10 of the best hotels in Sorrento

The best hotels to stay in Sorrento, from noble palazzos and colourful homes to secluded countryside retreats

If Positano and Capri have made their way into the wishlists of travellers around the world, there is a unique place on the Amalfi Coast that has inspired and captured Italian and foreign artists alike – from Lord Byron to John Keats – thanks to its stunning beauty and poetic charm. Sorrento. Sorrento shares the same beauty found everywhere on this coast, with the added bonus of being a bigger, busier town, just as lovely to visit in winter as in the summer months. Depending on what you are looking for, winter in Sorrento can be magical, especially during the Christmas period, and the mild weather and sea breeze are perfect to get rid of winter blues. Being such a populous town means Sorrento is also much easier to reach than other places on the Amalfi Coast. If you are travelling light and want to avoid the winding roads and possible traffic, the Circumvesuviana is a local train that goes from Napoli Garibaldi station and arrives in the historic centre of town, but there is also the option to get there via sea, on a boat that takes around forty minutes and allows you to enjoy the views. Here, an Italian local and frequent Sorrento visitor selects her favourite places to stay and in this beautiful town, from five-star resorts to eclectic boutique hotels. These are the best hotels in Sorrento.La Cocumella

If you are looking for old-school charm, there is no place like the historic hotel La Cocumella. As the oldest hotel on the Sorrento Peninsula, the building that now hosts the five-star resort used to be a religious outpost where the Jesuits were based in the 1600s, before becoming a guest house and then a hotel a century later. Only in the 1970s was the building restored, taking the shape of the marvellous haven we can enjoy today. The rooms are simply and traditionally furnished, with marble bathrooms in the suites and a laidback approach to luxury. The family suites feature two rooms, boast beautiful vaulted and painted ceilings and a quaint living room. But if you really want to immerse yourself in the soul of this place, you should choose one of the two historical suites where Mary Shelley, Hans Christian Andersen and Goethe stayed while visiting the Peninsula. Both are beautiful, but one features frescoed ceilings and antique furniture, while the second has a more modern, minimalist design, so it’s important to specify which you would like to stay in when booking. Outside the rooms, the lush gardens are the perfect place to relax as you walk through thousands of trees and plants, vines, and citrus groves, enjoying the sea breeze. And if you are feeling adventurous, the hotel also owns a rare vintage 12-person sailboat, the Vera 1880, and offers private cruises along the Amalfi Coast and Capri.

Excelsior Vittoria

For a traditionally luxurious experience, the Excelsior Vittoria is a pillar of hospitality on the Amalfi Coast. The hotel opened in 1834 and is still family-run to this day, and the familiar warmth is felt in the care the staff put into welcoming guests to their little slice of paradise. The hotel is centrally located in the old town and sits on a cliff, boasting impressive views of the Gulf of Naples. Although the hotel is close to the hustle and bustle of the town, the peace and quiet won’t be disturbed by its central location, as the establishment is surrounded by 20,000 square metres of lush gardens that protect it from town noise, especially in high season. The three 19th-century villas stand on the site of a residence said to have belonged to Emperor Augustus and have hosted many famous guests over the hotel's 190 years of operation. A recent renovation project has made the hotel more refined than ever, while preserving the opulence and Italian glamour it’s loved for. Even if you are not staying here during your visit to Sorrento, stopping by Terrazza Vittoria for a drink is a must. The terrace offers some of the best views of the Gulf of Naples, along with a lovely Negroni tasting featuring the bar’s three interpretations of the classic cocktail.

Marina Piccola 73

This 19th-century building has been in the same family since its construction in the 1800s, when it served as the local boat club HQ, and was later restored and turned into a hospitality project run by a mother-daughter duo. It’s a five-bedroom affair that feels so special you'll forget the lack of traditional hotel amenities. In the rooms, bold colours, antique finds, and thoughtful design choices make each stand out in its own way. The suite is the largest and most comfortable room, but it’s the Deluxe with Terrace option that is the most unique and a favourite among returning guests, as it boasts a private terrace overlooking the harbour and Mount Vesuvius, a bed set under arches, and a bathroom dug directly from the volcanic rock. If you are planning a longer stay or simply prefer more space, the B&B also offers two apartments located only minutes away, following the same design and hospitality principles as the five rooms. The one-bedroom flat, Casa Rossa, is perfect for a romantic getaway, while the larger two-bedroom Casa Nostra can host up to four people. One thing to note, though, is that the apartments are fully self-catering, and breakfast is not offered.

Hotel Bellevue Syrene

A honeymoon couple’s utter fantasy, this Loire Valley castle hotel was built by a braggadocio baron, best friend to King Louis XV, who made merry amid the Age of Enlightenment’s razzmatazz, opulence, and intellectualism. An absolutely over-the-top castle stay that serves as the centerpiece of a characteristic village, Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé lords over 80 Versailles-esque acres, punctuated by gardens, statuary, ponds, and a seductive round swimming pool. Suites and common rooms summon the 18th century’s profusion of grandeur, each an ode to princely times and pampered living. Chic staff pack picnics to be nibbled on the grounds, organize tours and wine tastings around the Loire, and ensure dinner reservations at the hotel’s outstanding Le Lucé restaurant. No room disappoints here, but the super spacious Baron’s Suite has been touted as France’s most sought-after stay.

Maison Lauren

With only five rooms available, Maison Lauren is an eccentric and colourful home away from home nestled in the heart of Sorrento. Here, you won’t feel like you are sleeping in a hotel, especially when staying in the Lauren Suite, a 72-square-metre abode, featuring two bedrooms and two bathrooms as well as a fully equipped kitchen – perfect for families with children and longer stays. In addition to ample space, the apartment also offers sweeping views of Mount Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples. It’s a B&B and it doesn’t feel like a traditional hotel, but you can still expect a simple but delicious breakfast, to be enjoyed in the communal breakfast area or on the little terrace, with a fabulous view of the sea. The other rooms, all named after the predominant colour chosen for their individual decor, are smaller but equally comfortable and similar in style and size. All the spaces are decorated with ceramics from Vietri, one of the region’s most famous ceramics hubs, and the doors have been hand-painted by the popular local artist Rosalinda Acampora. The main difference between the four rooms is the view. The blue room, for example, offers a similar view to the suite, and the red room overlooks both Sorrento and the Gulf of Naples, while the yellow room’s terrace has a view over the buzzing town.

Ara Maris

Ara Maris offers everything you might need for a holiday of pure relaxation. Located in the centre of town, minutes away from the main station and close to the beach, the hotel offers both the convenience of a central hotel and the relaxing atmosphere of a secluded resort. The 49-room hotel doesn’t have a private beach, but it has a partnership with two of the most popular beach clubs in town, Maya Beach Club in Punta Campanella and Leonelli Beach in the iconic Marina Piccola. The hotel also boasts a large outdoor pool, surrounded by lush gardens and open from March to October, as well as a spa with an indoor pool, a sauna, a Turkish bath, and pampering treatments. One of the hotel’s pillars is sustainability, and their efforts are visible, from the solar panels on the rear façade of the building to their predilection for locally sourced ingredients at their restaurants. If it’s true that the food is always fresh and delicious, another reason for wining and dining at the hotel is the incredible views it offers over the Gulf of Sorrento – book a table at Lumi Sky Bar at sunset to set the tone for the evening.

Palazzo Marziale

Palazzo Marziale is an elegant 15th-century palazzo in the historic centre of Sorrento, located only steps away from one of the town’s most visited attractions, the 14th-century Cloister of San Francesco. The aristocratic pink-hued palazzo, owned by the same family for centuries, also hides much older architecture in its foundations, including a wine cellar carved into Roman ruins, which is not to be missed. The boutique hotel has 13 rooms, whose size and ambience vary considerably. The classic rooms are comfortable and tastefully furnished, and the suites are spacious and more glamorously ornate. Some of the rooms have balconies and are therefore much more sun-filled than others. The room to book here is the Double Deluxe. Although it is not the most opulent one, it comes with a large private terrace where guests can lounge, relax, and order room service while enjoying views over the Bay of Naples. The buffet breakfast is filled with delicious local pastries and continental classics, but there is no restaurant in the hotel, so guests are invited to try the many tasty restaurants in Sorrento and the neighbouring towns – the concierge, available 24/7, is always happy to tap into their local knowledge to help.

Laqua Countryside

Laqua is a slightly unusual option when visiting the Sorrento area, as it’s located outside the town in the hilly countryside, offering a different experience and atmosphere from the more maritime resorts on the coast. People often choose Laqua to relax and enjoy the countryside, less crowded and more authentic, especially in high season, but most of all to dine at its famous chef’s table. What is now a boutique hotel was once the childhood home of Italian Michelin-starred Chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo. There are only eight rooms available, all different from each other but equally sleek and meticulously designed. Although the Anna’s Room and the Andrea’s Room have a private garden, the dreamiest room of the eight is the Marina’s Room. A large, modern and stylish space with a small private terrace from which to enjoy one of the region’s most beautiful sunsets, with views stretching from the hills to the distant sea. The gorgeous rooms and the stunning pool surrounded by lush hills are enough to plan a trip to this hillside retreat, but the star of the show at Laqua is their farm-to-table, Michelin-starred restaurant. The restaurant, headed by Chef Nicola Somma, offers a celebration of Italian cuisine with a contemporary and sophisticated approach, always using local ingredients, often harvested in the hotel’s garden.

Maison La Minervetta

A design-led project that is an explosion of colours and patterns, Maison La Minervetta is a celebration of the artistic heritage of the Amalfi Coast, with a modern twist that makes it the perfect refuge for the cool international crowd flocking to Sorrento year-round. The house is perfectly located, a fifteen-minute walk away from the town centre and only a few (private) stairs away from the fishing village of Marina Grande. Descending the same staircase that leads to Marina Grande, guests will find a private Mediterranean garden with a whirlpool tub to enjoy during the warm days, of which there are many on this side of Europe. Every one of the twelve bedrooms, spread over two floors, enjoys a fantastic view of the bay. Thanks to the huge sea-facing windows throughout the property and the clearly nautical inspiration of the red-white-blue decor, staying at this boutique hotel can often feel like sailing on a very stylish boat. The communal areas, with plush sofas and plenty of reading material, are very inviting, but the best place to relax and embrace the Dolce Vita is the sun-soaked outdoor terrace filled with comfortable sunloungers and shaded tables to chat, read, and linger over a drink.

Maison Il Conservatorio

Located in the centre of town, Maison Il Conservatorio is a perfect base to explore Sorrento and the coast during both high and low season. A boutique hotel with only fourteen rooms, hidden in what was once a religious home of Dominican nuns and a refuge for the less fortunate girls of Sorrento, has kept the charm and mystic energy of the past. While the building is perfectly preserved, the interiors have been reimagined to bring comfort and modernity to guests while maintaining a deep connection to the location and its history. Entering the hotel, we are immersed in a cascade of blue: in the soft furnishings, the floors, the geometric-patterned tiles, and, finally, in the shimmering sea that can be spotted from the rooftop. Yet, all this blue is far from being overwhelming, and instead brings a feeling of fun and relaxation. The rooms are cosy and curated, with the double room featuring two bedrooms and two bathrooms for maximum comfort. The breakfast, to be enjoyed in the kitchen area or the sunny terrace, is a definite highlight, thanks to the many local delicacies available. Last but not least, the hotel is located in the town centre, but it is also a stone's throw away from the beach. Only a few minutes are necessary to reach the Marameo, one of the oldest beach clubs in Sorrento and the hotel’s preferred sandy outpost.