Le Sirenuse, Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy
#16
Was sydakllon
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: Virtuoso, Rosewood Elite, FSPP, Bellini, Dorchester, MO Fan Club, Oetker Pearl, etc.
Posts: 709
not much there and it is SO overrun with tour groups and instagram wannabes now, its miserable. Its OK to see once, but having been dragged there several times now, I could happily never return. Its exponentially worse re overcrowding each subsequent visit. Also agree that Siraneuse isnt worth it. Fantastically expensive, mediocre hotel.
#17
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold
Posts: 173
not much there and it is SO overrun with tour groups and instagram wannabes now, its miserable. Its OK to see once, but having been dragged there several times now, I could happily never return. Its exponentially worse re overcrowding each subsequent visit. Also agree that Siraneuse isnt worth it. Fantastically expensive, mediocre hotel.
Naturally, towns and villages becoming victims of their own success is nothing new but it is the number of places that suffer from this nowadays as is the speed that it takes some times to completely ruin a location.
Also agree completely with your assessment in relation to how expensive it is but isn't that the case with most Grand Dame seaside hotels in Italy (e.g. Il Pelicano in Porto Ercole, Splendido in Portofino etc)?
#18
Was sydakllon
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: Virtuoso, Rosewood Elite, FSPP, Bellini, Dorchester, MO Fan Club, Oetker Pearl, etc.
Posts: 709
I feel like at least Il Pellicano is almost private and feels very exclusive (or at least did when we were there last year). Sirenuse can be a zoo.
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
In terms of crowds however, the problem is that you are very accurately describing pretty much any major seaside and photogenic destination. From Santorini to Positano to Tulum (and with a myriad of places in between) tourist destinations that were already exceptionally busy with groups and tourists have now become even more so to the point that it detracts from the experience so much so that it defeats the purpose of going there for a relaxing seaside/beach holiday altogether.
It's cool to see it the first time, the tiered appearance of the town is striking, but once you've become used to that, there's not much more. I never felt "bored" in that way in Tulum, because we could always tan, go for a walk along the beach or go for a swim, since the beach there (when the seaweed problem isn't crushing) is actually nice. Positano is like a beach destination without a nice beach. My 2 cents anyway.
#20
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,687
In terms of crowds however, the problem is that you are very accurately describing pretty much any major seaside and photogenic destination. From Santorini to Positano to Tulum (and with a myriad of places in between) tourist destinations that were already exceptionally busy with groups and tourists have now become even more so to the point that it detracts from the experience so much so that it defeats the purpose of going there
Ive always had great success in going to places which dont fit my nationality/ age/ income level. Similarly, places which in-country tourists visit are often at least as pleasant as those on the international jet set list which nowadays can literally create a 5-10x markup on exactly the same views, experiences, food, etc. Your fellow tourists are also often a bit less annoying. The island of Ventotene for example, is stunning - no luxury hotels though, unfortunately.
Anyways, I fear were slightly drifting off topic. We have established that these hotels are not for everyone (including me).
#22
+1, but not going anytime soon
Last edited by livefromtuscany; Jul 21, 2019 at 4:52 am
#25
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold
Posts: 173
Whoa! Didnt mean to stir up controversy! The point which I was trying to make was that historic European beach destinations (ie places that have been a tourist destination for decades) are getting more crowded, inexcusably expensive and with service standards dropping.
I agree with all the points above but from my completely subjective experience, I cant divorce Positano from some pretty great holidays in the Amalfi coast - I see it as belonging to a wider holiday. Would I stay again in Sirenuse or ISP? Probably not. Would I make a trip to just stay in Positano? Probably not. In fact, in terms of hotels, I dont think I would stay again in any of the coastal grande dames in Italy if I could help it. But I wouldnt advise anyone against staying there if they hadnt before.
I agree with all the points above but from my completely subjective experience, I cant divorce Positano from some pretty great holidays in the Amalfi coast - I see it as belonging to a wider holiday. Would I stay again in Sirenuse or ISP? Probably not. Would I make a trip to just stay in Positano? Probably not. In fact, in terms of hotels, I dont think I would stay again in any of the coastal grande dames in Italy if I could help it. But I wouldnt advise anyone against staying there if they hadnt before.
#26
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,642
Quite possibly. Santorini is often cited as one of the most over-touristed places in Europe. The principal reason is the totally unregulated visits by cruise ships. I have chosen one single date in August - the 13th, which would have been Alfred Hitchcock's 120th birthday. On this day next month Santorini will have five cruise ships in port - the Costa Luminosa, Pullmantur Horizon, MSC Sinfonia, Norwegian Jade and Seabourn Odyssey. The total passenger capacity of these ships is approximately 9350. The log-jams at the foot and at the top of the cliff are legendary, as is the appalling suffering of the donkeys. This happens every day, from 8am to 8pm, from early April to late October. Even if you are in the seclusion of a hotel perched on the cliff with luxury measured by the square centimetre, I wouldn't enjoy the experience at all.
There are moves afoot to limit cruise passengers in Santorini to 5000 per day - similar schemes are being considered in Dubrovnik, Venice, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and elsewhere. I doubt if things will improve. It's in our human nature to destroy everything that is beautiful and precious.
There are moves afoot to limit cruise passengers in Santorini to 5000 per day - similar schemes are being considered in Dubrovnik, Venice, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and elsewhere. I doubt if things will improve. It's in our human nature to destroy everything that is beautiful and precious.
Last edited by Pausanias; Jul 22, 2019 at 12:36 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
Our ferry in early June stopped at Santorini (we avoided it on purpose as we ultimately decide we have no desire to fight the hordes of daytrip Instagrammers ticking off their bucket lists). Just what we saw from the harbour - cruise ship upon cruise ship, buses lining the road up the mountain for kilometres - confirmed my worst fears. I was truly thankful that we resisted the pressure of: "But you have to go to Santorini!"
A similar thing in Mykonos where we overnighted before our flight out. Two ships in harbour including one truly gigantic monstrosity which actually ruined the view from town! So many people it was actually difficult to walk in the narrow streets. Until they all went back on board for their dinner...
A similar thing in Mykonos where we overnighted before our flight out. Two ships in harbour including one truly gigantic monstrosity which actually ruined the view from town! So many people it was actually difficult to walk in the narrow streets. Until they all went back on board for their dinner...
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
Quite possibly. Santorini is often cited as one of the most over-touristed places in Europe. The principal reason is the totally unregulated visits by cruise ships. I have chosen one single date in August - the 13th, which would have been Alfred Hitchcock's 120th birthday. On this day next month Santorini will have five cruise ships in port - the Costa Luminosa, Pullmantur Horizon, MSC Sinfonia, Norwegian Jade and Seabourn Odyssey. The total passenger capacity of these ships is approximately 9350. The log-jams at the foot and at the top of the cliff are legendary, as is the appalling suffering of the donkeys. This happens every day, from 8am to 8pm, from early April to late October. Even if you are in the seclusion of a hotel perched on the cliff with luxury measured by the square centimetre, I wouldn't enjoy the experience at all.
There are moves afoot to limit cruise passengers in Santorini to 5000 per day - similar schemes are being considered in Dubrovnik, Venice, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and elsewhere. I doubt if things will improve. It's in our human nature to destroy everything that is beautiful and precious.
There are moves afoot to limit cruise passengers in Santorini to 5000 per day - similar schemes are being considered in Dubrovnik, Venice, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and elsewhere. I doubt if things will improve. It's in our human nature to destroy everything that is beautiful and precious.
A similar thing in Mykonos where we overnighted before our flight out. Two ships in harbour including one truly gigantic monstrosity which actually ruined the view from town! So many people it was actually difficult to walk in the narrow streets. Until they all went back on board for their dinner...
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Almost all of these "over-touristed" spots aren't nearly as touristy when you visit them out of season. These places are beautiful but are far more enjoyable without tourist hordes. Doesn't mean you can't visit outside the normal tourist season and enjoy them thoroughly, however.
#30
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,407
Almost all of these "over-touristed" spots aren't nearly as touristy when you visit them out of season. These places are beautiful but are far more enjoyable without tourist hordes. Doesn't mean you can't visit outside the normal tourist season and enjoy them thoroughly, however.