Via Rota, 15, Sorrento Coast, Sorrento, Italy | (618) 248-8274
Great location for exploring Sorrento
Clean, spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs
Two on-site pools, one with gorgeous sea views
Two on-site restaurants are bright and airy
Sea and mountain views can be seen from many rooms
Freebies include breakfast and Wi-Fi
Pets are welcome
Pools and bar close early
Decor feels dated to some
Grand Hotel De La Ville in Sorrento, on the western coast of Italy, has plenty going for it: a prime location for touring, clean rooms with modern amenities, lovely grounds, two nice pools, and ocean views from various points. It’s not directly on the bay, but it's close enough to walk there (and to the center of town, too). However, there are many complaints that the food is hit or miss, and guests in their 20s and early 30s seem bothered by an oddly formal, dated vibe in the dining room especially. Younger guests may do better not to purchase the board meal plan and instead eat at the many casual restaurants nearby.
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Scene
Well-maintained, classic decor, with more formal styles of attire expected
The building, nondescript and built in the ‘70s, is nothing special architecturally speaking. But the interior of this hotel is welcoming and well-maintained: Glossy marble floors, polished wood, and sconces give the property a traditional, almost homey feel. Families won't find much here geared to them in particular, and neither will business travelers. Couples are the predominant clientele, and the hotel seems best suited to an older crowd. Some have complained about "stuffy" formalities like wait staff being dressed in uniforms suited for cruise ships of yesteryear, a requirement that men wear trousers to dinner, and an unusually early last call at the bar. Opinions on the decor seem split by age, with middle-aged travelers praising its "classic" appeal while the younger crowd tends to see it as dated. But all ages agree on one thing -- the staff is helpful, and the views are stunning.
Location
Scenic and within walking distance of the town square and harbor
The hotel is in an ideal spot to explore the surrounding town by foot, and guests who intend to just explore Sorrento and Capri may not even need to rent a car.** **The Grand Hotel's street is just outside of the center of town, close enough to be convenient to shops and restaurants but far enough away that traffic is reduced.It's about a 10-minute walk to the Piazza Tasso, the main square in Sorrento. Getting to the harbor and its view of Mount Vesuvius, with boats heading out to the island of Capri, requires about a 15-minute walk. Naples and its airport is an hour away by car. Buses are readily available at the airport; they may take a bit longer in terms of traveling time but offer huge savings compared to a taxi.
Rooms
All clean and spacious -- some with stunning views -- but they're missing certain amenities
The 120 rooms in the Grand Hotel are uniformly clean, big, and air-conditioned, and all have balconies and flat-screen TVs. Even the bathrooms are roomy, with large showers tiled in attractive blue and white and marble sinks. Decor is bordering on mundane, however, and may remind some travelers of a neater version of their bedroom at home. Some guests were also let down upon discovering there were no coffee or tea-making supplies, no irons, and no outlets convenient to the bed for phone charging (bathrooms do have hairdryers, though). Many find it worth paying extra for the rooms at the front of the hotel on the higher floors; they face the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, so the views are vastly superior.
Features
Two pools and ample eating options, although some feel the food is hit or miss
Both pools are appealing in their own way: The rooftop pool has incredible views and plenty of cheery lounge chairs and umbrellas; the garden pool, hidden away behind the hotel, is quieter. The rooftop bar also has a cozy seating area with umbrellas and cafe tables. The restaurant is bright and airy, with white tile throughout. The hotel’s free breakfast offers a wide selection, including meats and cheeses on top of the usual cereal, pastries, and fruit.The drawbacks are that there is no fitness center or business center, and the bar and pools close early.
