Hotel Belvedere

This is the 2nd time we have stayed at this beautiful location. The hotel has old charm combined with modern amenities. Our rooms at private balconies with fantastic views of the Amalfi coast and ocean. The saltwater pool offers relaxation. There is also an option to swim in the Mediterranean Sea on the bottom of the cliff. Breakfast buffet was excellent and service very attentive.

This was the first time my wife and I had stayed in an Italian hotel in an iconic tourist location so any views are based on many hotel stays in other counties around the world and should be viewed in that light . The location is absolutely stunning and the views from almost everywhere in the hotel are as good as it gets. However the hotel falls short in a number of areas which takes the shine off the stay. To start with the good points; location amazing from see views from every bedroom to breakfast on the terrace overlooking the sea with astonishing views of the coast and Amalfi around the headland. The pool is a seawater pool of a good size and is accessible via a lift from the hotel. Also available is a bathing area in the seaa reachable via lots of steps. The hotel itself is fairly old and was obviously grand in its day. Now its a bit tired and is showing its age in the somewhat rundown furniture and the quality of the fixtures and fittings in the rooms. The rooms are of adequate size and all have wonderful views and balconies. Bathrooms are in need of refurbishment and soundproofing between rooms is not up to modern standards. There are lots of very friendly staff some of whom have obviously been working for many years at this family hotel. The breakfast is average and the food in the restaurant for dinner is disappointing. There are lots of silver service frills but the food itself falls short. The hotel runs a shuttle to Amalfi town (approx 10 mins and 4 Euros) but this ceases at around 5pm when a trip back is via local buses (1.3 Euros and 15 mins, approx once or twice an hour). Local roads are very narrow and twisty and local Italian drivers are reminiscent of far eastern scooter drivers but without their road sense and discipline (joke). Restaurants in Amalfi are mixed and we found Positano more welcoming and, away from the touristy beach front, good value and interesting. We would not return to Hotel Belvedere or the Amalfi coast but understand why many people are in love with the scenery and quaintness.

We spent five nights here in a tired hotel much in need of renovation. The location and views are tremendous and the salt water pool is excellent. The food however is poor. While the menus change daily it is clear that cost is a major issue. While the descriptions are enticing the reality is low quality and badly cooked food. if you must stay here do not take half board but rather B&B. Taxis to and from Amalfi are E40 and the Hotel shuttle bus is E4 but why charge at all - the room rates are surely high enough to absorb this. If you want to spend all day in the sun, eat out and don't mind the aging decor this will suit you fine. But if you want value for money and a nice environment you will go elsewhere.