Hotel Caravel Sorrento

The Hotel Caravel Sorrento's bright-white exterior and gorgeous, lush gardens leading to the entrance and around the property are just the beginning of the lovely grounds. Also outside are a large patio with plenty of seating clusters, gorgeous flowers, and small fishponds, plus a solarium with views of the sea and surrounding landscape. Interiors are less striking and have mostly dated decor, including the lobby's purple and lime-green pleather armchairs, set against classic-style paintings and desks. The restaurant's rattan chairs, patterned-tile flooring, and heavy drapes feel more purposefully traditional in design. The hotel provides a good value and comfortable base for mostly couples who want a quiet setting a bit removed from the noise of Sorrento. 

Located on a quiet street, Hotel Caravel is a seven-minute drive outside Sorrento, which is ideal for those looking for a seaside vacation versus the bustle of a popular tourist town. However, given that there's not a ton to do on-site, active vacationers might prefer to deal with the summer crowds in Sorrento or Naples. Speaking of the beach, it's a quick five-minute walk to the sand, where paddle boats are available to guests of the hotel at a discount. 

Guests wanting to go into Sorrento can walk 20 minutes or hop on the hotel's free shuttle, which runs five times a day and stops at the Correale Museum of Sorrento, right in the heart of the old town. It's a 10-minute walk to the S. Agnello train station, which can take tourists to Mt. Vesuvius, Naples, Herculaneum, and Pompeii. 

The Hotel Caravel Sorrento bills itself as providing value for money, and that's generally what guests can expect from the rooms. Rooms decor varies, but all are outfitted in a neutral-tone color scheme, with tile floors, either contemporary or traditional wooden furniture, and mustard-yellow drapes. Some rooms add floral artwork or patterned bedspreads with green and orange accents that adds a nice pop of color. Though far from striking, they're comfortable and well-maintained. Note that the Double Standard Rooms and Singles are very small and lack storage space, but the others are pretty normal sized for European rooms. 

Guests can choose between truly lovely garden views, pool views, or views of Mount Vesuvius, as well as between having a furnished balcony or terrace in some of the upper-tier rooms. Each room has a flat-screen TV with few English-speaking channels, as well as plenty of outlets, a minibar, free Wi-Fi, and a safe. Tea- and coffee-making facilities are available for a fee. Bathrooms are a mix of styles -- traditional, rose-colored tile in some and earth-toned mosaic tiling in others. They either have a small shower stall or shower/tub combo, in addition to toiletries and a hairdryer.  

The hotel's outdoor swimming pool is a decent size, well-maintained, and never gets too crowded. Plenty of loungers fill the periphery, and more can be found on  two solarium terraces with panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples. There are no gym or spa facilities, however. The on-site restaurant, Il Fiocco, serves breakfast and dinner with a menu consisting of local fare, as well as Mediterranean and international cuisine. A variety of board options are available, and the free buffet breakfast with hot and cold dishes receives positive reviews. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and generally gets a reliable signal. Parking is available for a fee in a gated lot around the back of the property (although it can be a narrow squeeze for larger cars).