The 3 Best Luxury Hotels in Sorrento
Above the Bay of Naples stand 19th-century grand hotels set in their own parks and a design hotel with a pool in a lemon garden. Our travel advisors personally help you decide which of the luxury hotels in Sorrento is perfect for you. Every suitespot booking comes with free breakfast for 2, a room upgrade subject to availability, hotel credit and VIP service – benefits worth over €500.
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The best-known hotels in Sorrento
Which hotel in Sorrento suits you depends on whether you mainly want to swim, eat well or head over to Capri. Below are the best-known hotels in town with location, suitespot score and price per night. If you plan to visit Capri, we recommend the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria: it has private access to the harbour, and the island is about 25 minutes away by boat.
| Hotel | Location | suitespot score | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Hotel Royal | Sorrent | ★ 4.5/5 | 408 € |
| Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria | Vallone dei Mulini | ★ 4.8/5 | 603 € |
| Ara Maris Sorrento | Marina Piccola | ★ 4.5/5 | 393 € |
Your guide to the best luxury hotels in Sorrento
Grand Hotel Royal · SorrentWhich of the best hotels suits you depends on your plans, because the three luxury hotels in Sorrento are very different. If you want to swim without taking a boat, stay at the Grand Hotel Royal: a lift takes you to the hotel’s own bathing platform at the foot of the cliff. Couples will find a design hotel for guests aged ten and over at the Ara Maris Sorrento, with a rooftop bar above the bay. Food lovers and families head to the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, with a Michelin-starred restaurant, a children’s pool and a private park right in town.At no extra cost: booking through suitespot costs the same as booking direct with the hotel – the benefits come on top, free of charge.
Grand hotel or design hotel: what to expect from Sorrento’s luxury hotels
Two of the three hotels are classic grand hotels, the third is all about contemporary design – and you notice it from the moment you walk in.
Ara Maris Sorrento · Marina PiccolaAt the Grand Hotel Royal, the 1898 house has renewed its suites, now with 4K televisions by Bang & Olufsen, and added a new wellness area, La Villetta, with massage rooms. Underfoot are hand-painted majolica floors from Vietri; outside, a park with camellias, orange and lemon trees.
The Ara Maris Sorrento is the counterpoint: a 5-star hotel with a strong focus on design and 49 rooms, where the Milan gallery Orma shows changing contemporary art. Some rooms and suites have their own pool, and guests are welcome from the age of ten.
At the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria you stay in a grand hotel that has belonged to the Fiorentino family since 1834, now in its fifth generation. It has 79 rooms, its private park in the middle of Sorrento covers around two hectares, and a private path takes you down to the harbour.
These luxury hotels in Sorrento have a pool – and all three have a spa
In Sorrento all three hotels have a pool, and each one is set differently: on the cliff, in a lemon garden or in a park.
Ara Maris Sorrento · PoolAt the Grand Hotel Royal, the large pool with Jacuzzi sits on the edge of the tuff cliff, with a sun terrace and sea views; at lunchtime Bellevue next door serves grilled dishes, salads and Neapolitan pizza. If you would rather swim in the sea, the lift takes you down to the private bathing platform, which flies the Blue Flag. Massages are offered in La Villetta, the wellness area.
The Ara Maris Sorrento has two heated pools: one in the lemon and Mediterranean garden with a solarium, open from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm, and an indoor pool in the Thala Spa. There you will also find a Finnish sauna, a Turkish bath and a whirlpool, plus massages, facials and body treatments, daily from 10 am to 7 pm and also as a day spa.
- Breakfast for two, every day
- Room upgrade subject to availability
- Hotel credit, e.g. US$100
- Early check-in and late check-out
- VIP service and personal advice
- Points and status in the hotel programme
At the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, the garden pool with solarium and whirlpool lies in the park, open from 8 am to 6:30 pm and reserved for hotel guests; children have their own pool, with a playground nearby. Right next to it, La Serra Boutique Spa occupies a converted 19th-century greenhouse, open daily from 11 am to 7 pm, with rituals, massages, facials and body treatments.
Sea in the morning, pool in the afternoon
Sorrento has hardly any sandy beach; people swim from platforms at the foot of the cliff. At the Grand Hotel Royal a lift takes you straight to the hotel’s own platform with its Blue Flag, and Beach Club La Marine serves snacks and drinks down there. In the afternoon, head back up to the pool with Jacuzzi on the cliff edge – with a view across the bay.
Dining in Sorrento’s luxury hotels: a Michelin-starred restaurant, terraces above the bay and a rooftop bar
The Michelin-starred restaurant in this selection is on Piazza Tasso. At the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Antonino Montefusco cooks creative Mediterranean food with Campanian roots at Terrazza Bosquet, which holds one Michelin star. Tasting menus, including a plant-based one, are served on the panoramic terrace above the Bay of Naples or in the indoor dining rooms. For something lighter at lunchtime there is L’Orangerie in the garden by the pool, and Terrazza Vittoria serves dinner, aperitifs and drinks in the open air.
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria · DiningAt the Ara Maris Sorrento, executive chef Luigi Lionetti runs the restaurant Cora: local recipes and snacks at lunchtime, and in the evening à la carte or one of the tasting menus “I Classici” and “I Contemporanei”, served indoors or in the garden facing the pool. By the pool itself, Cora Bistrot serves drinks and small plates.
Ara Maris Sorrento · DiningAt the Grand Hotel Royal you dine à la carte in the evening at La Terrasse Royal, with regional and international cooking; breakfast is served in the large dining room Le Relais & I Glicini, which looks out over the park.
- Breakfast for two, every day
- Room upgrade subject to availability
- Hotel credit, e.g. US$100
- Early check-in and late check-out
- VIP service and personal advice
- Points and status in the hotel programme
For the evening, each of the luxury hotels in Sorrento has its own bar. Lumi Sky Lounge on the roof of the Ara Maris Sorrento mixes cocktails and serves gourmet tapas with a view across the bay. At the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria you can sip champagne beneath the centuries-old wisteria pergola of La Pergola champagne bar or order a classic at Vittoria’s Bar. And at the Grand Hotel Royal, the lounge bar Le Caprice, with its hand-painted floor, opens its terrace for sunset, at times with piano music.
Your credit for an evening on the terrace
At the Grand Hotel Royal, the suitespot benefits include a hotel credit of 80 euros for the restaurants I Glicini and La Terrasse Royal. From the Royal Suite and a stay of two nights, a lunch or dinner for two is added. If you want a table at Terrazza Bosquet in the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, it is best to plan it together with your room – our travel advisors are happy to help.
Where to stay in Sorrento: on Piazza Tasso or on Via Correale – the right location for your 5-star hotel
All three hotels are in the centre of Sorrento on the cliff above the bay – what matters is whether you want to be closer to the main square or closer to the sea.
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria · Vallone dei MuliniOn Piazza Tasso, the main square, stands the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, on the cliff above Marina Piccola with views of the bay and Vesuvius. The hotel has private access to the harbour, and Capri is around 25 minutes away by boat. Our recommendation if you are planning boat trips.
On Via Correale, a few steps from the sea, are the other two luxury hotels in Sorrento: the Ara Maris Sorrento at number 15 and the Grand Hotel Royal at number 42. Both look out over the Bay of Naples, and from its park with citrus trees the Grand Hotel Royal also looks towards Vesuvius. Our recommendation for beach days: the Grand Hotel Royal, with its lift down to its own platform.
- Breakfast for two, every day
- Room upgrade subject to availability
- Hotel credit, e.g. US$100
- Early check-in and late check-out
- VIP service and personal advice
- Points and status in the hotel programme
At no extra cost: you pay the same rate as booking direct with the hotel – the suitespot benefits come on top, free of charge.
From Naples-Capodichino airport, a private transfer takes around an hour. The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria arranges one on request, as well as a helicopter transfer to its own landing pad; at the Ara Maris Sorrento, the concierge organises transfers and even boat hire.
Our travel advisors’ insider tip
Factor the journey in from the start: at the Grand Hotel Royal, pick-up from Naples airport or railway station is included from the Junior Suite and a stay of four nights. If you are staying four nights anyway, that settles the transfer question. For shorter stays, our travel advisors will check in advance which transfer suits your dates.
Grand hotels with history and awards: from Wagner and Caruso to a Michelin Key
The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria was founded in 1834 and has belonged to the Fiorentino family ever since. It stands on grounds associated with a Roman villa of the Emperor Augustus, and its guests have included Richard Wagner, Enrico Caruso, Marilyn Monroe, Luciano Pavarotti and Sophia Loren. The hotel is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
The Grand Hotel Royal was built in 1898 as a hotel for the aristocracy, with gala evenings on the terrace above the sea. Between the world wars Italy’s prime minister Francesco Saverio Nitti stayed here; during the war the building was requisitioned, and after the 1980 earthquake it was restored. Today it belongs to the Alberghi Storici d’Italia, the historic hotels of Italy.
The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is recognised twice over: with one Michelin Key – Michelin Keys are awarded to hotels, not restaurants – and with four stars in the Forbes Travel Guide. The Michelin star belongs to Terrazza Bosquet, the restaurant in the same hotel. The Ara Maris Sorrento is part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and a Virtuoso partner.
What a night in a 5-star hotel in Sorrento costs – and what’s included
Prices start at 393 € a night at the Ara Maris Sorrento and go up to 603 € at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria; in between is the Grand Hotel Royal at 408 €.
| Luxury hotel | From | suitespot benefits from | suitespot score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ara Maris Sorrento | 393 € | 1st night | ★ 4.5/5 |
| Grand Hotel Royal | 408 € | 1st night | ★ 4.5/5 |
| Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria | 603 € | 1st night | ★ 4.8/5 |
Included at all three luxury hotels: daily breakfast for two, an upgrade on arrival, and early check-in and late check-out, all subject to availability. The suitespot benefits apply from the first night everywhere.
Hotel credit is worth a closer look. 100 US dollars come with the Ara Maris Sorrento and the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria; at the latter, a further 100 US dollars for the spa are added from the Superior Suite Sea View and a stay of two nights, though not in combination with promotions. The Grand Hotel Royal gives 80 euros for the restaurants I Glicini and La Terrasse Royal. The Ara Maris Sorrento and the Grand Hotel Royal add a welcome gift.
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria · Rooms & suitesExtras with conditions: at the Grand Hotel Royal, a lunch or dinner for two is included from the Royal Suite and two nights, and pick-up from Naples airport or station from the Junior Suite and four nights.
At no extra cost: you pay the same rate as booking direct with the hotel – the suitespot benefits come on top, free of charge.
Points and status can be earned through I Prefer at the Ara Maris Sorrento. The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria belongs to the Leaders Club of The Leading Hotels of the World.
How long to stay: for a 5-star hotel in Sorrento, plan three nights – one for Sorrento itself, one for a boat trip to Capri, one for the coast. Stay four nights in a Junior Suite at the Grand Hotel Royal and the pick-up from Naples comes with it.
The hotels in Sorrento at a glance
What sets the hotels in Sorrento apart – from their opening year to the spa:
| Hotel | Opened | Pool | Spa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Hotel Royal | 1898 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria | 1834 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ara Maris Sorrento | ✓ | ✓ |
Earn points & use your status in Sorrento
Two programmes are represented in Sorrento: I Prefer at the Ara Maris Sorrento and the Leaders Club at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. suitespot books at direct rates, so points and elite nights still count and your status benefits apply. The Grand Hotel Royal is not part of a programme; there the suitespot benefits take centre stage, such as the credit for its restaurants.
| Program | Hotels | Examples in Sorrento |
|---|---|---|
| I Prefer | 1 hotel | Ara Maris Sorrento |
| Leaders Club | 1 hotel | Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria |
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Frequently asked questions about luxury hotels in Sorrento
What does a night in a luxury hotel in Sorrento cost?
Prices start at 393 € at the Ara Maris Sorrento, the Grand Hotel Royal is at 408 €, and at the top end is the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria at 603 €. Breakfast for two is included at all three hotels, and the suitespot benefits apply from the first night.
Which is the most expensive luxury hotel in Sorrento?
The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, with rates from 603 € a night: a grand hotel dating from 1834 on Piazza Tasso, with a private park, a Michelin-starred restaurant, one Michelin Key and four stars in the Forbes Travel Guide.
Which luxury hotels in Sorrento have a pool?
All three. The Grand Hotel Royal has a pool with Jacuzzi on the cliff edge, the Ara Maris Sorrento a heated outdoor pool in the lemon garden and an indoor pool in the spa, and the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria a garden pool with whirlpool plus a children’s pool.
Which luxury hotel in Sorrento has a Michelin-starred restaurant?
The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria: Terrazza Bosquet holds one Michelin star. Antonino Montefusco cooks creative Mediterranean food with Campanian roots and serves tasting menus, including a plant-based one.
Which luxury hotel in Sorrento has a Michelin Key?
The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria holds one Michelin Key and four stars in the Forbes Travel Guide. Michelin Keys are awarded to hotels; the hotel’s Michelin star belongs to its restaurant, Terrazza Bosquet.
Can I earn points at Sorrento’s luxury hotels?
Yes, at the Ara Maris Sorrento through I Prefer, with regular points and status benefits. The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria belongs to the Leaders Club of The Leading Hotels of the World.
Which hotel in Sorrento has its own access to the sea?
The Grand Hotel Royal: a lift takes you to the private bathing platform at the foot of the cliff, which flies the Blue Flag; Beach Club La Marine is down there too. The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria has private access to the harbour, where the boats to Capri leave from.
Where should I stay in Sorrento?
On Piazza Tasso if you want to be on the main square and close to the harbour (our pick: Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria). On Via Correale, a few steps from the sea, if you want to swim (Grand Hotel Royal) or are looking for a design hotel (Ara Maris Sorrento).
Which luxury hotel in Sorrento is good for families?
The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria: it has a children’s pool, a playground nearby and a private park of around two hectares. The Ara Maris Sorrento only welcomes guests aged ten and over.
Which 5-star hotel in Sorrento is best for couples?
The Ara Maris Sorrento: guests are welcome from the age of ten, some rooms and suites have their own pool, and in the evening you head up to Lumi Sky Lounge on the roof, with a view across the bay.
Is a transfer from Naples included?
At the Grand Hotel Royal, with conditions: pick-up from Naples airport or railway station is included from the Junior Suite and a stay of four nights. The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria arranges private transfers from Naples-Capodichino on request; the drive takes around an hour.
Which is the best luxury hotel in Sorrento?
There is no fixed ranking – the best hotel is the one that suits your trip. If you want to swim without taking a boat, stay at the Grand Hotel Royal, with its lift down to its own bathing platform. Food lovers and families are well placed at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria on Piazza Tasso, with a Michelin-starred restaurant, a children’s pool and a private park. Couples will find a design hotel for guests aged ten and over at the Ara Maris Sorrento, with a rooftop bar above the bay. Our travel advisors will gladly help you choose among the luxury hotels in Sorrento in person.
How do I find the right 5-star hotel in Sorrento?
It depends on your plans: for boat trips to Capri, stay on Piazza Tasso close to the harbour; for beach days, on Via Correale, a few steps from the sea. If you are looking for a design hotel with a pool in a lemon garden, the Ara Maris Sorrento is a 5-star hotel in the Lusso category for guests aged ten and over. Our travel advisors will gladly help you choose in person.
