Why would one choose Sorrento among other towns and villages on the Amalfi Coast like Ravello, Positano and Amalfi town? Yes there are delicious lemmons and plunging cliffs but the truth is you have more shops, restaurants, bars, tailors, etc. than in other places. So if you like to shop and go out in the evening Sorrento is a good choice.

As always in life there is a backside and that is the hustle and bustle in Sorrento´s narrow lanes in high season. Sorrento´s best hotel, the 190 year old, elegant Excelsior Vittoria, located right in the center, offers the magic gate to a quiet oasis, a huge garden, a splendid pool, a phantastic view to the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, a great cocktail terrace and luxury of all kind. The hotel consists of three buildings: Vittoria (reception, restaurant, terrace), La Favorita (a chalet like structure) and the big La Rivale. The buildings are connected. Rooms start from 25 sqm. There are 79 of them, 60 percent of them suites, so this is not for the masses. The rooms start from 25 sqm and we would strongly recommend sea view though garden view is not bad at all either.

The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, it is still family owned after 190 years, and the service is impeccable. All in all it gives guests the feeling to be privileged. Of course, it is expensive, yes, but all luxury hotels on the Amalfi Coast in high season are. There are three bars on-site: Bar Vittoria at the Terrazza, perfect for a sunset cocktail, the pool bar at L’Orangerie and the recently opened champagne bar, La Pergola, which can be found near the hotel’s entrance and which is also open to non guests. Three restaurants: the one Michelin star Terrazza Bosquet, L’Orangerie in the garden near the pool is ideal for pizzas, pastas and Aperol Spritzes, while Terrazza Vittoria is particularly beautiful in the evenings when there is also live piano music. Outdoor pool with hydrotherapy jets and a solarium; children’s pool. Excellent spa La Sperra in the garden.

The concierge team is very helpful and will also suggest and arrange excursions, eg. to the Blue Grotto in Capri, to Pompeji, or just a good tailor. Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is located a one hour and twenty minute drive from Naples International Airport. Hotel pick up service (surcharge).  If you want to arrive like the aristocrats in the 19th century you can do so: the hotel offers boat transfers for travelers coming from Naples.