The southern Italian town of Sorrento sits perched on a cliff with views across the Bay of Naples towards Mount Vesuvius. It is known for its rich history and its maze of narrow streets, traditional restaurants and charming piazzas. In Greek mythology, it was home to the sirens, who attracted passing sailors onto the rocks — and it continues to lure visitors in today.
The area is also known for its citrus fruit and huge lemon-bearing trees, and The Hilton Sorrento Palace is the perfect place to see them as it is surrounded by groves.
Where?
The Hilton Sorrento Palace is nestled in the hills with sweeping views across the bay, and is just a short walk from the heart of the historic town. It instantly transports you into a romantic picture-postcard scene.
A palette of colours, ranging from the deep blue sea to the beautiful pink blooms, fills the panoramic view from your balcony. Vesuvius, most famous for the 79 AD eruption which destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, casts an imposing silhouette against the skyline.
Style?
The recently renovated Hilton Sorrento offers 344 stylish and contemporary rooms. The impressive double glass-fronted doors and deceptively sprawling palatial entrance lead into the lobby. And within just a hundred metres of the reception area is the terrace-restaurant where you’re greeted by the breathtaking sight of Vesuvius, which is close by — but not *that* close.
Which room?
Being a family of four we opted for two adjoining rooms. Both equal in size, there was no final dash for the larger room once the doors were open. The renovation was incredibly high-spec, with pretty much everything available at the touch of a button.
The only thing the room lacked was an iron, but just two floors below ours was the “ironing room” — though it was as hot as the Italian sun, so be sure to make your visit a fleeting one.
The room was spacious and comfortable, with a walk-in wardrobe and large bathroom. The balcony faced the Naples coastline on one side and the rolling hills of the Sorrento countryside on the other. Just below as you gazed out from your room, were the acres of lemon and orange groves.
The interlinking outdoor pools provided the children and adults alike with hours of fun (until your inflatable deflates) and there was certainly no rush for sunbeds at any time of the day even though the pool area has strict operating hours.
Food & drink
The hotel offers the best of local cuisine, with fruit and vegetables handpicked from their own gardens. You can chose to either dine at the indoor Sorrento il Ristorante that promises traditional Italian cuisine infused with "flavour and passion”, or watch the sunset as the singer stylishly croons everything from Frank Sinatra to Taylor Swift at La Terrazza Lounge Bar — situated on the outdoor terrace. With everything from traditional Italian pasta dishes to meat and fish dishes, every tastebud is catered for.
There’s also L’Agrumeto, a barbeque and pizza restaurant which can be accessed by winding your way through thousands of beautifully positioned fairly lights. Relax and take in every moment as the citrus aromas swirl around under the light winds blowing in from across the bay.
If you’re after less traditional fare, then head to the terrace at the top of the hotel as this is the setting for the new J Contemporary Japanese restaurant.
Extracurricular
Just an hour from the hotel is the ancient village of Pompeii — which was buried under the rubble and ash from the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius. A short bus ride away is Vesuvius itself — still an active volcano to this day. The trail to the summit is 2.5 miles and should take a maximum of two hours, but it could be a bit of a challenge due to the steep terrain. Make the effort and you’ll certainly reap the rewards with panoramic views of the Bay of Naples and the surrounding rolling landscape.
If you need your slice of traditional Italy, then just 30 mins in a taxi or an hour on the bus (and the much cheaper option) then head to the charming and picturesque town of Positano. You’ll have to jostle your way through the streets elbowing tourists and Instagrammers alike, fighting for the perfect picture in front of the iconic beach umbrellas. But it's well worth it.
Details
The family-friendly hotel will suit broods and couples alike looking for a relaxing getaway, and it’s just a two-and-a-half-hour flight from London.
