1) The Amalfi Coast - The most famous hotel in the Amalfi Coast is arguably Le Sirenuse in Positano, a family summer home turned first class hotel that opened in 1951 and epitomizes the Amalfi Coast. The hotel has a fitness center & spa, indoor & outdoor dining, famous Franco's Bar (pictured above - bottom left), and outdoor pool overlooking the incredible views. For more information and the ability to book, click here.

 

Another classic Positano hotel highlighted in One Italian Summer: A Novel is Poseidon Hotel. The hotel also has outdoor dining, pool, and room terraces overlooking the dramatic cliff sides of Positano available here. For a more moderate priced option, there's Conca D'oro to view here and Hotel Villa Franca for a modern option available here. Further over in Praiano, there are nice, lower price options, such as Open Gate to view here and Grand Hotel Tritone available here.

 

2) Sorrento - The crown jewel in Sorrento is the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. Located right above the Sorrento ferry port, the Grand Hotel is at the forefront of Sorrento with a private elevator to whisk you from sea level to the hotel. The hotel is very regal with ornate decor of a classic, historic Italian hotel with beautiful grounds and stunning bay views. Rooms vary in size and look, most with sea views and balconies. More information and the ability to book is available here.

 

The other very high-end hotel in Sorrento that's more modern is the Bellevue Syrene.  Both have outdoor pools and dining with terraces overlooking the bay, beautiful grounds, spa & fitness center. The Bellevue Syrene is a bit more airy with high ceilings, white rooms, and more modern, artsy decor that still embraces the historic building. More information and the ability to book is available here. There's also the Hotel Mediterraneo for a gorgeous, recently renovated, luxury option about a mile from the center of town with spacious, airy rooms, outdoor pool, direct beach access, yacht, spa, and rooftop bar & restaurant available here. The hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to the town center. 

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3) Capri - Capri has better hotel values that are more recently renovated too.  The high-end luxury options, include: J.K. Place Capri, Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco, La Palma Capri. All of which are lovely, newer, and expensive, but more reasonable in comparison to steep Amalfi Coast and high-end Sorrento hotel prices. More moderately priced options, include the pretty in pink Il Capri with its rooftop pool, restaurant & bar and trendy rooms with balconies available here. La Residenza Capri is another high value option with modern, airy finishes and decor embracing earth tones with sea accents available here. 

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4) Naples - In Naples, there's the Grand Hotel Santa Lucia and Eurostars Hotel Excelsior for two ornate, traditional options on the water. The Grey is a newly renovated, boutique, luxury guest house in a Renaissance Revival building in the city center within a 10 min walk to the port and 20 min walk to the train station. Rooms are simple and elegant with high-ceilings, modern decor and balconies. There's also Maison San Carlo Luxury Suites for 5 artsy rooms that open to the beautiful Galleria Umberto within a short walk to the port, however with no front desk or amenities.