Hotel Weber Ambassador, Capri

...excited.

The Hotel Weber Ambassador were really helpful from start to finish. We booked direct through their website which saved money on the Expedia listed price, though I think it would depend whether you were going high season or not.

Originally we were a little apprehensive having read the mixed reviews on trip advisor, but being of the disposition that a holiday is what you make it we packed ourselves off and flew ...
...arriving late and dark the hotel had given us clear instructions about how to ring them (toll-free) when we arrived, and they collected us for the Marina Grande in the courtesy car.

Although this is meant to be a review of the hotel and not Capri, it's useful to explain about the transport arrangements here. There are very few cars on Capri, some stretch taxis, many funny looking orange buses and many of these things that look like ... more

We had hoped to go to Sardinia, but that was out of our price range. Italy has always been a favourite so when we found we could afford go to Capri we were really excited.

The Hotel Weber Ambassador were really helpful from start to finish. We booked direct through their website which saved money on the Expedia listed price, though I think it would depend whether you were going high season or not.

Originally we were a little apprehensive having read the mixed reviews on trip advisor, but being of the disposition that a holiday is what you make it we packed ourselves off and flew into Naples.

An Italian bus ride across town to the port and battle through the ticket touts for a boat ticket and we were on our way.

Despite arriving late and dark the hotel had given us clear instructions about how to ring them (toll-free) when we arrived, and they collected us for the Marina Grande in the courtesy car.

Although this is meant to be a review of the hotel and not Capri, it's useful to explain about the transport arrangements here. There are very few cars on Capri, some stretch taxis, many funny looking orange buses and many of these things that look like customised golf carts. The speed limit is 30mph due to the winding roads and it's steep. If you have mobility issues you may struggle with the walking, but there are buses and taxis.

Fewer cars, however, means peace and quiet and clean air.

But I digress, we were shown our room, a spacious double room ensuite with a balcony. We looked out and could see absolutley nothing (it was pitch black, we arrived at night remember). We then took the hotel's shuttle bus, about 5 minutes ride leaving frequently to and from the town centre, and grabbed a bite to eat.

The hotel has a restaurant which is associated with it, but this is in the centre, if you ask at the reception they will give you a token entitling you to a discount in their restaurant. We had some very nice meals there and is good value.

When we woke up the next day the view from the window literally took our breath away. A strip of sea as far as the eye could see, punctuated by the faraglioni island rocks on the left and Anacapri to the right. It was like being on a boat because of the location you were high enough up to see beyond the land into the horizon. There wasn't a cloud in the sky.

Breakfast was a continental buffet with all tastes catered for, you could even have full English if you wanted it. Cereals, fruits, yogurts, salads, meat platters and small confection like mini Danish pastries.

The hotel has its own outdoor pool but down two flights of steps are three beaches. Two paid for and one free (the hotel pays an annual subscription for the residents to use it without cost.) The hotel give out clean beach towels everyday to persuade you from ruining the ones in the room.

The crystal clear waters proved such a novelty to us that we bought a disposable waterproof camera to phtograph the fishes. Much to the amusement of some Americans who declared "Why do you bother, it's not Mexico you know!"

The hotel has a large lounge and of an evening you can enjoy an aperitif from the bar while Maurice tinkles the grand piano, leaving you to wonder what work of engineering it must have been to get it up to the hotel in the first place.

It's not like the other hotels on the island, as it's near the marina piccolo, the others are up in the centre. The benefit of this makes it peaceful and allows you to believe you're the only people there if you want. The main international chains are all very close to each other and right in the hustle and bustle of Capri central.

The hotel also offered to arrange boat hire for excursions, but as there were only two of us they recommended we just go to the Marina Grande a buy a ticket there.

In terms of surprises there weren't many;
there was a surcharge for the marina shuttle of about 10Eur, which isn't obviously clear when you book, but a taxi would cost more than that anyway;

We were disappointed to see that a lot of previous visitors had made a fuss on websites that they felt they'd been promised things which hadn't materialised, which I feel is unfair.

The hotel is clean and bright, with marble everywhere. The staff are friendly and helpful, the owner chatty and amiable. I get the impression that the non-sea view rooms have very little view at all, so I would reccomend stumping up the extra, it's worth it though, the fairytale view makes you believe you're in paradise.

English is spoken throughout, but in varying degrees. If they can't help they will get another member of staff to assist you.

So to summarise :
helpful staff,
travel issues (the steep hills) are addressed by the shuttle bus
quiet location
pretty views across the bay
good value for money

PS
To pick up on the comment, day trips to Capri would be very diffirent from staying as it would be difficult to avoid the other tourists and justify long walks up into the hills.  

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