Hotel Girasole

Stayed at this hotel for 11 nights last July and had a lovely time. Most of the staff seem to be related and were very friendly and helpful. We had a problem with the shower and they moved us straight away, no hassle. The front of the …

Had a great week here. In room 44 which was to rear with direct view from balcony to mount vesiusus. As others, front of hotel rooms and balconies directly over a busy road so worth upgrading to a garden room. Our room was spacious enough and clean with a small (& silent) fridge and a safe (free). Only a small TV but never used it. Rooms cleaned daily. Pack a travel kettle as not one in room. Breakfast same buffet each day. Scrambled egg, hot dogs, rolls, ham, cheese, salami, salads, cereals, yogurts and big range of cakes and croissants. You select your dinner choices at breakfast. 3 courses with first 2 being more like 2 small mains rather than a starter then main. E.g. pasta dish, then a separate meat dinner. All were great and never left hungry. Desserts perhaps bit basic, could have done with some of the lovely looking breakfast cakes as not one for a sweet tooth when just woke up. House wine red or white 10 euro a bottle and they write your room no on bottle so if don’t drink it all, they will keep it and serve again next day - or you can take remainder back to your room which was our option :) No entertainment whilst we were here but is a bar area for a pre or post dinner drink and a nice garden which sure in main summer would be great for a cold drink. Good size pool was unheated and as end October not busy, but I enjoyed a cold dip still and the poolside bar surrounded by lemon and orange trees. You do cross a small drive to pool directly from hotel garden but we’re talking 5 to 10m max so really is a non issue. Family run and maybe as last week before closed for season so not full, we did form a sense of community with staff and other guests, sharing days activities and tips. Was always someone on reception. All on the flat 10/15 min walk to station which is also where buses set off from (5070 Amalfi coast bus gets very busy but definitely an experience on the coastal road if do brave it). Extra 5 mins into main town area, which is lovely with plenty to explore. Supermarket directly on way if need supplies. May be due to end of season but Sorrento itself less expensive than expected e.g. 5 euro large beers, sit down pizzas from around 8 euros. If want to head to Capri recommend pre-booking shared tour with pick up by Coop S.Antonio online and taking up their additional on island tour which offer on the boat, as takes all the stress of trying to navigate Capri up to chair lift in Anacapri away and was competitive with trying to do it all solo. Even this late in season ferry terminal in Sorrento and then moving around on Capri looked manic and time consuming otherwise. Would happily stay here again.

Family run hotel. On very busy road which is noisy and smelly from scooter fumes! Basic rooms, small portions in restaurant. Ask for room at back of hotel facing mount Vesuvius.