Originally Posted by SanDiego1K

Il San Pietro de Positano, Positano
We had not realized we would only see the chapel on approaching the hotel and overshot it. Fortunately, we quickly realized our error and returned. Our car and bags were quickly whisked away. We were directed down a well landscaped stairway to the lobby, roughly 3 flights of steps. We could begin to see down to the coast, as well as the tennis court at the ground level and the terraces of gardens up the hill. The hotel grows all of its own produce.

This property has 60 rooms. I booked a "junior special room with terrace and sea view". blv had been endlessly patient with me last summer as I was planning this trip. She shared with me pictures of the room she liked as well as giving me its number and that for another room she likes. I had specifically inquired about those rooms via the hotel's US representative. I heard from him a couple times about the renovation work being done at the hotel during the winter and some room number changes that resulted. There was never closure on this. I was given a room completely different than those we had discussed, but none the less lovely. We had room 49 which we thought was a terrific location. Because the hotel is built into the hill, there are only elevators to the four floors above the lobby level. The four floors below have no elevator access. Some of these rooms are great favorites of returning guests because they have the most immediate views of the water. Our room was one level above the dining room. It looked out over a rose garden and had complete privacy with no one able to walk in front of it. Our wall was all glass, as was the bathroom wall. We had a comfortable terrace with two loungers as well as a table and two chairs. It was nice to be able to sit inside and still see the view when the weather was indifferent to poor.

We were very surprised to find that the elevator for our floor actually went all the way up to the parking lot. The bank of rooms in this section of the hotel would be ideal for anyone who has difficulty with stairs. The website gives no sense of what you get for each level of room or how each room within a level is completely different from any other. The website is completely changed from last year, but I still find it incomplete at providing desirable information. I can only suggest calling the hotel directly to understand the rooms better. The hotel has guests who return year after year and have their favorite rooms. I would certainly be happy with the one we had on another visit, though am confident there are many rooms that would satisfy.

I was fascinated by the elevator that was bored in the rock to take folks from the ground level down to the water level. It takes 45 seconds. On the ground level is a small private beach, a larger area with loungers, and a seaside restaurant, Carlino. Weather was poor when we ate, so we were forced inside. Food was excellent. Their gastronomic restaurant was at the lobby level of the hotel, used for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They request that men wear slacks and long sleeved shirts. Probably 75% of the men were wearing jackets. The lobby lounge is very large, as is the outside terrace. Thus, there is not the same sense of intimacy as at the Palazzo Avino.

We appreciated the van service to Positano. There is no place to park. In Positano, you are dropped at the head of a narrow road that goes down to the harbor. It is quite a hike down to where the ferries leave for various destinations.