WRONGLY MEMORABLE

I must honestly say that we stayed at the Excelsior Vittoria 3 years ago. We had selected the place after checking out all available brochures of hotels on the Amalfi Coast, and had booked a superior room with a balcony and view for 10 nights.

From the minute we stepped in, the experience was a desastrous.

The hotel is set in a nice orange grove, at the verge of the cliff overlooking the port and the bay. It is truly stunning, but is is the only positive thing.

Nobody cared about parking the car for us.

We were showed to our room, which was small, with terrible furniture. The power was down. No way to get some light, including in the bathroom which has no window. It took over one hour to get fixed. By the time, we had found out that we had to call the front desk to get any change in the A/C settings, and a notice stated that anything that was not catered by the hotel, and nevertheless put in the mini-fridge would be charged anyway. How stylish. The huge balcony was furnished with miserable outdated garden furniture, with strapped plastic. But the view was truly and absolutely breathtaking.

By that time, I had already called twice to get my luggage.

We were so disappointed, that we got to the GM to complain about what we felt was a deception, since it was nowhere close to the official documentation. He showed us a couple of other rooms, which were even worse. As we said that we would be out the next morning, he threatened that we would have to pay for the full 10 days anyway. I advised him to get the Tourism Board and the police for me, which calmed the matter down.

We had dinner out, and found ants in the bed, which I carefully collected. The mattress by the way was so old , that it was shaped with 2 slopes parting from a higher middle peak. We had to fight all night to remain in bed, and we were the first downstairs for a lousy early breakfast, and check-out. We were granted a 50% discount on the rate, upon submission of the collected ants and my questionning if those were normally included in the rate, or came extra.

I travel a lot, both for pleasure and business : this is the worst value for money I ever had. Which is a shame, as the situation is beyond the words.

Amazing, Amazing, Amazing

Oh my goodness!

This is undeniably the most delectable hotel that I have ever experienced and I have stayed in many 5 stars around the world.

From the exquisite Fresco's, sumptuous Italian furniature, Breath taking views, wonderfully helpful staff and amazing food, you cannot fail to mimise the fabulous impression that this hotel leaves upon you.

Inspite of the hotel's beauty it is in no way pretentious and every care is taken to make you feel at home.

The greatest danger is that the hotel leaves a more lasting impression than Sorrento - and that is saying something for the Amalfi Coast is Stunning!!!

From a cost perspective I think that it is great value for money - especially if you choose to eat out and do not consume their food/drink around the pool.

A few of the guests mentioned that they stay at the hotel every single year and I can clearly see why - I am planning my next stay as soon as possible. You will love it.

Do not be tempted to stay at The Royal to save £20 - I feel that you will be severely disappointed. We had to move there for the last night as the Excelsior was full and it was awful (very 'carry on campers', lorry loads of tourists, bland - slightly tarnished rooms, rude management staff and you had better packed your nylon clothes as no ironing facilities - you have to pay and it takes 24 hours to get your clothes back!! Having said that the view was wonderful - although no way near enough to make make staying there bearable

Beautiful - and great food!

This is a beautiful hotel, set back from the main square in an orange grove, and from the moment we arrived the service was impecible. We had a 'superior' room with a private balcony on the top floor, and the view across the bay of Naples to Mount Vesuvius was just breathtaking; I will always remember waking up in the mornings and looking at that view from my bed.

The room was on the smallish side but was stunningly appointed, with a large bed with quality linens, marble floors and a high-spec bathroom. As we were on honeymoon, the hotel had left us complimentary chilled champagne, flowers and fruit which we drank on the balcony - one of the most romantic moments of my life! All of the details added to the experience - down to providing a pair of white cotton slippers by each side of the bed!!

The food was superb, fantastic fresh seafood and unusual pasta dishes - and unintrusive waiting staff who were able to comment on every item and every wine on the menu. The dining room was opulent but also intimate.

I can't recommend this hotel enough - stay there, it's worth the money.

Special but not stuffy

We spent 3 days at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in September. A perfect haven from the busy streets of Sorrento. Beautiful position overlooking the sea - the new swimming pool is perfect, and the open air pool bar/cafe is the best we have seen. A very special place with a terrific history but really friendly and helpful staff. Reading other guides I thought it was past its best - but if it ever was, it is now back to its former glory. Not cheap but well worth it.

Great view

You definately want a room with a balcony i think on the third floor. A corner room even better. View is amazing. Hotel has internet but no wireless and no xp. There is an elevator down to the port and you can take day trips to possitano / capri. bathrooms were nice. Cute town but not as good as capri.

Spectacular!!!!!

My wife and I stayed here on our honeymoon in November 2002. Wow this place was absolutely fantastic!!! We stayed in a beautiful room with a view to die for. Overlooking the Bay of Naples, the sunset and atmosphere was unforgettable. We felt so spoiled and fortunate to be there. Easy access to Isle of Capri, although the trip from Naples cost a lot and took a long time. Consider taking the train for a significant cost savings. Also, the breakfast was out of this world. Huge buffet with a ton of options. Loved every minute.

Wonderful

I stayed in this beautiful hotel for a week in May 2004. The view of the bay of Naples and Vesuvius is so beautiful that a sea view room with a balcony is worth the extra. The food was excellent for both breakfast and dinner. The staff were courteous and helpful. Sorrento can be busy, especially in the summer, so if you are looking for a relaxing haven away from the crowds, but in an unbeatable position, this is it.

Magnificent!

We stayed here for four nights during our honeymoon in Italy (Sept. 2001). This is an excellent hotel! We booked our room directly through the hotel and got a good deal. They provide free transfers from the Naples airport or train station if you stay for 3 or 4 nights or more. We arranged for that, and a great guy named Franco picked us up from the train station. What a treat it was to talk to him! We had booked a garden view room. We told them it was our honeymoon. They gave us a room that was both garden and sea view. It was at the corner of the building and had two small balconies (one that looked the garden and one that was perpendicular to the sea--so if you went out on the balcony, you had a view). The room was huge, although the bathroom was small. They had fresh flowers and champagne awaiting us in our room when we checked in (for our honeymoon, perhaps?). The staff was very attentive. We unfortunately were here when 9/11 occurred. They did everything they could to make us feel comfortable. The views from the back terrace of the hotel are spectacular. If you get a chance, eat at the Foreigner's Club, which is right across the way (one cliff over to the south, I believe). Excellent seaside dining with a view of the hotel (and cheaper than eating at the hotel). Note that breakfast is not included in the expensive hotel rate (in most other Italian hotels, it is included). We would most definitely return to this hotel.

Almost Perfect

The Grand Albergo Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is one of the few good hotels in Sorrento. The city, though local, has been modernized and is noisy, and the hotel is set very far back and is peaceful and quite (with exception of some ships). The hotel is stunning, with a beautiful pool, orange grove, and memorable view. There is even an elevator to take you down to the port for guests only. However, the food was only good, and in the one room we stayed in, we found ants after accidentally leaving our food for a long time. But most of all, THE ONLY GOOD HOTELS IN SORRENTO ARE PRICEY!!! Don't be intimidated; you'll be thankful you came.

Terrible service, but a beautiful location

I stayed at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria for 5 nights, the hotels location is spectacular. It is in the heart of Sorrento, so restaurants and shops are easily accessible. If you are looking for great service, and a nice hotel staff, I'd pick another hotel. Having traveled through Italy, the hotel staff and the service the concierge's provide are usually memorable. Not here. The concierges or bellman do not even greet you, nor did they even seem to know anything about their town. If you are looking for 5 star luxury, this is definitely not it. If you are looking for location, then it is great. Having met some of the locals, this hotel has been slowly declining in popularity. Their are several other Gems nearby.