceni is the only hotel of your choices in Positano. It is located down on the beach. They have a nice elevated pool overlooking the beach and sea and they have a nice restaurant. Keep in mind that Positano is built into the side of the mountain cascading down from the main road about half way up the mountain down to the sea. It's a pretty good walk from top to bottom. There are buses, but we didn't take it. It's pretty much up to your persoanl preferences. La Fenice is at the top outside the city. I don't know how convenient that is for return trips during the day.

Claire, <BR>John is mistaken. La Fenice is not at the top of the mountain. It is just a five minute walk from the entrance into the business district of the town. You just follow the wall along the road that overlooks the beach. The road splits and starts up the mountain, but La Fenice is on the lower road. All of Positano is on cliffs, but the walkways from the main street in town down to the beach are a gradual descent. Staying right on the beach could be noisy, since that's where all the nightlife is. If you need some restaurant/market recommendations, just e-mail me. <BR>

Barbara, I stand corrected concerning the location of the La Fenice. I thought it was at the top of Positano outside of the city based on descriptions giving here on the forum. I did not see La Fenice when I was in Positano. However, La Fenice is not right in Positano and I still question if it is convenient during the day to return to the hotel whenever you want. <BR> <BR>We stayed 5 min outside of Positano by car and I didn't find that too convenient. I would opt for staying in Positano the next time. <BR> <BR>I am still confused with your statement that it is near the entrance into the <BR>business district of the town. I thought the business district pretty much started at the top. <BR> <BR>As for your comment that the beach may be too noisy since that's where all the nightlife is .... I assumed, perhaps, incorrectly that's where Claire would prefer to stay. She did say it is 2 single girls going and she didn't want something that caters to an older, a vey young or just couples crowd. Of course, it is Claire's decision. <BR> <BR>My only intent was to give Claire a better understanding and feel for the physical characterisitcs of Positano which would help her with her decision.

Has anyone stayed at the 'Villa Rosa' on Via Colombia in Positano? It's a new listing in the 1999 Karen Brown's B&B. Sounds like it could be a pleasant alternative when "La Fenice" is full. Any firsthand experiences? Or at least a drive-by perspective?

John, <BR> <BR>Actually, Positano does extend all the way up to Montepertuso at the tip-top of the cliffs as far up as you can see, and some of the hotels are on the way up there, as are some of the restaurants. Da Vincenzo, definitely worth the walk, by the way. When staying at La Fenice, there is no need to move your car at all. It's a short and leisurely 5-6 minute stroll into the village, with some shops along the way. People of all ages stay there, even honeymooners and singles and the owner is a great source of help and information. But, you might be right,--they might prefer to be right in the thick of things. If you ever want to exchange any other information about Italy, please e-mail anytime. It's my favorite subject for discussion. Apologies to Claire -- didn't mean to take over your topic. Hope you have a great trip whatever you decide to do. <BR>