Via Catigliano 9, Sorrento, Italy | (618) 248-8274
Hilltop location with panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples
Free hourly shuttles to Sorrento's train station
Art-focused interiors with original art on display
Pleasant rooms have minibars, rainfall showers, and toiletries
Balconies come standard, and some overlook the water
Well-sized outdoor pool with lovely sea views
Poolside cocktail and snack bar
Free breakfast buffet with hot and cold items
All-day restaurant serving Sorrentine and Neapolitan cuisine
Small spa with hydrotherapy pool and treatment rooms
Free Wi-Fi and parking
Located up a steep hill with narrow street (bus service available)
No gym (reportedly coming in 2019)
No guests under 14 allowed (pro for some)
Food receives mixed reviews
Some units have poor views of bushes
The 100-room Art Hotel Gran Paradiso is an upper-middle-range property with panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples. Its setting up a steep hill means the free shuttle service is popular, and the ride is under 10 minutes. It has a pleasing garden setting, art-filled interiors, and a quiet environment, though live music at night provides some entertainment. A sea-view outdoor pool is the highlight here, plus there are a small spa. Unfortunately, the gym won't be available until 2019 and food at the restaurant receives mixed reviews. On the plus side, all rates include a free breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi. Rooms are fairly simple, though many have lovely colorful accents and sea-view balconies. Others, however, have poor views of bushes. As this hotel only accepts guests over 14, young families should consider Grand Hotel Flora.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Pleasant garden surroundings, art-filled interiors, and gorgeous sea views throughout
The Art Hotel Gran Paradiso is housed in a pale-yellow Mediterranean-style building set on lush grounds with gardens, and orange, lemon, and olive trees. The hotel embodies its name: Its focus is on art, and the hotel's colorful interiors and numerous artworks give it pizzazz and an interesting vibe. A red heart sculpture sits atop the building, and there are paintings, sculptures, and other locally produced works throughout the public spaces and in the rooms. The lobby's lime-green and brown furniture don't feel quite modern or attractive, but the adjacent restaurant has more appealing light-blue and white hair covers under dark-blue chandeliers. Guests tend to gather around the outdoor pool, which offers panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples, the Sorrento Coast, and Mount Vesuvius. There's little aside from live music to keep guests entertained at night, so many visitors opt for the free shuttle to Sorrento. Be aware that kids under 14 are not allowed. Travelers more interested in being in the city center should consider Maison Tofani, though it lacks a pool and sea views. Couples willing to pay a bit more may prefer the 12-room Maison La Minervetta, which is just steps from the beach.
Location
Quiet setting up a steep hill, a seven-minute drive from town
The Art Hotel Gran Paradiso is situated just south of the SS-145/Corso Italia road, in a hilltop location within a 10-minute drive of Sorrento's city center. Sorrento attractions include Piazza Tasso, Basilica di Sant'Antonino, Cathedral of Sorrento, and the hydrofoil ferries to Naples and the Amalfi Coast. The walk back from town is up a very steep, narrow, and winding road, but the hotel does offer a free shuttle with pick-up and drop-off at Sorrento station. Pompeii is about a 50-minute drive away, while Naples and Naples International Airport are about an hour north of the hotel.
Rooms
Simple rooms with art, flat-screen TVs, and balconies
The three-floor Art Hotel Gran Paradiso has 100 quiet and light-filled rooms, each with an original artwork from a contemporary artist. Furnishings are otherwise simple and varied by room, consisting of tile floors, basic wood and glass furniture, and white linens. Some add orange sofas, chairs made of cardboard, and wall murals. All units have furnished balconies or terraces, with either pretty sea views or poor vistas of bushes. Standard amenities consist of air-conditioning, hairdryers, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and wall-mounted flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Wardrobes have safes, bathrobes, and slippers. Bathrooms have rainfall showers and quality toiletries, plus bidets in most.
Features
Free breakfast buffet and outdoor pool with sea views
The Art Hotel Gran Paradiso's crowning feature is its well-sized outdoor pool with a glass front that affords guests views of the Gulf of Naples from inside the pool. The terrace, a popular spot for cocktails at sunset, has lounge chairs, umbrellas, and offers more views of the gulf and Mount Vesuvius. Note that a €40 deposit is required for pool towels. The poolside bar serves alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks and light fare such as pizza and bruschetta. The indoor restaurant serves hearty Italian and local fare -- think beef dishes, pasta, and risotto. Buffet breakfasts are free, and include cereals, breads, cold cuts, fruit, yogurt, and scrambled eggs. However, food receives mixed reviews. A small spa area has a hydrotherapy pool and treatment rooms, and a small fitness center is set to open in 2019. Freebies include Wi-Fi, parking, use of a public computer, and shuttles to the center of Sorrento (offered for about 12 hours each day).
