Hotel Zi Teresa

The hotel's common spaces are as outdated as the rest of the hotel -- think floral rugs under fuchsia and spring green sofas -- but the reception area offers plenty of seating and a spot to drink a cocktail from the lobby bar. There aren't really grounds to speak of, in terms of extensive gardens or lawns, but the pool area is well-maintained and wraps around a lovely cluster of palm trees. Plus, a rooftop solarium has some wicker benches and gorgeous views of the Bay of Naples. There's not enough charm or atmosphere for it to be a good choice for couples seeking a romantic getaway, but it's a solid choice given its reasonable rates and location.

Hotel Zi Teresa is located right off the main Sorrento road on a quiet side street that's just outside the center of town, though it's not isolated from necessities. Nearby, there are a bar, restaurant, spa, and police station. The town's train station, where guests can set off to Naples, Mt. Vesuvius, and Pompeii, is about eight minutes away on foot, and the beautiful Piazza Tasso is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. There's also a ferry port a roughly 10-minute walk away (it involves taking a lift down to sea level) that takes visitors across to Naples and Capri. Near the port are a few small beaches as well, which is extremely handy during the summer months. For those not keen on walking, the hotel is on the local bus route that stops in the town center and at the train station.  There's not a ton to do in Sorrento, but it's a short drive to access the top sights of the region: Naples and Vesuvio National Park are about an hour away by car, and the trip to Pompeii is about 50 minutes. For some, it might be easier to take the ferry to Naples, which is an hour's journey as well. Naples' airport is about an hour by car, or 2 hours by ferry and transit. 

The property's 57 good-sized rooms are spotless to start and cleaned daily, though they're inarguably dated, with blue-tile flooring, pale-yellow walls, and heavy-looking bed linens and upholstery a couple decades past their time. Some guests have complained that the beds are hard and while not constant, it's worth noting that noise from nearby traffic and adjacent rooms can be an issue. Bathrooms are tiled in the regional style and have basic toiletries and hose-style hairdryers. The shower stalls are very small, though the size is pretty standard for Italy. Standard amenities include minibars, flat-screen TVs, and free safes, though these aren't big enough for laptops. Most rooms have a furnished balcony. For the best views, head to an upgraded room on a higher level, which offer the best views of Mt. Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples; others look out over a lemon grove. 

Unsurprisingly, leisure facilities are limited at this small property, though there are a couple noteworthy features. The outdoor pool is on the small side but well-maintained, and it has plenty of sun loungers to go around. The poolside bar serves sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and drinks. Up on the rooftop is a tiled solarium terrace that looks out over the Bay of Naples. Although there's no bar on the roof, guests can order drinks from the lounge in the lobby and have them brought up. The free breakfast is generally very good, aside from the machine-made coffee and juice. There's a wide range of options, including gluten-free items. The spread is Italian-continental style, with cheeses, cakes, cereal, eggs, and a second hot protein. In the evenings, the on-site restaurant serves from a set menu of typically three options. There's also a bar in the lounge for cocktails (and a morning espresso, should the machine brew not cut it). Drinks throughout the property are reasonably priced.  A private underground parking garage is available at a reasonable rate for guests with cars. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the property.