Bellevue Syrene Sorrento, Italy

A historic hotel in grand Italian style with a fresh, modern approach and a spectacular Vesuvius-facing location. Bedrooms are romantic, the facilities excellent, and prices are lower than the equivalent five-star on the nearby Amalfi Coast.

9/10 Location

The hotel perches atop a towering cliff in a quiet corner of the town centre, overlooking the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius. Sorrento’s lidos, accessible via a lift, lie just below, and a 10-minute walk down a narrow, cobbled lane brings you to the charming fishing village of Marina Grande with its waterside fish restaurants. Shops, sights – and the accompanying crowds – are a five-minute stroll away.

9/10 Style and Character

Built on the site of a Roman villa, the present construction dates from 1750 – Bellevue Syrene celebrated its 200th anniversary as a hotel in 2020. Inside, cool marble hallways and dazzling white paintwork offset museum-worthy antique pieces, Murano chandeliers, modern art and photography and colourful, quirky ceramics. There are flamboyant echoes of a grand hotel and a touch of La Dolce Vita here, but the vibe – thanks to the input of the owners’ daughters who are gradually taking on the reigns – is modern, fresh and fun. The hotel stays open for Christmas and New Year when the owners and their families join guests to party.

9/10 Service and Facilities

Throughout the day, guests gather in the convivial glassed-in, winter garden-style Club Lounge, where complimentary snacks and refreshments are laid out from 10am-9pm. In warm weather, meals and drinks are served on a dreamy wisteria-draped, sea-facing terrace where the views over the bay to Vesuvius are truly spectacular. There’s a private bathing deck with sea access at the bottom of the cliff and a small pool with sun loungers on an upper terrace, plus a spa with hammam and a gym. Experiences and activities include cooking lessons at the owners’ delightful property along the coast, boat trips, and treks on the Path of the Gods and up Vesuvius. You can also learn all about Sorrento lemons and limoncello production. The smartly-dressed staff are helpful and smiling; many of them have been here for years, which is always a good sign. Bar Fitness centre Pool Room service Spa Wi-Fi Beach Laundry Restaurant Sauna Steam room/hammam 8/10 Rooms

All but two of the 50 bedrooms have sea views – and what views! The wide Bay of Naples is laid out with Vesuvius on the far side. The rooms are mostly large deluxe doubles and suites and most have balconies or terraces that take in the magnificent vistas. Oozing Italian elegance, they feature a mix of contemporary design pieces and flamboyant floral murals which sit alongside gilded mirrors and gorgeous antique pieces. The colour palette is fresh and fun with gleaming tiled floors, white paintwork and splashes of turquoise, soft grey, beige and mauve. Two Junior suites have 19th century frescoes, while the huge, sexy Suite Roccia is hewn out of solid tufa rock and features a hydrotherapy pool in the bedroom, along with a steam room. The Suite Pompeiana comes with a vast bathroom and a hot tub looking out to sea.
Beds are huge and made up with fine linens. Tiled bathrooms come with robes and slippers, plus eco-friendly in-house bath products.

8/10 Food and Drink

La Terrazza serves an elegant take on dishes from all over Italy, so you can feast on the likes of vitello tonnato, spaghetti Bellevue (featuring four different varieties of tomato), octopus in a punchy tomato sauce, or duck breast with smoked mash on what is arguably the most romantic terrace in town. The lunch menu – served on a ravishing terrace at La Pergola – offers lighter fare and snacks; you can also dine here in summer. You will never go hungry thanks to the spread of complimentary snacks and drinks (including spirits, wine and prosecco) available in the Club Lounge from 10am-7pm.
The sumptuous breakfast buffet – laid out in the ersatz Villa Pompeiana with a tinkling piano or strumming guitar in the background – includes buffalo-milk yoghurt from Paestum, poached seasonal fruit, freshly squeezed juices, bacon and egg, and a wide selection of delicious fresh pastries. Poached eggs and omelettes (cheese and onion, maybe, or mushroom) are made to order, and there’s a gluten-free corner, too.

8/10 Value for Money

Double rooms from €545 (£473) in low season; and from €1,128 (£980) in high. Breakfast included.

Access for guests with disabilities?

There are no fully adapted bedrooms, but much of the hotel is on the ground floor or accessible by lift.

Family-Friendly?

Yes. Cots are available, children under the age of two stay for free, and extra beds for those under the age of 12 cost €80 (£69). Babysitting can be arranged and there is a children’s menu in the restaurant.