Planning on jetting off to Italy for a break? Lucky you! The country’s renowned for its cuisine, great weather and rich culture – and a great place to soak up all three is Sorrento, which is on the south coast. This is also a particularly good spot if you’re organising a luxury holiday.
This is because the town is brimming with high-class hotels, so it’s really easy to find somewhere perfect for indulging in a little pampering. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to go for places that combine a central location with a view of that stunning coastline; after all, Sorrento’s pretty famous for its views over the Bay of Naples, so you may as well make the most of them.
4-star hotels
So, here are two of the top options for four-star hotels. The first is the Imperial Hotel Tramontano (Image above), which is around five minutes’ walk from Piazzo Tasso (the main square in Sorrento). Like most of our top picks, it offers great views over the Bay of Naples – and Mount Vesuvius too – so if you’re into your scenery, this certainly won’t disappoint.
Plus, it’s only ten minutes’ stroll from here to the Marina Grande harbour, which is an excellent spot for tracking down the best local seafood restaurants. You’ll find a good restaurant at the hotel itself too, as well as a bar and swimming pool – and, if you’re lucky, you might get a room with a sea view.
This hotel also has an interesting claim to fame: Torquato Tasso (who’s a famous Italian poet, in case you’re not up on your foreign literature) was born in its west wing. Another useful thing to note is this hotel is hidden away from the main streets, so it’s a good option if you like a little peace and quiet.
Also boasting four stars, the Grand Ambasciatori (Image above) is worth a look. Like the Imperial Hotel Tramontano, this one has excellent views over the Bay of Naples and is also really close to the main square (around 700 m away). This is a nice place to choose if you’re after a little local flavour, because it’s owned by local family the Marriellos, who’ve given it a classic Italian feel. Plus, the cuisine here feels similarly authentic – and there are some tasty international dining options too.
Another attractive little quirk of this hotel is that it has a private bathing jetty that you can access directly from a lift indoors. It’s worth bearing in mind this isn’t open all year round though, so if it particularly takes your fancy, make sure you travel between mid-May and mid-October.
5-star options
If you’ve got your heart set on five-star luxury, there’s no better choice than the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria (Image below – brochure PDF). Again, this establishment has a great central location – but, in addition to its convenience, you’ll find the classic charm of a grand hotel.
So, if you’re looking for a little bit of sophistication during your holiday, this is probably your best bet. The rooms are all beautifully furnished, and all the public areas are decked out with nice finishing touches, like fine paintings.
Plus, it’s got a great spa and some wonderful restaurants. In fact, the food is so good that even the locals choose to eat here – so, if you’re a bit of a foodie, you should find that this hotel is your cup of tea. The Bosquet Terrace serves dishes from the Campania region, while the Bosquet Restaurant is fantastic for Mediterranean food – and its coastal views are an added bonus.
About the author: Joe is a travel blogger who’s stayed in some of the best hotels in the world, but believes that Italian hotels boast the best food and hospitality. He’s looking forward to staying somewhere plush when he goes on his Rome holidays!