Amalfi Coast Hotels, Italy: which one?
Jul 22, 2017, 12:01 pm
#92
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This is a GREAT thread. I'm doing my research for my first trip to the Amalfi Coast. I booked 2 nights at the Palazzo Avino in Ravello. 3 nights at the Il San Pietro di Positano and 2 nights at the Hotel Excelsior Parco on Capri.
Would any of you recommend staying in another hotel on Capri vs. the Hotel Excelsior Parco? If so, would appreciate hearing some recommendations for hotels on Capri.
Would any of you recommend staying in another hotel on Capri vs. the Hotel Excelsior Parco? If so, would appreciate hearing some recommendations for hotels on Capri.
Jul 22, 2017, 12:15 pm
#93
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Jan 7, 2018, 6:45 am
#97
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Amalfi in April
Two slightly older people in Italy for one month. We will be in Rome in April for 6 nights then planning to visit friend in Toscana later. Friend suggested we go to South to Amalfi coast and then travel back up to Florence' Venice then visit (hopefully). Looking for hotel suggestions in amalfi coast first. Not looking to break the bank as we have whole ,onth of planning. But do want excellent hotel. Looked at Belmond Caruso. Looks fabulous. We know steps are everywhere but will try to minimize some f the hiking. One of us mentioned Naples first? Any suggestions to that? An excellent place to stay there?Elena Ferrante tour?
But really looking forward to hotel recommendations somewhere on Amalfi. Ravello sounds perfect.
Then I know I will be asking for suggestions Venice and Florence.
But really looking forward to hotel recommendations somewhere on Amalfi. Ravello sounds perfect.
Then I know I will be asking for suggestions Venice and Florence.
Jan 7, 2018, 9:01 am
#98
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Jan 7, 2018, 10:36 am
#99
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Ray and ABG. Thank you for suggestions. I am looking into everything. Ray your photos are awesome. I know people who have stayed at Le Sireneuse and always rave about the experience.
Perche I also hope you can weigh in re the stay (?) which my friend wants, then Ravello or Priano(sp?) etc on the coast then back to venice and Florence. As mentioned we are in IT till 6 May from 11 April. Your suggestions in Rome I followed.
Perche I also hope you can weigh in re the stay (?) which my friend wants, then Ravello or Priano(sp?) etc on the coast then back to venice and Florence. As mentioned we are in IT till 6 May from 11 April. Your suggestions in Rome I followed.
Jan 7, 2018, 11:23 am
#100
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Ray and ABG. Thank you for suggestions. I am looking into everything. Ray your photos are awesome. I know people who have stayed at Le Sireneuse and always rave about the experience.
Perche I also hope you can weigh in re the stay (?) which my friend wants, then Ravello or Priano(sp?) etc on the coast then back to venice and Florence. As mentioned we are in IT till 6 May from 11 April. Your suggestions in Rome I followed. The stay friend wants is 1 or 2 days Naples.
Perche I also hope you can weigh in re the stay (?) which my friend wants, then Ravello or Priano(sp?) etc on the coast then back to venice and Florence. As mentioned we are in IT till 6 May from 11 April. Your suggestions in Rome I followed. The stay friend wants is 1 or 2 days Naples.
Last edited by ray1022; Jan 7, 2018 at 11:23 am Reason: Fix link
Jan 7, 2018, 12:23 pm
#101
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I would love a comparison/contrast of the following properties for those who have been to (visited, if not having stayed at) any of all of these pairs:
POSITANO: La Sirenuse vs Il San Pietro?
RAVELLO: Belmond Caruso vs Palazzo Avino?
IN BETWEEN: Monastero Santa Rosa vs Santa Catarina?
I would love to get a sense of the pros and cons for each property, the highlight(s) of each property versus the rest, the highlight of each location versus the rest, and what single property or combination of 2 properties most would recommend. Thanks for whatever details you can share!
I especially am interested in:
(1) which have excellent air conditioning in rooms/suites in case it's very warm?
(2) which have the best restaurant on premises?
(3) which have the best restaurants nearby?
(4) which have the best views?
(5) which have the best suites?
(6) which have the best sights to visit nearby, if any?
Finally, for how nights overall do you recommend staying on the Amalfi coast?
Thanks!
POSITANO: La Sirenuse vs Il San Pietro?
RAVELLO: Belmond Caruso vs Palazzo Avino?
IN BETWEEN: Monastero Santa Rosa vs Santa Catarina?
I would love to get a sense of the pros and cons for each property, the highlight(s) of each property versus the rest, the highlight of each location versus the rest, and what single property or combination of 2 properties most would recommend. Thanks for whatever details you can share!
I especially am interested in:
(1) which have excellent air conditioning in rooms/suites in case it's very warm?
(2) which have the best restaurant on premises?
(3) which have the best restaurants nearby?
(4) which have the best views?
(5) which have the best suites?
(6) which have the best sights to visit nearby, if any?
Finally, for how nights overall do you recommend staying on the Amalfi coast?
Thanks!
Jan 7, 2018, 6:48 pm
#102
Join Date: Apr 2006
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@bhrubin, you have to start from the beginning of the thread, which is essentially dedicated to all of the properties you are interested in.
As far as how many nights. Who knows? When are you going? I've been going every August and try to do at least two weeks. Many people I've been seeing there for the past 11 years stay for longer, some stay the whole month (that would be ideal for me). That area is all about enjoying the sea, taking a boat and exploring the coast & Capri and pretty much dolce far niente.
Only thing I can advise against is going there for a week and staying at more than one property. Amalfi Coast is small, villages are close, and packing & unpacking is not something that fits the area. Ravello, which is above the coast, is a 15 minute ride to/from the beach so keep that in mind.
As far as how many nights. Who knows? When are you going? I've been going every August and try to do at least two weeks. Many people I've been seeing there for the past 11 years stay for longer, some stay the whole month (that would be ideal for me). That area is all about enjoying the sea, taking a boat and exploring the coast & Capri and pretty much dolce far niente.
Only thing I can advise against is going there for a week and staying at more than one property. Amalfi Coast is small, villages are close, and packing & unpacking is not something that fits the area. Ravello, which is above the coast, is a 15 minute ride to/from the beach so keep that in mind.
Jan 7, 2018, 7:11 pm
#103
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@bhrubin, you have to start from the beginning of the thread, which is essentially dedicated to all of the properties you are interested in.
As far as how many nights. Who knows? When are you going? I've been going every August and try to do at least two weeks. Many people I've been seeing there for the past 11 years stay for longer, some stay the whole month (that would be ideal for me). That area is all about enjoying the sea, taking a boat and exploring the coast & Capri and pretty much dolce far niente.
Only thing I can advise against is going there for a week and staying at more than one property. Amalfi Coast is small, villages are close, and packing & unpacking is not something that fits the area. Ravello, which is above the coast, is a 15 minute ride to/from the beach so keep that in mind.
As far as how many nights. Who knows? When are you going? I've been going every August and try to do at least two weeks. Many people I've been seeing there for the past 11 years stay for longer, some stay the whole month (that would be ideal for me). That area is all about enjoying the sea, taking a boat and exploring the coast & Capri and pretty much dolce far niente.
Only thing I can advise against is going there for a week and staying at more than one property. Amalfi Coast is small, villages are close, and packing & unpacking is not something that fits the area. Ravello, which is above the coast, is a 15 minute ride to/from the beach so keep that in mind.
I was hoping to get more perspectives...but yours certainly seem to hit the mark thus far. @SanDiego1K also shared concern about La Sirenuse feeling a bit dated...but that was back in 2014. So I didn’t know how fresh those earlier perspectives might be nowadays.
No one mentions air conditioning, sadly. Anyone? Please?
Few mention anything in particular as a highlight—you being a notable exception in mentioning sea access only being available at Il San Pietro.
I would avoid summer madness and heat at all costs, actually. We likely would try Amalfi in May or late Sept/early Oct in a future year. So swimming pools (unless heated) won’t be a big factor. Sea access could be important if we want to charter a boat to explore the coast.
Thanks for sharing your recommendation on not splitting time for up to a week. I doubt I could last longer than 3-4 nights before getting anxious, anyway!
Last edited by bhrubin; Jan 7, 2018 at 7:18 pm
Jan 7, 2018, 7:49 pm
#104
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,007
Thanks, @BLV! I actually did review all the posts from the beginning; your posts often were the only ones offering a true comparison and contrast between the pairs I’ve mentioned.
I was hoping to get more perspectives...but yours certainly seem to hit the mark thus far. @SanDiego1K also shared concern about La Sirenuse feeling a bit dated...but that was back in 2014. So I didn’t know how fresh those earlier perspectives might be nowadays.
No one mentions air conditioning, sadly. Anyone? Please?
Few mention anything in particular as a highlight—you being a notable exception in mentioning sea access only being available at Il San Pietro.
I would avoid summer madness and heat at all costs, actually. We likely would try Amalfi in May or late Sept/early Oct in a future year. So swimming pools (unless heated) won’t be a big factor. Sea access could be important if we want to charter a boat to explore the coast.
Thanks for sharing your recommendation on not splitting time for up to a week. I doubt I could last longer than 3-4 nights before getting anxious, anyway!
If you are interested in checking out other properties, simply go there for lunch: Monastero, Avino, Caterina. Out of all of the hotels you've mentioned, Monastero has the worst location, unless you don't plan on leaving the property, which is stunning. It is a must for lunch along with Avino. Caterina could be skipped, imho.
Overall, I'd suggest giving it at least 5-6 nights. That way you can hop on over to various villages, cruise the coast, go to Capri and dedicate at least one night to dinner at Don Alfonso (which is about a 40 minute ride from Positano). I think that number of days lets you comfortably check everything out. Otherwise, 3-4 for Amalfi Coast and around is too rushed. Lunches are long & lazy and why would you want to hurry anywhere?
Jan 8, 2018, 7:05 am
#105
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We stayed at Palazzo Avino two summers ago and were thrilled with our decision. We had considered the Belmond, but for the two of us the Avino seemed like the better fit (and it was). We visited the Belmond, and I am certain we would have been happy there as well...
We loved the private "beach" of the Avino. Every morning we took an early 10 minute shuttle to their private oasis on the sea and spent a few hours sunbathing, swimming, kayaking, and eating the absolute best pizza we found on the coast. We then spent the afternoons and evenings either strolling through Ravello or Amalfi/Positano. The Belmond has a much better on-site pool (possibly the best in Italy), and their transport options to other towns is superior. But they didn't have the waterfront option for us like the Avino, so it didn't fit our desires quite as perfectly.
I honestly don't think you can go wrong.
Btw, on our way to Ravello we actually decided to spend 3 nights in Sorrento at the Excelsior Vittoria. We loved the hotel and spent each day differently. One day we toured Pompeii, the next we rented a private boat for the day and spent it touring the grottos and swimming in the sea, and the final day we water taxied over to Capri. Once we got to Ravello, we were in relax stage (we did spend an afternoon and evening in Amalfi and Positano from our Ravello base). I wouldn't reccomend Sorrento unless it was as an easy base to explore as we did. Access is much easier from Sorrento, as well as the ability to stay in luxury for much less than Positano.
We loved the private "beach" of the Avino. Every morning we took an early 10 minute shuttle to their private oasis on the sea and spent a few hours sunbathing, swimming, kayaking, and eating the absolute best pizza we found on the coast. We then spent the afternoons and evenings either strolling through Ravello or Amalfi/Positano. The Belmond has a much better on-site pool (possibly the best in Italy), and their transport options to other towns is superior. But they didn't have the waterfront option for us like the Avino, so it didn't fit our desires quite as perfectly.
I honestly don't think you can go wrong.
Btw, on our way to Ravello we actually decided to spend 3 nights in Sorrento at the Excelsior Vittoria. We loved the hotel and spent each day differently. One day we toured Pompeii, the next we rented a private boat for the day and spent it touring the grottos and swimming in the sea, and the final day we water taxied over to Capri. Once we got to Ravello, we were in relax stage (we did spend an afternoon and evening in Amalfi and Positano from our Ravello base). I wouldn't reccomend Sorrento unless it was as an easy base to explore as we did. Access is much easier from Sorrento, as well as the ability to stay in luxury for much less than Positano.