Stepping up the cliffs overlooking the azure waters of the Mediterranean, Positano has been a holiday destination for millennia. From Roman Emperors to sixties rock stars, Positano has always attracted the rich and famous with its dazzling beach, its lush gardens, and its exotic rooms above quiet cobbled squares, where old men play endless games of backgammon and sip Limoncello. With accommodation ranging from five star hotels to intimate B&Bs, where white wrought iron furniture sits on perfect balconies overlooking the town, Positano provides a stellar set of options for every budget. From the terracotta-tiled terrace of your luxury hotel you can watch the cloud shadows play over the billowing hills behind Positano, or swim in a pool seemingly suspended in thin air. The town’s streets switch-back down through the rows of pastel-painted houses to its tiny strip of beach where white and yellow fishing boats are drawn up on the sand. Its restaurants are perfectly placed to watch the sun setting over the wine-dark sea every evening. Check out our selection of Positano hotels and holiday like a rock star…or a Roman, on the Amalfi Coast.
Rating: 8.7
The luxurious Hotel Santa Caterina is an Art Nouveau villa built on a rock overlooking the stunning Amalfi coast. It’s a short 0.5 km stroll from Amalfi Harbour and within walking distance to many popular attractions and sights, such as Amalfi Cathedral and Luna Convento Franciscan Convent. What’s more, you’ll find five beaches within 2 km, including Lido Delle Sirene Beach.
All rooms and suites at Santa Caterina feature gorgeous Vietri majolica floors and private balconies. The Executive Junior Suite has a giant jacuzzi-style bath, but the honeymoon suite is the winner here. It features an outdoor hot tub and private pool, offering the ultimate romantic experience for couples.
Santa Caterina is home to the Michelin awarded fine-dining restaurant, Glicine, with a menu of innovative local recipes. You’ll also find Restaurant Al Mare situated on a sea view terrace, specialising in fresh seafood and pizza. Then, at the beach club, you’ll find Il Grottino Bar, which is ideal for cocktails by the pool during the day and romantic candle-lit drinks at night.
Santa Caterina has a private beach club with a heated saltwater pool and plenty of comfy sun loungers to catch a tan. What’s more, the hotel has a wellness spa with a sauna, Turkish bath. You’ll surely be impressed by their extensive menu of massage, facial, and body treatments. However, the signature treatment is the Lemon Massage, which uses locally-sourced lemon oil to rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul.
Rating: 8.7
The cliffside 5-star Parco Dei Principi hotel is designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti and boasts a unique setting, surrounded by a 3-hectare botanical park. Located 1 km from Sorrento, the report offers undisrupted views of the Gulf of Naples. It also makes for easy access to Amalfi and Positano, which is a 40-minute drive away.
All rooms are spacious, bright and airy and feature the hotel’s iconic blue and white decor with mosaic bathrooms and park or sea views. Plus, any have private balconies or terraces with sun loungers and outdoor dining areas.
The hotel has two restaurants; the Gio Ponti restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner, and Poggio Siracusa, on the private beach deck, serving beachside lunch and drinks. You’ll also find the stylish Blu Bar, with ceramic pebbled walls, an extensive cocktail list and a fully stocked bar.
At Parco Dei Principi, you can make use of the saltwater swimming pool, wander through the botanical gardens and relax on the private beach that you can access via a tunnel. You can also use the 24-hour gym or book a massage at the onsite wellness centre.
Rating: 8.7
What’s unique about this luxury hotel is that it was once an ancient 13th-century monastery! However, while the site may be historical, this hilltop hotel is full of modern amenities. The Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi is located in the centre of Amalfi, a 40-minute drive from Positano. Furthermore, you’ll find a vast array of restaurants, bars and shops within a 5 minutes walk.
All the rooms here ooze elegance with terracotta floors and marble bathrooms. Each room has a beautiful sea view, and the ensuite bathrooms feature a rainfall shower and bathtub. However, you’ll surely fall in love with the Junior Suite with a spacious private terrace and outdoor hot tub, which is undoubtedly the hotel’s most exclusive room.
The hotel has two first-class restaurants, including the upscale Dei Cappuccini, serving gourmet Italian and Mediterranean delights. Then there’s the informal La Locanda restaurant, perfect for a relaxed al fresco lunch.
Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi is home to one of the best infinity pools in the area, a fully-equipped gym and a spa with a Turkish bath. In addition, the hotel offers services to meet your every need, including laundry and dry cleaning, concierge services and a business centre.
Rating: 8.7
This boutique luxe hotel nestled in the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast is an inviting sanctuary for a relaxing Positano vacation. From the hotel, you can take the glass elevator down to the stunning Gavitella Beach or take a few steps along the road to arrive at the San Gennaro Church. As well as being close to Positano’s highlights, the hotel also organises tailor-made tours via a private boat.
Many of Casa Angelina’s bright and airy rooms feature sea views, Nespresso machines, and private balconies with sunbeds. Plus, all rooms boast an elegant, minimalist style and feature modern amenities such as an iPad and touch panel room control.
You’ll find two restaurants onsite, including the fine dining Un Piano Nel Cielo with top-floor views and gourmet tasting menus. Then, there’s the poolside restaurant, Seascape, for casual all-day bites and drinks. In the evening, enjoy the relaxed vibe and chilled music at the Seascape Cocktail Bar.
At Casa Angelina, you’ll enjoy the outdoor pool and private beach club. The hotel also has many wellness facilities, including a heated indoor pool, sauna and gym. In addition, you can book a massage treatment, treat yourself to a complete spa package or join the sunset yoga class.
Rating: 8.7
The cliff top Villa Treville offers one of the most luxurious hotel experiences in Positano. It features elevator access to a private beach and a private boat transfer to Positano town should you not fancy the short 15-minute scenic walk. Located atop a breathtaking cliff with incredible panoramic views, this hotel feels secluded and private, perfect for the ultimate relaxation getaway.
All of the rooms have seating areas, Nespresso coffee machines, seafront balconies, and unique decor. The ensuite bathrooms have either an elegant bathtub or a modern rain shower. However, the 2-bedroom terrace suite is the main attraction, with a private heated plunge pool outside.
The Club Lounge offers all day breakfast, and the hotel’s main restaurant, Maestro’s, focuses on simple yet delicious traditional fare using the freshest local produce. Here you’ll find seasonal pasta dishes, mouthwatering seafood, and a vast menu of premium Italian wines. Check out Salone Bianca, too, for evening cocktails in an elegant setting.
Aside from the private beach, you can enjoy the lush gardens that surround the villa, as well as the plunge pools, jacuzzis and onsite gym. The hotel also offers yacht charters and limousine services, so you cruise around the coast in the utmost style and comfort.
Rating: 8.7
The seafront luxury hotel, Covo Dei Saraceni on Positano Spiaggia, provides a tranquil environment to unwind in style. Aside from 5 beaches less than 1km from the hotel, you’ll be within walking distance to all Postanos attractions like the Roman Archeological Museum. Plus, the hotel is close to the town’s primary bus stops to access the rest of the Amalfi Coast.
Every room here features a balcony with beach views, and the suites include a jacuzzi spa bath. However, if you’re looking to indulge, you’ll love the Superior Suites. These luxurious rooms come complete with a private outdoor saltwater pool with ocean vistas on the extra-large terrace.
The hotel’s alfresco Covo restaurant dishes up fragrant Mediterranian cuisine, including many local delights. Here you will also find the informal but high-quality brasserie serving the best pizza in Positano. You’ll surely love the pool bar, too, for convenient poolside cocktails, plus check out the wine cellar that stocks a wide selection of the country’s finest wines.
Covo Dei Saraceni has two outdoor swimming pools, including an infinity pool and the larger main pool, surrounded by plenty of comfy sun loungers. In addition, the hotel can arrange various activities and excursions as well as cooking classes. Plus, they offer laundry, coiffeur, and even personal shopping services.
Rating: 8.7
This gorgeous 5-star hotel sits on the San Pietro Beach and is a short walk from various stunning Positano beaches, including Arienzo, Fiumicello, and La Porta. Il San Pietro is ideal for those looking for a laid-back beach getaway in one of the most beautiful European destinations. The hotel is also conveniently located to the town’s top attractions, such as Path of the Gods, Church of Santa Maria Assunta, and Mulini Square.
All rooms at II San Pietro come with splendid sea views, a private terrace, and stylish Nautical decor. You’ll also find indoor and outdoor seating areas, a desk, and comforts like bathrobes and slippers. Opt for one of the suites that include a separate lounge room, marble bathroom, and extra spacious terrace for extra luxury.
II San Pietro boasts the Michelin-starred restaurant Zass, where the food is just as impressive as the panoramic views. All dishes here feature ingredients from the hotel’s organic vegetable garden or local growers for the freshest, tastiest food in town. Other dining and drinking options at San Pietro include the laid-back beachfront Carlino restaurant, Terrace bar, and L’Alcova bar.
While here, you can enjoy the private beach, large swimming pool, tennis court and outdoor fitness area. If you’re looking for maximum relaxation, join the complimentary yoga classes and book a treatment at the onsite spa, too.
Rating: 8.7
Le Sirenuse is a luxury hotel with a unique history. It’s still owned by the family of its founder from Naples. An ancestor of theirs was an archbishop there in the 18th century and almost became pope. Another relative became mayor of nearby Positano in 1944 with the family opening the hotel in 1951.
The hotel’s design matches this eclectic history. A family member spent 30 years perusing auction catalogues to find antique furniture or art for Le Sirenuse. Some items are local 17th and 18th century Italian. Others come from the North African Moors and some of the rugs come from central Asia.
Each night, the hotel staff spend an hour lighting the many candles as the Mediterranean light fades. The La Sponda Restaurant offers seasonal food and spellbinding views of the Amalfi homes nestled into the cliffs. There’s also a cocktail bar and seafood grill out on the terrace.
North, on the way to Naples, you can find Pompeii and Herculaneum, destroyed by Vesuvius two thousand years ago. If you’re keen on photography, then there’s a reason you can find a million photos of the Amalfi coast. Or you could head inland to the Monti Picentini Regional Park.
Rating: 8.7
Hotel Villa Franca has incredible views over the Mediterranean. This luxury hotel was founded in the traditional fishing village Positano in the early 1940s by Giuseppe Rosso. It continues the tradition of holidaying here begun by two Roman emperors, Augustus and Tiberius, about two thousand years ago.
Giuseppe’s children, Mario and Franca, had Hotel Villa Franca refurbished in Mediterranean and Persian styles, but with contemporary art and design. Mario and Franca’s aim is to use these local styles to make guests feel as welcome in their hotel as they would feel in their local home.
The pool, Gold Sky Terrace champagne bar and grill, and O’ro Sky Terrace and cocktail bar are great places to relax and enjoy the view. A multi-Michelin star chef ensures that the Li Galli Restaurant offers the best contemporary food blended with Campanian tradition. You can always head to the hotel’s gym tomorrow.
Hotel Villa Franca offers guided trips of Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii along with a range of other experiences. But if you want to roam by yourself, the concierges are a great source of local knowledge. They can offer advice on renting a yacht or travelling by land down the Amalfi coast and beyond.
Rating: 8.7
Hotel Le Agavi is nestled into the cliffs of a mountain (The Monti Lattari range) to offer guests of this luxury hotel incredible, panoramic views of the bay and the Mediterranean. This area was once a holiday retreat for Roman emperors, so you’re following in fine tradition.
Spread out over five levels and built using local stone, Hotel Le Agavi offers a clean and thoroughly modern design. The hotel’s attractive rooms are presented in a traditional Mediterranean colour scheme of white and blue. Each room is also tastefully complemented by a combination of 19th century and contemporary pieces.
There are meeting rooms if you need to work. Once work is done, you can enjoy food prepared by a local chef. You can also pamper yourself in the spa or walk down to the private beach and take a swim in the Mediterranean.
No matter whether you’re taking a walk in the mountains or enjoying a relaxing drive, this is the perfect place from which to explore the Amalfi coast. You could even rent one of the hotel’s boats to enjoy the Mediterranean. Naples is within driving distance north, past Pompeii and Vesuvius. Salerno is within driving distance east.
Once you’ve booked your luxe hotel in Positano, it’s time to plan your relaxing Italian break in this picturesque cliffside village. As a well-known holiday destination on the Amalfi Coast, you won’t be short of things to do and see in Positano. Here are eight highlights of this colourful beach town.
Upon arriving in Positano, familiarise yourself with the seaside village by taking a wander around. The long winding roads lined with colourful houses make Positano the perfect walking city, and there are cute boutique stores, ceramic shops, and art galleries around every turn. Plus, as some of the streets are pretty steep, taking a morning stroll is an excellent way to build up your appetite for all that delicious Italian food to come!
The Emerald Grotto is one of the most magnificent nature spots along the Amalfi Coast. It’s a naturally-formed cave full of seawater and is just a 20-minute drive from Positano. When the sunlight seeps through, the water glistens an Emerald colour, and the light spreads magical reflections up the walls of the cave. You can drive to the cave or book a private charter to take you there via sea. However, once you arrive at the entrance, you’ll have to board one of the small rowboats there to go inside.
The Amalfi Coast is home to many beautiful vineyards and wineries offering tours, tastings, and lunch. Marisa Cuomo in Furore is one of the most famous ones and is just a 50-minute drive from Positano in a unique cliffside location. Here you can try their renowned Fior d’Uva, the only white wine in the region fermented in wooden barrels. Alternatively, Tramonti is a mountain town located about 90 minutes from Positano. There are several vineyards and vineyards here, making for the perfect vineyard-hopping day.
Positano has one of the best coastal walks in Italy, thanks to the 4-mile long Path Of The Gods. This coastal trail gives splendid views over the coast and as far out as Capri island. And don’t worry, it’s a gentle and easy-to-follow trail that ends in Nocelle. Here, you can catch a taxi or public bus back to your luxury hotel in Positano to rest your sore feet.
For an unforgettable experience, book a private charter yacht from Positano to sail you around the Amalfi Coast in total comfort and privacy. Then, stop off at the chic island of Capri. Here you can visit the Villa San Michele and have lunch in Piazzetta di Capri. Don’t leave without a shopping spree in Via Camerelle, where you’ll find top designer labels, such as Dior, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton.
Positano is full of incredible restaurants but for the most authentic dishes in a breathtaking hilltop setting, head to La Tagliata. This traditional, rugged-style restaurant has three terraces that give expansive views of the ocean and the islands of Galli and Capri.
Rada is one of Positano’s most high-end establishments, consisting of a restaurant, rooftop bar, and nightclub. Rada restaurant is built into the cliffside, so you feel like you’re eating on the sea. The prestigious rooftop bar is above, and the club is deep inside the cave below. This hip venue is ideal for a romantic dinner, sophisticated sunset cocktails, dancing the night away in a quirky cave-like club, or all three of the above!