Best Positano Hotels [2024 Guide]

Positano, located along Italy's Amalfi Coast, is a gorgeous town famous for its colourful cliffside housed and breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Positano's picturesque atmosphere and Mediterranean beauty attract people from all over the world. The region is well-known for its scenic beaches and rocky coastline that look better in real life than in all the pictures and movies you might have seen. Surrounded by this breathtaking splendour, Positano has a variety of fantastic hotels, ranging from historic houses to cliffside resorts, each offering a distinct mix of luxury and coastal elegance.

Best Hotels in Positano:

Hotel Marincanto

Approaching through the roof-level car park is not the best introduction, but once you have descended in the lift to the principal floor and its big, airy sitting room looking on to the flowery terrace with fabulous views, the charm and the stunning position start to work.

The hotel clings to the cliff face on the outskirts of Positano, with the private beach about 10 minutes' walk away down steps passing several terraces. There are terrific views of both town and sea.

Palest colours or plain white, cream curtains and wooden furniture set the tone. Every detail is executed with taste and flair - the effect is fresh and elegant.

Occasional splashes of colour, for example acid green, or blue-striped fabrics, provide a calm contrast.

Hands-on owners ensure that their staff is always friendly and goes above and beyond for their customers. The relatively small size mean guests genuinely feel looked after, but the service is anything but intrusive.

There is a wellness centre, an infinity pool and gym, and, as well as the main terrace, there are several mini terraces providing peaceful corners to sit back and relax.

The private beach, which only a few Positano hotels can provide, is a significant advantage.

The breakfast buffet offers a wide variety of options. The bar offers light meals, salads and beverages. The Terrazza Celè restaurant serves supper with a modern twist on traditional local foods, emphasising presentation and natural tastes.

Le Sirenuse

It's a legend even on this coast of legends, a classic that is more than the sum of its parts. The owners offer elegance, refinement, and pedigree smarts, as they have done for legions of insiders for decades.

The primary component of the hotel was the aristocratic Sersale family's vacation residence, which has grown over time into numerous contiguous buildings. Four Sersale siblings opened the home to visitors in 1951, with only eight rooms and a big balcony overlooking the sea.

Franco Sersale oversaw a massive renovation of the hotel in the 1990s, he was not just a devoted collector, filling the property with fine furniture and artworks, but also an avid globe traveller and photographer.

Antonio and Carla Sersale, the current owners, collect contemporary art and invite one artist each year to create a site-specific sculpture, including Martin Creed, Stanley Whitney, and Matt Connors.

Most rooms are little yet beautiful. A balcony with a table and chairs overlooking the village houses and the beach. White vaulted rooms with a classic tiled floor, sofa and chairs, and a canopy bed with a feather duvet.

Sersale is Swiss-trained and runs a tight ship, all done with great flair. Names are remembered, and the majority of staff members are locals.
Positano is either an amazingly lovely tumble of pastel-hued houses that wrap around the coastline, or an overpriced nightmare for day-trippers.

However, having a refuge to retire to, such as the Sirenuse, makes it much more pleasant. A 10-minute stroll down Via dei Mulini from the hotel takes you to the beach, which is lined with bars, cafés, and restaurants on the black sand. Positano may serve as a base for touring the other villages along the Amalfi Coast by land or water.

Antique chests of drawers, prints on the walls. Bathrooms with grey-white Carrara marble and Eau d'Italie from Sersale's sister Marina. Beautiful tiny cloth-bound volumes (Steinbeck's piece, a colouring book with mignon pencils, and a book on Franco's Bar); a charming beach basket for your stay.

La Sponda, with its 400 candles and bougainvillea-clad dining room, is one of the coast's best supper venues, both for the ambiance and the food—sea bass with candied lemon, chestnut ravioli with white truffles, and amberjack with grape jam. The light-as-air hot lemon soufflé is an excellent way to conclude.

Eggplant parmigiana with grilled octopus at the bar. Breakfast on Vietri's colourful pottery dishes: creamy buffalo milk yoghurt, handmade granola, and sfogliatelle pastries.

Palazzo Murat

Standing halfway down the steep, pedestrian Via dei Mulini, the position is about as central as it gets, which isn't always a good thing in this tourist-heavy town. Once inside, the magnificent garden serves as a barrier between you and the worst of the congestion.

A short trip down the hill, past boutiques, art galleries, and souvenir stores, leads to the major beach; a short puff-inducing walk in the opposite way goes to the nearest car parks and bus stops for Amalfi, Ravello, and Sorrento.

The original part of this 18th-century palazzo (which was later extended into the garden) was once home to Joachim Murat, king of Naples and Napoleon's brother-in-law, and the place exudes grandeur (but not pomposity), particularly in the vaulted public rooms with antiques and fine paintings.

An beautiful wrought-iron doorway leads to the alluring arched courtyard, which is flowing with bougainvillaea and covered by large white umbrellas.

The competent service is accompanied by a pleasant grin, as is the case with many hotels in the region. The concierge can organise airport transfers and trips to the surrounding region or farther afield (Pompeii, Sorrento, Paestum), a journey down the coast on the hotel's own boat is gratis for all guests.

The courtyard must be one of the most beautiful places in Positano, and the garden, with its tiny pool and views down to the sea, is a tremendous bonus in this congested town. There is a small'spa suite' with massages and a Turkish bath.

The old palazzo's great rooms, decorated with four-posters, antiques, and luxurious textiles, feature towering French windows that lead onto creeper-draped balconies. The King is claimed to have stayed in the 'Special Deluxe' chamber with his many lovers (albeit not all at once).

The rooms in the more recent wing that stretches into the garden are smaller and simpler in design (immaculate white with cool tiled floors, new textiles, and painted furniture), but they are nevertheless pleasant - and much cheaper. Each has a little patio that overlooks the grounds or the town and the sea. It's worth paying for a sea view.

The Al Palazzo restaurant's tables are set under a green pergola; it's a lovely place, especially in the evening, with specialties like tuna and amberjack tartare with guacamole, linguine with lobster, and rack of lamb with red sauce.

Many of the fresh ingredients originate from the hotel's own kitchen garden. The pool serves light meals (salads, a pasta choice or two and burgers), and there is also a bar.

Breakfast, served in the lovely courtyard to a backdrop of birdsong where possible, is a treat and includes fresh local cheeses, smoked salmon and swordfish, countless baked pastries and omelettes, poached eggs, and eggs Benedict prepared to request.

Il San Pietro di Positano

Positano became a celebrity in John Steinbeck's eponymous 1953 short tale, and the tranquil little coastal town has never completely left the popular imagination—nor has Il San Pietro di Positano, one of the island's hottest harbour hops since its inauguration in October 1970.

It's no surprise that the worldwide glitterati come here; the village's steep, narrow stone alleyways and stunningly magnificent blue waters are the stuff of dreams (at least for us).

The 56-room hotel, located on a strip of magnificent cliffside real estate above the Bay of Positano, is a rustic Eden awash with aromatic vegetation and lemon trees.

Exquisitely tiled rooms with vivid linen accents and big windows provide stunning sea views, while whimsical touches such as lamps with imaginative centaur motifs and gilded coffee tables provide a touch of luxury.

Some even have private lifts and Jacuzzi rooms. If you aren't a morning person, you could be converted. After starting your day with a platter of delicious strawberries and a thimble of espresso, take a lift down to a private beach—or request a complementary boat trip around the harbour.

Michelin-starred chef Alois Vanlangenaeker and his 35-strong staff work in a 350-square-metre, cutting-edge kitchen within the hotel. He prepares delicacies like codfish gnocchi with octopus and truffle, John Dory with lemon and buffalo yoghurt, and warm rabbit salad with saffron vinaigrette at gourmet restaurant Zass, where most of the fresh produce comes from the hotel's 10,000-square-metre kitchen garden.

Meals are served on a delightfully lovely sea-facing patio or, for a glimpse of the activity, at the chef's table in the kitchen. For a more casual meal, stroll down to waterside Carlino's for delectable, local specialties like mozzarella cooked on lemon leaves and pasta with courgettes or mussels. Just in time for the 2019 season, a food truck in the shape of an Ape.

The sumptuous breakfast buffet - bowls of fresh, seasonal fruit, freshly squeezed juices, local mozzarella, smoked salmon and rare roast beef, creamy locally made yoghurt, homemade breads and jams - will get you ready for the day, and the bar terrace, with its famous majolica-tiled benches, is an unrivalled spot for a sundowner.

Hotel Villa Franca Positano

Villa Franca presides over Positano from its own small rocky outcrop at the very top of the town; not ideal if you want to be in the middle of things, but it's calmer up here and the views are indisputably breathtaking.

A free shuttle service (minibus or golf cart) will take you down to Piazza dei Mulini and back up. Alternatively, it's a simple 15-minute trek along the winding main road, or there are steep stairwell shortcuts; the return journey is more difficult.

Boutique-y: the style here is traditional Positano (cold white tiles and paintwork, vaulted ceilings, wrought iron balconies) with a clever, contemporary touch. Rosa Taddeo, the current owner, inherited and improved the family company.

Quirky local artwork and colourful ceramics brighten the open-plan living room and bar area, which is equipped with comfortable couches and armchairs and stocked with glossy coffee table literature.

For such a tiny hotel, the amenities are outstanding, including a decent-sized rooftop pool with comfy sunloungers, a small spa, two bars, and a variety of gourmet and informal eateries.

Foodies may take culinary and cocktail-making workshops with the award-winning barman, and excursions of local food and wine producers can be scheduled. The pool terrace provides stunning 360-degree views. There is a lot of attention to detail (complimentary sparkling wine or a refreshing lemonade drink upon arrival, for example), and the well-dressed staff is quite competent.

Bedrooms are decorated in a stylish, classic manner, with sparkling white floor tiles and white paintwork accented with subtle grey, black, and turquoise design elements. The main villa's 28 rooms include terraces or balconies as well as far-reaching vistas; the standards are quite tiny.

Superior rooms and above have iPads, Bang & Olufsen speakers, and Nespresso machines. The 14 apartments in an adjacent annexe are larger but slightly blander; they lack sea views but have access to a nice terraced garden. The marble bathrooms are supplied with large amounts of the citrusy in-house amenities.

The breakfast buffet has fresh fruit and buffalo yoghurt, handmade pastries and breads, organic jams, fresh mozzarella, and eggs cooked to order.

Hotel Le Agavi

Le Agavi Hotel, located on the outskirts of Positano, offers complimentary shuttle service into the town. Guests may stroll to the town centre in 20 to 30 minutes or use the complimentary shuttle, which operates every hour from dawn until late at night.

Unfortunately, it is not available 24/7, and some previous visitors have complained about overcrowded shuttles because they only operate once an hour. Taxis are also available, although they are expensive. Nonetheless, the remote location provides a peaceful environment and breathtaking views. In addition, a local bus stops in front of the home.

There are a few stores and eateries around the motel. Travellers travelling to Positano's port or beach may choose to use the hotel's water taxi service for a charge.

Positano's boat services link with Capri (50 minutes), Amalfi (20 minutes), Salerno (15 minutes), Sorrento (60 minutes), and Ischia (two hours). The nearest rail station is at Sorrento, a 30-minute drive away.

The archaeological landmark of Pompeii is a 50-minute drive away, while Ravello, another major tourist attraction, is about an hour distant by vehicle. Naples International Airport is about an hour away by vehicle, while Rome Fiumicino Airport is around a three-and-a-half-hour journey.

Rooms with different dcor and own sea-view patios. In contrast to the excessive design of the hotel's public spaces, the guest rooms are furnished more simply. Because of annual renovations, some rooms are modern, while others are traditional.

Regardless, the rooms are lovely and decorated in primarily cool tones of blue and white, or tan and white in certain cases. Accents like turquoise couches, ceramic flowers, and locally inspired artwork provide a delightful touch.

On the positive side, all units provide patios with beautiful views, eating tables, and loungers. However, due to the hotels' unusual arrangement, some guests do not have adequate privacy.

Other room facilities include fully equipped minibars, desks, espresso machines, complimentary water, flat-screen TVs, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, as well as closets furnished with bathrobes, sandals, slippers, and safes.

Several apartments have separate living rooms that may accommodate families or small parties. Large shower stalls (some with rainfall showerheads) or shower/tub combinations are standard in decently sized bathrooms, as are bidets, hairdryers, and amenities.

Outdoor swimming pool, private pebble beach, two restaurants, three bars, and free shuttle service.

Guests will never have to leave the resort thanks to the many on-site attractions. A feature and rarity in the region is the private pebble beach, which may be reached by funicular cable car. Despite its tiny size, it is lovely and has an adjacent over-water terrace with cushioned loungers under umbrellas and waiter service. Remmese Restaurant is located behind this building and serves seafood, sandwiches and salads for lunch and evening.

Closer to the top is a wonderful outdoor pool with breathtaking sea views and a picturesque patio dotted with loungers. A daytime bar serving lunch is located next to the pool, and a massage hut may be found up some stairs.

The other restaurant, premium La Serra, is housed in the main structure and boasts a wonderful covered outside patio with lovely views. It offers a complimentary buffet breakfast that includes pastries, made-to-order eggs, smoked salmon, yoghurt, and coffee beverages, as well as light lunches and gourmet dinners.

Room service is provided 24/7. The hotel's three bars provide beverages on the wide patio, along the beach, and beside the pool.

Villa Rosa

Just along the road from the celebrated Sirenuse, and sharing the same views (for a fraction of the price), Villa Rosa sits at the top of a steep flight of steps just outside the pedestrian-only town centre, close to shops and bars, some good restaurants and the bus stop for other towns along the coast.

A sprawling, 19th-century villa built into the cliffside, Villa Rosa is typical Positano in feel: cool, tiled floors, whitewashed walls and vaulted ceilings, uncluttered rooms and a feeling of understated Mediterranean style.

The service here is actually nice, and the personnel are quite helpful, organising car, bike, and boat rentals, scheduling excursions, and providing beach towels for lazy days in the sun.

The sole public place is a sitting room near the reception area. The 20 modest but clean rooms spread across three levels all follow the same theme: sparkling white paintwork and arched ceilings, colourful tiled floors, hand-painted headboards and crisp white covers, and pristine tiled bathrooms.

Each has a patio (some quite large) outfitted with deck chairs or loungers and a table, and all but four offer stunning sea views: the views from the top two stories are absolutely spectacular. Six of the tiled bathrooms have bathtubs, while the rest have showers.

The 20 modest but clean rooms spread across three levels all follow the same theme: sparkling white paintwork and arched ceilings, colourful tiled floors, hand-painted headboards and crisp white covers, and pristine tiled bathrooms.

Each has a patio (some quite large) outfitted with deck chairs or loungers and a table, and all but four offer stunning sea views: the views from the top two stories are absolutely spectacular. Six of the tiled bathrooms have bathtubs, while the rest have showers.

There is no restaurant or even a breakfast area, so espresso and fresh pastries are delivered to your balcony every morning, along with eggs prepared to order (for an additional fee) - hardly a compromise given the views.

Casa Buonocore

Casa Buonocore stands at the top of a long, steep flight of steps (70 of them to be precise, but don’t worry, help with your bags is on hand) just outside the pedestrian area of Positano; the steps effectively create a barrier between the hotel and the seething crowds on the street.

A five-minute wander down narrow Via dei Mulini brings you to the beach (it’s a bit of a slog up again), and there are plenty of restaurants and bars within a short stroll. It is a short walk from the bus stop for Amalfi and Ravello.

The white-washed, family-owned palazzo had been vacant for over 20 years when the current occupants decided to renovate it and operate it as a sophisticated small guest home.

They've done an excellent job filling the rooms with stylish furnishings, clever textiles, gorgeous antique Vietri ceramic tiles, and plenty of personal touches. The greeting is cordial, and the atmosphere is casual; once you climb the stairs, you will feel worlds away from the tourist craziness below.

The absence of standard hotel amenities is compensated for by extremely customised treatment, nothing is too much bother.

For chilly weather, there is a nice sitting room and a well-stocked library, but in warmer weather, you'll probably want to spend your time on the gorgeous Vietri-tiled terrace, which is lighted by lanterns and fragrant with citrus blossoms.

Unlike many B&Bs, there is always a member of staff available if you require assistance.

Breakfast is the only meal available, although it is exceptional (baked cakes and pastries, eggs cooked to order, organic jams and yoghurts) and varies everyday. There is no bar or restaurant, but the staff will provide beverages and snacks upon request. There are several restaurants and bars down the 70 steps.

Hotel Poseidon

The hotel is located on the western slope of Positano, above the lower stretch of Via Pasitea, the town's popular main thoroughfare. A leisurely five-minute stroll downhill leads to Piazza dei Mulini, from which the narrow, tourist-clogged Via dei Mulini runs down past souvenir stores and retailers selling sparkly sandals to the bustling beachside area.

From here, you may take a boat to Naples, Sorrento, or (in the summer) Capri. Positano is located at the western end of the renowned SS163 (The Amalfi Coast Drive), which snakes its gorgeous, winding, traffic-clogged way east past Amalfi town (10 miles/16 km) and towards Salerno (25 miles/40 km); my advise is to do it early in the morning - or by boat. Naples airport is around two hours by driving.

If you like vintage design, you'll enjoy the Poseidon, which is now managed by the daughter and two granddaughters of the original owner, who constructed a private residence here in 1955. Time seems to stand still once you enter the hotel's arched, flower-adorned entryway; it's a cliché, but it's real here.

A wonderful old wooden lift from 1965 (the first to be installed in Positano) trundles to the upper floors, where the original décor and much of the furnishings have been lovingly preserved over the years, but now coexist with 21st-century technology such as fab mattresses, air-conditioning, USB ports, and smart TVs.

It's a nice place, full of memories but not trapped in the past, similar to staying with your really cool grandmother - and the vintage ambiance is authentic. It won't appeal to everyone, but I enjoyed it and thought it was a pleasant, laidback departure from some of the area's oh-so-chic five-star hotels.

The unique selling point here is the individual service. The Aonzo family and their lovely team go to great lengths to ensure that their guests get the most out of their beloved Positano and the entire Amalfi Coast experience, assisting with the often complicated logistics and providing heartfelt advice; guests love it, as evidenced by a repeat rate of around 65 percent.

While there are sitting rooms for milder weather, the hotel's main attraction is the massive terrace, which has a small pool, bar, seating places and a large pergola for shaded dinners. In the morning, it is a sun trap, but in the afternoon and evening, with its loungers and cosy furniture, it transforms into a pleasant area for reading, relaxing, and cooling off.

There is a spa facility with a Turkish bath carved out of the rocks and a choice of massages and treatments. The hotel's classic VW Beetle convertible is free to borrow for romantic rides down the coast road, and staff can arrange boat and helicopter cruises, wine tours, culinary workshops, and other activities.

The 50 bedrooms and suites, each unique (there are 14 room classifications), are spread across four sprawling stories and accessible via a maze of hallways and staircases. At the top are four little 'Funny Rooms' with expansive patios and the greatest views in the house.

Other rooms are much larger, and some of the suites are enormous: all have some form of outdoor area, original tiled flooring, dark wood fittings, vintage furnishings, and Asian carpets against white painting. The mattresses are of the highest quality, and the televisions offer Netflix. Bright, tiled bathrooms (many of which are new) are included with the in-house bath amenities.

In the early evening, guests congregate on low couches and armchairs on the pool and bar terrace for cocktails and snacks while watching the town gradually light up like a Christmas tree, creating a magnificent atmosphere. In the summer, meals are served on a nice covered terrace with views of the town and the sea; it's far more appealing than the indoor dining room, which is vast and very cavernous.

In the early evening, guests congregate on low couches and armchairs on the pool and bar terrace for cocktails and snacks while watching the town gradually light up like a Christmas tree, creating a magnificent atmosphere. In the summer, meals are served on a nice covered terrace with views of the town and the sea; it's far more appealing than the indoor dining room, which is vast and very cavernous.

The Tridente restaurant serves good, unfussy local food with the occasional twist that highlights fresh, seasonal ingredients; from classics like melanzane alla parmigiana and pasta with lobster or sea urchin to more exotic options like monkfish agnolotti, roast lamb with truffle sausage and tofu millefoglie with rocket pesto.

Breakfast is superb, with a variety of sweet and savoury options served on bright Solimena ceramics from Vietri, including smoked salmon, savoury flans, bacon and eggs, omelettes to order, grilled vegetables, baked pastries, and typical Neapolitan sfogliatelle. Over breakfast, you may read a copy of the in-house Poseidon Times, which has information on the weather and what's happening in the neighbourhood each day.

Breakfast is superb, with a variety of sweet and savoury options served on bright Solimena ceramics from Vietri, including smoked salmon, savoury flans, bacon and eggs, omelettes to order, grilled vegetables, baked pastries, and typical Neapolitan sfogliatelle. Over breakfast, you may read a copy of the in-house Poseidon Times, which has information on the weather and what's happening in the neighbourhood each day.

Villa Treville

Villa Treville, the former house of renowned Italian opera and film director Franco Zeffirelli, provides a look into the lives of the wealthy and famous. Every feature at the Amalfi Coast hotel, from the design to the cuisine, has been meticulously planned and exceeds all expectations.

With just 16 rooms, the resort is the height of luxury, including hand painted tiled flooring, one-of-a-kind art, breathtaking views of Positano, and opulent facilities.

Villa Treville is a beautiful boutique hotel. Beyond the stunning environment, it is the service that truly shines out. The staff makes you feel as if your experience is the most important to them.

Dozens of staff members are quietly buzzing around, ready to assist you with any needs. If you have a culinary yearning that is not on the menu, simply ask and the chef will provide it.

If you need a reservation or a plan, they've virtually completed it before you ever asked. The hotel's water taxi will take you to the city core of Positano, which is only around the corner, at any time. The goal of Villa Treville is to make you feel at home and looked after at all times.

The Maestro Zeffirelli Suite, located in Villa Bianca, is the most lavish of the facilities and served as Mr Zeffirelli's living and working area. The suite includes three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, a living room and a dining room. In addition, the apartment features a private plunge pool and multiple private decks.

The main bedroom of this suite still contains some of Mr Zeffirelli's furnishings, including pieces fashioned of Syrian mother-of-pearl and Carrara marble.

Dining at Villa Treville, regardless of the food, is a unique experience. Breakfast is served in the Club Lounge and is included in the price of your stay. Look at the daily offerings on the island bench adjacent to the kitchen and help yourself to anything you choose.

A delicious breakfast is available, including pastries and fresh fruit. However, whether you like eggs, cured meats, or cheese, simply request from your waiter and your favorite breakfast will be delivered immediately.

After breakfast, the selections on the island at the Club Lounge shift to more lunch-related dishes and snacks, which are accessible all day. You are welcome to assist yourselves anytime you are hungry.

Downstairs at Salone Bianca, you'll discover a gorgeous and well-stocked bar, where you're welcome to assist yourself 'at any point' of the day. Wine, prosecco, liqueurs and mixers, as well as fresh juice and water, are all available for guests to serve themselves, everything is free.

Dinner is provided each evening in Maestro's restaurant, where guests may dine al fresco while watching the sun set into the Mediterranean Sea. Fresh fish is served alongside vegetables and herbs cultivated in the hotel's garden, which you pass by on your daily stroll to the shore.

Conclusion

Positano is one of those places you have to visit at least once in your life- although you might want to come back a couple more times and we wouldn’t blame you. The scenery is indescribable and the food is incredible. All these hotels offer a different experience but we assure you that you will always have an amazing stay and the memories you make here will last a lifetime.