Hotel Continental

Our stay was wonderful. Our room was very well appointed. The view from our balcony looking over the ocean and Mt. Vesuvius was spectacular. We found the front desk most helpful and were very kind. We loved going upstairs for happy hour to enjoy the sunset from top. There were wonderful appetizers as well. But get there early. The only minor complant was the flowers that were surrounding each balcony although beautiful, does not allow the person sitting on the chairs to see out. Perhaps higher chairs would be better.

I'll lead with the service!! The daytime staff (ALL OF THEM, in every area/situation) are incredible! They thoroughly understand 5 star customer service! They are always friendly,smiling, helpful and never expecting anything in return This is especially shocking considering every other customer service in Sorrento (I'll elaborate later). They are very helpful with offering advice (even in other areas, such as our next journey to Napoli!). The breakfast is amazing! A Pianist playing, staff well dressed and friendly. A huge spread and variety of food. The gym is alright. Enough equipment to get by. The pool is fantastic! Tons of seats and loungers and rarely busy! The rooftop lounge has the most incredible views, as does the restaurant! The restaurant isn't cheap but worth it. You get all sorts of little extras (champagne, breads, 5 mini desserts, a petite aperitif). We got away with a bottle of water, beer, 2 pastas for about 50 euros. Service was top notch! So romantic! I can imagine how many proposals are there! We stayed in the cheapest room (inner view, 2 twins) at 240 euros or so a night. It was small. 2 adults with 2 23kg bags and carryons took some sideways squeezing. If you can push budget to get bigger, you'll probably want to. The beds weren't great. Old spring mattress that sagged in the middle. This brings up one area of improvement: overnight service. This is not like the elite chains (hilton, marriot) that you expect. The night staff (I assume anytime after 21:00), can't help you. I believe he's there for emergencies. He said he could do nothing about the beds or getting a kettle. If you have a problem, make sure you present it during the day! The other issue (which I believe would be an easy fix that would put this hotel on par with the global elites), is dragging furniture. The housekeeping begins around 09:30 (although one day as early as 08:00),and you can hear them dragging furniture to clean. Don't expect to sleep in. I believe of they added slip pads to the bottom of furniture this problem would be resolved! The doors also have no buffer so slam against the door frame automatically. This also did not help for quiet tranquility If they added a cushioned buffer, it would make a large difference. The ocean beach is also a little decieving. Yes, you are granted access to the "private oceanside beach club), but it's not that simple. You must ask for a pass at the front desk, then take the smallest old elevator (240kg, 3 person max) on a 1 minute journey underground. You then walk through a long cave tunnel to a gate where you are buzzed through. You arrive at the beach area and it's very busy. The small beach area you can use for free (if you put your towel in dirt, assuming you can find a space), is overrun with local children and families. I believe they get free access. When you present your ticket to the Leonelli's club office, she'll give you a yellow wristband. No one else on the entire beach wears one! On day 2 we stuffed ours in our bags. Loungers are 12 euros each for the day and will not allow more than one person to share. If you don't each rent one, you're banished to the back rows on the beach. Chairs are 10 euros and renting a beach towel is 3 (bring your own! Despite what the hotel says, just don't bring their towels). Once we paid the ocean was nice but the sneaky costs left an unpleasant feeling. This is what you get in Sorrento, and it was the only money grab we experienced in the hotel. Sorrento in general is nothing but scams and money grabs. If you don't drop hundreds of dollars, expect to feel very unwelcomed. Common scams are just pouring bottled water and charging you for it. Frequently the bottled water is a restaurant brand bottle not sealed (and 4 euros each). As well as giving you bread and charging you for it,and asking for tips (Italy doesn't tip and it's frequently already added to the bill). We felt constantly hounded by shop merchants or restaurant staff and even mocked (when they learned we are not fluent in Italian). Sorrento is a beautiful areas but a tourist trap If you keep a thick skin and expect to be hated or viewed as a pay cheque and don't take it personally you'll be fine. Thankfully our hotel was the exception to the rule in this!

My youngest daughtee got married in Sorrento this week and we had 3 rooms at the Hotel Continental. I had a street view double with balcony and some sea view and simply loved it. Lovely decor, kept immaculately clean, and breakfast.... wow. I have food allergies and never left hungry