Il Nido Hotel Sorrento

The sign arched over the entryway, "Hotel Il Nido" (aka "The Nest Hotel") is the one and only marker for this property, which is located in the hills above Sorrento on a slope that dips below road level. In the lobby, a white-and-black tiled floor meets pale yellow walls. The wood reception desk and simple wood armchairs and couches with striped white-and-yellow cushions are gathered near a large window. Sconce lighting adds character and potted plants provide a bit of color. Decor is dated, but the public spaces are clean and well-kept. There are few common areas in the hotel. A real standout is the restaurant's terrace, with panoramic views of the Bay of Naples. The property is mostly visited by budget-minded couples and families who use this as a base for exploring the area.

Il Nido Hotel Sorrento is set along a scenic road that climbs through the lemon groves in the hills above Sorrento. The location offers exceptional views of Sorrento and the Gulf of Naples, and while there isn't much in the immediate vicinity, the spot is quiet and relaxing. Guests can get to Sorrento's town center in about 10 to 15 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The hotel offers free hourly shuttle service, as well. Guests often use the hotel as a base to explore not just Sorrento but nearby sights like the Amalfi Coast (one-hour drive) and Pompeii (50-minute drive). Naples International Airport is an hour's drive. Parking at the hotel is free.

Rooms at the hotel are cheerful and clean, with adequate space and modern amenities. Decor is somewhat dated: Beige tiled floors meet pale yellow walls, yellow bedspreads, and blond-wood furniture. All rooms are air-conditioned and include a work desk, 20-inch TV, minibar, and free Wi-Fi. Room sizes include Single, Double, Triple, and Quadruple Rooms, and rooms are priced based on both size and view. Economy Rooms look out on a neighboring building and have no view. Upgraded rooms might have partial or full views of the Gulf of Naples. Guests particularly enjoy the balcony rooms, which include a small table and chairs and overlook the water, with Mount Vesuvius in the backdrop. Bathrooms may feature plain tiling or more colorful ceramic tiles and include bidets and toilets plus standing showers (eight rooms include bathtubs). Bathrooms are stocked with hairdryers and generic toiletries. Past guests have complained about thin towels.

The hotel has limited extra amenities, but what it does do, it tends to do well. There's a lobby with a small sitting area and a restaurant with large windows, plus an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining with excellent panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples. The restaurant serves traditional local dishes for dinner (it's closed for lunch). A free daily breakfast buffet is also served in the restaurant and on the terrace. The selection include standards like cereal, meat, cheese, fresh pastries, good coffee, and make-your-own fresh squeezed orange juice. The hotel's only other common area is a rooftop sundeck with a few loungers, covered in artificial grass.This family run property has a 24-hour front desk. A convenient, free shuttle runs hourly. The shuttle is shared with three other hotels in the vicinity, but guests find it convenient and spacious enough to accommodate everyone. The hotel also has a roomy rooftop parking area. Self-service laundry is available on-site for an extra fee. Wi-Fi is also free, and there's a computer in the lobby for guest use.