Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento

Caruso and Princess Margaret were once guests at this centrally located Sorrento hotel

The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is a familiar landmark as you approach Sorrento from the sea.

The entrance to Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

You will see the three 19th century buildings that make up the hotel on top of the cliff above the port when you arrive by boat from Naples or the islands.
The Excelsior Vittoria is probably Sorrento’s most famous hotel and has now achieved global recognition as part of the Leading Hotels of the World group.
From the imposing wrought iron entrance gates in Piazza Tasso, a long driveway lined with orange trees leads to the entrance and reception area.
At the back of the hotel the terrace has panoramic views over the bay of Naples and of Vesuvius across the water. The brilliant tenor Enrico Caruso was famously photographed in front of that view during his stay in 1921.
The hotel has also welcomed other distinguished visitors, including Richard Wagner, Marilyn Monroe and HRH the Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II of England .
The Excelsior Vittoria was opened as a hotel by the Fiorentino family in 1834 and is still run by their descendants.
The décor exudes 19th century elegance with ornately decorated ceilings and antique furniture.
There are extensive gardens, an outdoor pool and a private lift down to the port.
The Vittoria Restaurant, which overlooks the sea, serves a buffet breakfast and main meals.
The hotel has 75 rooms and 21 themed suites.
Suite Margaret, named after the Princess, has a bathroom furnished with red marble from Campania and an enamel bath with classic English taps. The suite has a 25 square metre terrace overlooking the sea.
Suite Caruso is furnished with the piano and writing desk used by the tenor during his stay.

Editor’s note: “I will never forget the thrill of having my photograph taken on the exact spot on the terrace where Caruso had stood in 1921.”

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, go to our hotel booking partners, Hotels.com and Expedia UK. 

Why stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento?

One of the world’s most prestigious hotels, the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is in a superb location in Sorrento. The front entrance off Piazza Tasso makes it handy for the best shops and restaurants in the resort.
It is set back from the road in beautiful gardens and has a terrace with marvellous views over the Bay of Naples.
Opera fans will be fascinated by the hotel’s connection with Neapolitan tenor Enrico Caruso.
Caruso sang to great acclaim at opera houses all over Europe and America during his all too brief career. His 1904 recording of ‘Vesti la giubba’ was the first recording ever to sell a million copies.
Caruso loved Sorrento and his stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is recognised by a plaque near the entrance gate to the hotel.

The Ristorante Caruso is close
to the hotel

The photograph of Caruso in front of the view from the Excelsior Vittoria’s terrace in 1921 went on to become one of the most famous images ever taken of the tenor.
Suite Caruso, furnished with the piano and writing desk used by the opera singer, inspired the song ‘Caruso’ to be written by Italian pop singer Lucio Dalla in the late 1980s while he was staying at the Excelsior Vittoria.
Opera fans might also be interested in visiting nearby Ristorante Museo Caruso in Via Sant’Antonino, a restaurant with a small museum that commemorates the life and career of the famous opera singer.

What to see in Sorrento

A short walk from Piazza Tasso along Via Luigi de Maio will take you to Piazza Sant’Antonino named after Sorrento’s patron saint. The square has a statue of Sant’Antonino Abate and is home to Basilica Sant’Antonino, parts of which date back to the 11th century. In the sacristy is a beautiful example of a presepe (crib) with 17th century figures made by Neapolitan sculptors.

You can walk from the square down to Marina Piccola, from where boats and hydrofoils depart to Naples, Ischia, Capri, Positano and Amalfi.
Or you can continue along to Via San Francesco and the Villa Communale (public gardens), where there are benches to rest on while you admire the views of the bay and the promontory you can see that is known as Punta del Capo. Just off the gardens is Chiesa di San Francesco and its pretty Chiostro (cloisters), parts of which date back to the 14th century and are now a popular venue for weddings.

Directions: The entrance to the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is off Piazza Tasso to the right as you look in the direction of the sea close to the beginning of Corso Italia. It is a short walk along Corso Italia to the railway station in Piazza De Curtis.

Restaurant recommendation: La Fenice in Via degli Aranci is a few minutes walk from the Excelsior Vittoria.
Fresh fish is brought in by boat to Sorrento every day for the dishes offered on the extensive menu of the restaurant.
Diners can see the impressive variety of seafood available on display by the doorway of the restaurant before they are shown to a table in either the garden or air conditioned interior.
La Fenice has been offering fish dishes and other Sorrentine specialities under the direction of Giuseppe Maresca and Nello Castellano since 1986.
The smart restaurant is open every day during the summer serving high quality food at reasonable prices both at lunch and dinner time.
Among the primi piatti (first courses) are gnocchi alla sorrentina (potato dumplings with cheese and tomato), linguine alla bella napoli (with seafood) and risotto alla pescatora (risotto with seafood and tomato).
The local fresh fish is served cooked in either lemon, white wine or fresh tomato sauce.
Other speciality dishes include scaloppina alla Fenice (veal escalope with ham and peas) and involtini alla sorrentina (veal rolls with ham and cheese). The extensive pizza list includes calzone alla sorrentina (a folded pizza filled with tomato, mozzarella cheese and ham).
La Fenice is closed every Monday from the beginning of September until the next holiday season.

Gnocchi alla sorrentina

Local specialities: Try gnocchi alla sorrentina, little dumplings made from potato, egg and flour cooked in a rich tomato sauce with mozzarella and basil or scialatielle ai frutti di mare (fresh pasta strips with shellfish).
A typical fish dish from the area is pezzogna all’acqua pazza (white fish cooked with tomato, garlic and parsley).
Sorrento is a good place to try an authentic pizza, a dish born in nearby Naples. Try Pizza Margherita (with tomato, mozzarella and basil) created in honour of Queen Margherita, wife of Umberto I.

Local wines: White: Light dry, fragrant Falanghina goes perfectly with fish and dishes made with mozzarella, such as insalata caprese.
It is made from grapes grown on the slopes of Vesuvius, along the Sorrentine peninsula or near the Amalfi coast and you don’t very often see it outside Campania, let alone in other countries.
Look out for producers such as Feudi San Gregorio from Avellino and Ocone from Benevento, who are considered to produce high quality wines.
The name falanghina is thought to derive from the latin word phalanga,  meaning stake or pole, in reference to the early Greek method of training vines to poles. This proves the wine has very ancient origins and was probably the forerunner of other Campanian white wines, such as Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino.
Falanghina is best drunk when it is young and should be served well chilled.

Shopping: Taste limoncello (Sorrento’s lemon liqueur) while on holiday and then buy a bottle of it to take home with you. Inlaid wooden objects and locally produced leather goods are also good buys.

Book a room at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento with Hotels.com or compare prices with Expedia UK.

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Hotel Dania Capo di Sorrento

Friendly, family run hotel has wonderful views across the Bay of Naples

The Hotel Dania is surrounded by greenery

If you are looking for a good hotel in a quiet location outside Sorrento, consider booking a stay at the Hotel Dania.
Housed in an old villa on a panoramic point along the Sorrentine peninsula at Capo di Sorrento, the Hotel Dania is good value and the perfect choice for a relaxing holiday.
The three-star hotel on the Via del Capo has a large terrace overlooking the sea with magnificent sweeping views, from Vesuvius to the point of land known as Capo di Massa, which has the remains of a Saracen stone tower at the tip where the land meets the sea.
From the Dania's dining room you can see cruise ships going past at night, lit up so they look like glittering diamond necklaces strung out over the sea. Sunset over the island of Ischia across the bay also offers a stunning spectacle.
In the mornings you can watch the ferries and hydrofoils crossing from Sorrento to Capri and Ischia, or sailing past Capo di Massa to round Punta Campanella and reach the resorts along the Amalfi coast.
The Hotel Dania is beautifully furnished with traditional antique pieces and local ceramics that have been in the owner’s family for generations. The hotel is well run by the friendly staff, some of whom have worked there for many years.

Sunset over Ischia

Although the hotel is handy for the centre of Sorrento, with two bus services passing the entrance, you have the feeling that you are out in the countryside as you are surrounded by gardens and there is a path flanked by lemon trees and olive groves, in places overhung by grape vines, leading down to the sea.
The hotel has a large swimming pool and a sun terrace with a bar serving drinks and snacks.
A generous buffet breakfast is served each morning and the dining room also offers a lunch and dinner menu.
Editor’s note: “It is nearly 20 years since I first stayed at the Hotel Dania in Sorrento, arriving late at night with my husband and two young children, but I can still remember how we were instantly made to feel welcome and put at our ease by the family who own the hotel. When we woke up the following morning to see the fabulous views from the hotel of the bay of Naples, our love affair with the Dania began and we have returned to stay there many times since.”

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at Hotel Dania, go to our hotel booking partners Hotels.com and Expedia UK

Why stay at Hotel Dania at Capo di Sorrento?

Hotel Dania is in a beautiful, peaceful location at Capo di Sorrento but is still handy for the bars, shops and restaurants of Sorrento, a 10-minute bus ride away.
Capo di Sorrento is the first of a series of lovely villages and beaches along the Sorrentine peninsula, overlooking the bay of Naples.
It is a wonderful base for exploring the Roman ruins and old pathways of this beautiful and unspoilt area, which is not nearly as well known to tourists as the resort of Sorrento itself.

What to see near Hotel Dania at Capo di Sorrento

A short walk from Hotel Dania is the point of land protruding from the Sorrento peninsula known as Punta del Capo.
Many wealthy Romans built holiday villas on the panoramic points along the Sorrento coast and so it is not surprising that there are the extensive remains of a first century Roman villa on Punta del Capo, which you can explore at any time of the day free of charge.
From Via del Capo follow the signs pointing to i ruderi romani (Roman ruins) down to the sea along Via Punta Capo past the church of San Rosario.

Il Bagno della Regina Giovanna

You will come first to a natural triangular pool with an archway of rock over it which is known as il Bagno della Regina Giovanna (Queen Joan’s bath). The clear shimmering water in the pool attracts swimmers and snorkellers in the summer.
On the tip of Punta del Capo are the ruins of a large Roman villa which would once have had grand rooms from which the panoramic views of the bay could be enjoyed. The villa would also have had access from the sea for visitors arriving by boat.
It is believed that the villa was built by wealthy Roman citizen Pollio Felice and that the ruins are of the magnificent holiday home described in the writings of both Horace and the poet Stazio. Pollio Felice was a learned historian, orator and poet who founded a library in Rome and was the protector of Virgil and Horace.
Queen Joan’s bath may have once been the swimming pool for the villa and it is thought there were also some beautiful gardens and a vineyard.
The natural pool may have acquired its name because a 14th century Queen of Naples named Giovanna was known to have frequented the spot with her ladies-in-waiting for bathing. Giovanna was famous both for her beauty and her cruelty towards her subjects and it is believed she came to a violent end, strangled by her nephew.
A lovely beach with an expanse of sand that is free to use can be found at the old fishing village of Marina di Puolo, further along the peninsula.
From the Hotel Dania, you can make your way down to the beach along an old path that goes past olive groves and a vineyard. There is a good sized stretch of grey, volcanic sand open to the public. You can hire sunbeds, deckchairs and umbrellas from Angelo, the resident bagnino, who can usually be found near the restaurant Da Raffaele.

Restaurant recommendation: VerdeMare

VerdeMare Ristorante Pizzeria

A short walk from the Hotel Dania you will find VerdeMare Ristorante Pizzeria, which serves authentic Sorrentine dishes of a very high quality for less than you might pay in the centre of the resort.
The restaurant, at the junction of Via del Capo and Via Nastro Verde, has an extensive menu to choose from.
Look out for gamberi e rucola (fresh prawns on a bed of rocket in a lemon dressing) and spaghetti alla VerdeMare (spaghetti with a rich tomato, vegetable and seafood sauce).
VerdeMare is closed on Wednesdays.

Local specialities: Try gnocchi alla sorrentina, little dumplings made from potato, egg and flour cooked in a rich tomato sauce with mozzarella and basil, or scialatielle ai frutti di mare (fresh pasta strips with shellfish).
A typical fish dish from the area is pezzogna all’acqua pazza, white fish cooked with tomato, garlic and parsley.
Sorrento is a good place to try an authentic pizza, a dish born in nearby Naples . Try Pizza Margherita (with tomato, mozzarella and basil) created in honour of Queen Margherita, wife of Umberto I, King of Italy.

Local wines: White: Light dry, fragrant Falanghina goes perfectly with fish and dishes made with mozzarella, such as insalata caprese.
It is made from grapes grown on the slopes of Vesuvius, along the Sorrentine peninsula or near the Amalfi coast and you don’t very often see it outside Campania, let alone in other countries.
Look out for producers such as Feudi San Gregorio from Avellino and Ocone from Benevento, who are considered to produce high quality wines.
The name falanghina is thought to derive from the latin word phalanga, meaning stake or pole, in reference to the early Greek method of training vines to poles. This proves the wine has very ancient origins and was probably the forerunner of other Campanian white wines, such as Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino.
Falanghina is best drunk young and the more chilled it is, the better.

Shopping: Taste limoncello (Sorrento’s lemon liqueur) while on holiday and then buy a bottle of  it to take home with you. Inlaid wooden objects and locally produced leather goods are also good buys.

Book a room at the Hotel Dania with Hotels.com or compare prices with Expedia UK

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Imperial Hotel Tramontano Sorrento

Historic hotel in peaceful setting is handy for the centre of Sorrento

Gardens at the Hotel Tramontano

An excellent hotel in the centre of Sorrento, the Imperial Hotel Tramontano has a fascinating history.

The hotel lies in a peaceful location away from the main street, Via Vittorio Veneto, in beautiful gardens. Guests can enjoy the views of Vesuvius across the bay and superb sunsets from the Tramontano’s terrace.

The famous song Torna a Surriento (Come back to Sorrento) was composed by Neapolitan poet and artist Giambattista de Curtis on that very terrace in 1902.

The hotel has large, elegant reception rooms decorated with paintings and antique furniture. The old courtyard and garden have rare Mediterranean and sub tropical plants as well as local flowers and citrus trees.

The luxuriously furnished guest bedrooms and suites have views either of the sea, the courtyard or the gardens.

There is an outdoor swimming pool with its own bar, a 16th century chapel and an elevator to carry guests down to the beach.

The hotel restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, is under the direction of Alfonso Iaccarino, the owner of the famous Michelin-starred Don Alfonso restaurant at nearby Sant’Agata su due Golfi.

Torquato Tasso, who is considered to be the greatest Italian poet of the Renaissance, was born on 11 March, 1544 in a house that now forms part of the elegant, four-star hotel.

The poet travelled about in Italy constantly during his 51-year life but came back to Sorrento towards the end to visit his beloved sister Cornelia who had never left the resort.

With its stunning setting in pretty gardens overlooking the bay of Naples, it is not surprising that the Imperial Hotel Tramontano has provided inspiration for other famous writers who have stayed there since.

It is believed Milton and Goethe visited the historic building and, more recently, the hotel has accommodated American writers James Fennimore Cooper and Harriet Beecher Stowe.

The Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen is said to have written Ghosts during a long stay at the Imperial Hotel Tramontano in the mid 19th century.

Only a five minute walk from Piazza Tasso in the centre of Sorrento, the Imperial Hotel Tramontano is in an ideal position. Guests can enjoy the tranquillity of the setting but are within easy reach of Sorrento’s shops and restaurants. The hotel is also handy for the port at Marina Piccola and the railway station in Piazza de Curtis if visitors wish to travel further afield.

Editor’s note: ‘I will never forget the orange trees in the beautiful garden or relaxing with a glass of wine on the Tramontano’s terrace while watching the sun set.’

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at the Imperial Hotel Tramontano, go to our hotel booking partners Hotels.com and Expedia UK. 

Why stay at the Imperial Hotel Tramontano in Sorrento?

The Tramontano is right in the centre of Sorrento, overlooking the Bay of Naples. Known by Italians as La Gentile (The Noble One), Sorrento is a beautiful resort with a mild climate and excellent tourist amenities, making it an ideal holiday location.

The historic centre has a wealth of elegant architecture and Greek, Roman and medieval buildings to visit as well as superb hotels, restaurants and shops.

The Imperial Hotel Tramontano is close to Piazza Sant’Antonino, named after Sorrento’s patron saint. The square has a statue of Sant’Antonino Abate and is home to Basilica Sant’Antonino, parts of which date back to the 11th century.

You can walk from the square down to Marina Piccola, from where boats and hydrofoils depart to Naples, Ischia, Capri, Positano and Amalfi.

In nearby Via San Francesco next to the Villa Communale is the Chiesa di San Francesco, famous for its pretty Chiostro (cloisters), parts of which date back to the 14th century.

What to see in Sorrento

In the historic centre of Sorrento there is a wealth of beautiful architecture illustrating the fascinating history of the town, which was inhabited by Greeks and then Romans, who called it Surrentum, a name derived from the myth of the Sirens who tried to tempt Ulysses.

There are still remnants of the Greek defensive walls to be seen at Porta Parsano Nuova and in Via Sopra Le Mura.

You will see a real gem of Greek architecture as you walk down to the fishing village of Marina Grande along Via Marina Grande. You will pass under the original fourth century BC Greek Gate, a round arched gateway built from square cut blocks of stone. When you emerge from the passageway into the sunshine you will have a stunning view of the sea and the beach of Marina Grande.

In the characteristic narrow shopping street Via San Cesareo there is an elegant 15th century loggia, Sedile Dominova, originally built as a meeting place for the nobility and sumptuously decorated with frescoes.

Sorrento is well placed for visiting the resorts of the Amalfi coast by bus or car and the roman ruins at Pompei and Ercolano or the fascinating city of Naples by train.

Visitors can also take a boat to Naples and the islands, or sail round Punta della Campanella at the tip of the Sorrentine peninsula to visit Positano or Amalfi.

Directions: Leave Piazza Tasso in the centre of Sorrento along Via Luigi de Maio and continue along Via San Francesco into Via Vittorio Veneto where you will find the Imperial Hotel Tramontano on the right.

Restaurant recommendation:  Ristorante Pizzeria Zi’ntonio in Via Luigi de Maio is a short walk from the Imperial Hotel Tramontano.

The air conditioned interior is decorated with hand painted ceramic tiles from Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi coast. On the ground floor the tiles create the setting of a pergola in a vineyard while upstairs they represent the coastline of Sorrento seen from out in the bay of Naples .

While you wait for your meal the waiters will bring you savoury snacks and freshly baked strips of pizza dough to nibble.

There is a comprehensive menu of antipasti, pasta and risotto and fish and meat dishes as well as an extensive pizza list. These are cooked to order in a traditional wood oven.

There are plenty of wines from Campania and further afield and if you choose a white wine it is always served beautifully chilled.

Zi’ntonio (which translates as Uncle Tony) is run by Mariano and Michela and members of their family. Many of the waiters have been on the staff for years, which helps to provide a homely and welcoming atmosphere.

Editor’s note: ‘My favourite dish is Risotto alla Pescatora (seafood risotto) complemented by a crisp, white Falanghina wine from Campania.’

Local specialities: Try gnocchi alla sorrentina, little dumplings made from potato, egg and flour cooked in a rich tomato sauce with mozzarella and basil, or scialatielle ai frutti di mare (fresh pasta strips with shellfish).

A typical fish dish from the area is pezzogna all’acqua pazza, white fish cooked with tomato, garlic and parsley.

Sorrento is a good place to try an authentic pizza, a dish born in nearby Naples. Try Pizza Margherita (with tomato, mozzarella and basil) created in honour of Queen Margherita, wife of Umberto I.

Local wines: White: Light dry, fragrant Falanghina goes perfectly with fish and dishes made with mozzarella, such as insalata caprese.

It is made from grapes grown on the slopes of Vesuvius, along the Sorrentine peninsula or near the Amalfi coast and you don’t very often see it outside Campania, let alone in other countries.

Look out for producers such as Feudi San Gregorio from Avellino and Ocone from Benevento , who are considered to produce high quality wines.

The name falanghina is thought to derive from the latin word phalanga,  meaning stake or pole, in reference to the early Greek method of training vines to poles. This proves the wine has very ancient origins and was probably the forerunner of other Campanian white wines, such as Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino.

Falanghina is best drunk young and well chilled.

Shopping: Taste limoncello ( Sorrento’s lemon liqueur) while on holiday and then buy a bottle of it to take home with you. Inlaid wooden objects and locally produced leather goods are also good buys.

Book a room at the Imperial Hotel Tramontano with Expedia UK or try Hotels.com

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