Villa di Sorrento, Sorrento

Advantages: Pool, friendly staff, value for money
Disadvantages: Rooms a little out-dated

...We visited Italy for our family holiday (parents and two grown-up kids) and stayed at the Villa Maria in Sorrento for a long weekend on a friend's recommendation. It has 80 rooms and offers B&B and half board accomodation (we opted for the former as there are so many lovely restaurants in Sorrento to investigate in the evening). Location: Its on the outskirts of central Sorrento, which means it is a short 5-10 minute walk to restaurants and the train station. Sorrento is itself in easy reach of sites such as Pompeii and Capri and Ischia although there is no beach at Sorrento itself (there are wooden pontoons which you can hire a sunbed on and swim off). Ambience: We found the staff to be friendly and the rooms adequate and clean, though they could do with updating the decor. The pool area is nice to spend some time in the sun... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Very friendly and great food!
Disadvantages: I don't go often enough!

...just once from Sorrento, my advice is to go one way by road, and the other by boat, that way you get two different views of the coast line, and good views of the Island of Capri also. BEACHES Don't go to Sorrento for beaches, go somewhere else. Italy is a great country but generally, I personally don't like how they do beaches. There are some bathing platforms at the bottom of the cliffs in Sorrento, but the uniform lines of sun loungers is typical of what Italians do in many places. The platforms are privately owned, so you'll have to pay to use them. If you want a nice beach not too far from Sorrento, seek out Marina Di Puolo. Get on an orange bus to Capo Di Sorrento which is up the hill past the Hotels Capo Di Monte and Hotel Bristol away from Naples. The bus stops at Capo Di Sorrento and turns around, so get off and walk a bit further... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: fantastic scenery and good food
Disadvantages: not enough time to see everything

...Sorrento has it all, the hospitality of Italy combined with a relaxed atmosphere. It is located on the Amalfi coast which is home to some of the most scenic views in all of Italy. Sorrento is very clean and has a small city that offers great seafood and all Italy's specialty cuisines. I would definatly reccomend it to everyone who wants to make the trip to Southern Italy, its worth it. Sorrento is an excellent alternative to staying in Napoli - it isn't plagued by the same poverty and graffiti. The town is beautiful and offers convenient ferries to Capri, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Sorrento is linked to Naples by an inter-city train system that is farily convienient. Early spring is especially perfect here because of all the orange and lemon groves in various backyards and gardens. Stayed at the "Sorrento Holiday House... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful