Amalfi Coast Hotels, Italy: which one?
Jan 8, 2018, 7:33 pm
#106
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,007
Just to be clear, Sorrento isn't on Amalfi Coast, despite not being far from it, and is a very different destination, as it's essentially a city, unlike the little villages on the Amalfi Coast.
Basing in Ravello while having only 4 nights on AC would qualify as "going wrong" for me. You're wasting time going up & down and while May isn't nowhere near the craziness of traffic during Jul-Sep, you're still stuck with having to deal with at least 15 minutes each way on little narrow roads that are congested. Also, anything more than one night, two tops, in Ravello is too much. The village, while stunning, is tiiiiiiny and you'll be able to explore it in 2 hours. If this is your first time on AC and you want to explore some of it and have only 4 days to do so you have to plan a bit more carefully.
I just saw that you mentioned Sep/Oct. Both of these months are still pretty busy, with September obviously being more so. If you want to avoid crowds, late April/early May or November would be my choice.
Basing in Ravello while having only 4 nights on AC would qualify as "going wrong" for me. You're wasting time going up & down and while May isn't nowhere near the craziness of traffic during Jul-Sep, you're still stuck with having to deal with at least 15 minutes each way on little narrow roads that are congested. Also, anything more than one night, two tops, in Ravello is too much. The village, while stunning, is tiiiiiiny and you'll be able to explore it in 2 hours. If this is your first time on AC and you want to explore some of it and have only 4 days to do so you have to plan a bit more carefully.
I just saw that you mentioned Sep/Oct. Both of these months are still pretty busy, with September obviously being more so. If you want to avoid crowds, late April/early May or November would be my choice.
Jan 8, 2018, 8:28 pm
#107
Join Date: Dec 2006
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We were on the coast late October , 2 rather blazing hot days - driving , or rather chauffeured , from Naples
Stay at ISP , we only lunched there . Only ones having a meal !
Cool enough with gorgeous views .
Pop by Excelsior Vittoria .
We were advised by The Daddy ; stroll right in & take the elevator / down to the terrace .
Amazing angles for photography / views .
Spectacular coastline , with quite a few heart stopping moments
Cool enough with gorgeous views .
Pop by Excelsior Vittoria .
We were advised by The Daddy ; stroll right in & take the elevator / down to the terrace .
Amazing angles for photography / views .
Spectacular coastline , with quite a few heart stopping moments
Last edited by FlyerEC; Jan 8, 2018 at 8:38 pm
Jan 9, 2018, 6:47 am
#108
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
Just to be clear, Sorrento isn't on Amalfi Coast, despite not being far from it, and is a very different destination, as it's essentially a city, unlike the little villages on the Amalfi Coast.
Basing in Ravello while having only 4 nights on AC would qualify as "going wrong" for me. You're wasting time going up & down and while May isn't nowhere near the craziness of traffic during Jul-Sep, you're still stuck with having to deal with at least 15 minutes each way on little narrow roads that are congested. Also, anything more than one night, two tops, in Ravello is too much. The village, while stunning, is tiiiiiiny and you'll be able to explore it in 2 hours. If this is your first time on AC and you want to explore some of it and have only 4 days to do so you have to plan a bit more carefully.
I just saw that you mentioned Sep/Oct. Both of these months are still pretty busy, with September obviously being more so. If you want to avoid crowds, late April/early May or November would be my choice.
Basing in Ravello while having only 4 nights on AC would qualify as "going wrong" for me. You're wasting time going up & down and while May isn't nowhere near the craziness of traffic during Jul-Sep, you're still stuck with having to deal with at least 15 minutes each way on little narrow roads that are congested. Also, anything more than one night, two tops, in Ravello is too much. The village, while stunning, is tiiiiiiny and you'll be able to explore it in 2 hours. If this is your first time on AC and you want to explore some of it and have only 4 days to do so you have to plan a bit more carefully.
I just saw that you mentioned Sep/Oct. Both of these months are still pretty busy, with September obviously being more so. If you want to avoid crowds, late April/early May or November would be my choice.
With Ravello, agree it's not an exploring town. You can't spend hours walking the streets like a Positano, and Amalfi proper is probably more interesting. But there's a certain romance to the place, there are wonderful restaurants, and many people are happy spending their evenings there.
You know far better than I about this destination, so I cede to your recommendaitons. We did 3 and 5 in Sorrento and Ravello and felt we had the best combination of sightseeing, shopping, relaxation, and dining...with a little bit of emphasis on the relaxation. To us, if you go to Ravello it's really to slow down a bit. Those "on the go" might find it a bit of a hassle or out of the way. That said....there is NO better vista in the world IMO.
Aug 25, 2018, 5:28 pm
#109
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 109
My wife and I just returned from Ravello where we stayed at both Palazzo Avino and Hotel Caruso. Both were fabulous. PA is smaller and for our experience more cozy and personal. HC perhaps a bit grander and included is a wonderful complimentary coastal boat ride and swim from the boat anchored off Positano. You would not regret either property. Views from both are spectacular. We hired car to get back and forth from Naples and I was very pleased not to be behind wheel driving the narrow roads but one could drive virtually to front door of these hotels and hand keys to doorman. Virtually no cars in Ravello affords easy walking along the storefronts and cafes of the cobblestone streets. My wife says this her new favorite location and planning our return.
Aug 25, 2018, 9:54 pm
#110
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MEL
Programs: QFF, AA, LM, EY
Posts: 762
My wife and I just returned from Ravello where we stayed at both Palazzo Avino and Hotel Caruso. Both were fabulous. PA is smaller and for our experience more cozy and personal. HC perhaps a bit grander and included is a wonderful complimentary coastal boat ride and swim from the boat anchored off Positano. You would not regret either property. Views from both are spectacular. We hired car to get back and forth from Naples and I was very pleased not to be behind wheel driving the narrow roads but one could drive virtually to front door of these hotels and hand keys to doorman. Virtually no cars in Ravello affords easy walking along the storefronts and cafes of the cobblestone streets. My wife says this her new favorite location and planning our return.
How many nights did you spend in each hotel ?
Ravello not a large town is it ? 2-3 nights there in either of these hotels would probably be enough ?
I am planning a trip to the Amalfi coast just wondering how long to dedicate each to Ravello and Positano.
Any suggestions/recommendations for other towns in the vicinity ?
Aug 26, 2018, 5:44 am
#111
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 109
We were 2 nights in Hotel Caruso and one night in Palazzo Avino. I initially booked the 2 nights at HC but later decided to add a third Ravello night and chose PA mostly due to less expensive night. We loved PA. The two hotels are literally right next to each other and one minute walk from one to the other. We enjoyed the beauty and relaxation of Ravello but three nights may be enough unless you stay there as a base to explore the region on day trips.
We did not stay in Positano but the posts in this thread show wonderful hotels and views as well.
We did not stay in Positano but the posts in this thread show wonderful hotels and views as well.
Last edited by arkyrab; Aug 26, 2018 at 5:50 am Reason: Wished to add information.
Aug 27, 2018, 2:20 am
#112
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,007
How many nights did you spend in each hotel ?
Ravello not a large town is it ? 2-3 nights there in either of these hotels would probably be enough ?
I am planning a trip to the Amalfi coast just wondering how long to dedicate each to Ravello and Positano.
Any suggestions/recommendations for other towns in the vicinity ?
Ravello not a large town is it ? 2-3 nights there in either of these hotels would probably be enough ?
I am planning a trip to the Amalfi coast just wondering how long to dedicate each to Ravello and Positano.
Any suggestions/recommendations for other towns in the vicinity ?
If none of the above matters and/or you’re going in off season or moving onto a property with proper sea access (like I did), then 3 nights is an absolute max you should do in Ravello. I’d even say 2 nights is more than enough.
Palazzo Avino itself is gorgeous and I’ve got zero complaints with rooms/service.
Suggestions on other villages in the area will depend on how much time you’ve dedicated to this part of Italy.
Last edited by BLV; Aug 27, 2018 at 2:34 am
Aug 27, 2018, 2:42 am
#113
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,048
Slightly OT, but what is the weather like in the area in mid-to-late May? Is it guaranteed to be sunny and warm enough to lay out, or is it mixed with chances of rain and daytime highs below 22-23? Said another way, if I want to go somewhere warm and sunny in the second half of May, am I a better off going to Amalfi or Santorini?
Aug 27, 2018, 2:54 am
#114
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,007
I stayed in Positano end of this May. It was cooler than right now (although this has been the weirdest August I’ve experienced here in the past 12 years. Rain, storms. This second I’m on the beach and the red flag is out for second day in a row, though still hot & sunny. I don’t ever recall missing a sea day at the same time in previous years) but still beach weather. Water was cooler and once diving in it’d take a few seconds to get used to it after which it was enjoyable. Usually end of May beaching is in full swing but do keep in mind unpredictability of weather. It can be rainy & stormy one minute and completely calm & dry the next.
Update: case in point. Shortly after I finished writing this, the sea has began calming down.
Update: case in point. Shortly after I finished writing this, the sea has began calming down.
Last edited by BLV; Aug 27, 2018 at 3:01 am
Aug 27, 2018, 3:59 am
#115
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: London
Programs: Avios
Posts: 166
I visited Amalfi in late May and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Having said that, I like temperatures of around 25 degrees and if, like my husband you like 40 degrees, you may find it too cold. It was a little cloudy one day but we didn't experience any rain.
I've also been to Santorini in early June and I loved the weather at that time too.
I've also been to Santorini in early June and I loved the weather at that time too.
Sep 2, 2018, 11:54 pm
#116
Was sydakllon
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: Virtuoso, Rosewood Elite, FSPP, Bellini, Dorchester, MO Fan Club, Oetker Pearl, etc.
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I stayed in Positano end of this May. It was cooler than right now (although this has been the weirdest August I’ve experienced here in the past 12 years. Rain, storms. This second I’m on the beach and the red flag is out for second day in a row, though still hot & sunny. I don’t ever recall missing a sea day at the same time in previous years) but still beach weather. Water was cooler and once diving in it’d take a few seconds to get used to it after which it was enjoyable. Usually end of May beaching is in full swing but do keep in mind unpredictability of weather. It can be rainy & stormy one minute and completely calm & dry the next.
Update: case in point. Shortly after I finished writing this, the sea has began calming down.
Update: case in point. Shortly after I finished writing this, the sea has began calming down.
Sep 3, 2018, 12:00 am
#117
Was sydakllon
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: Virtuoso, Rosewood Elite, FSPP, Bellini, Dorchester, MO Fan Club, Oetker Pearl, etc.
Posts: 709
Looking to next summer, where would people recommend on Capri for a 7 night stay (very early July)? I looked at Capri Palace but talked myself out of staying in Anacapri for 7 nights. A friend is swearing by Tiberio.
Sep 3, 2018, 12:16 am
#118
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
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Or Caesar Augustus.
Sep 3, 2018, 5:59 am
#119
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,007
Sep 3, 2018, 11:23 am
#120
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Canada
Programs: Virtuoso TA, Four Seasons Pref Partner, Rosewood Elite TA, Ritz Carlton STARS TA
Posts: 4,737
JK and Punta tragara come to mind but the suggestion of Tiberio palace is excellent