For 125 years, the Grand Hotel Royal in Sorrento, Italy has been a fixture for travelers. Built in 1897 as a gathering place for European aristocrats, the hotel has persevered through two world wars, economic changes, and an earthquake. It provides guests with a refined and comfortable place to relax on the Gulf of Naples, enjoy the majesty of the Amalfi Coast, and visit the unique sites of Campania. This five-star hotel has been designated as one of the Historic Hotels of Italy and continues to upgrade its facilities to meet the needs of an international clientele.

Location

The Grand Hotel Royal is located high on a cliff several hundred feet above the Gulf of Naples. The view is spectacular. Mount Vesuvius towers over the gulf to the east, the city of Naples sparkles to the north, and the Isle of Capri rises out of the water to the west. The hotel is perfectly situated in Sorrento since it is just a five-minute walk along the Via Correale cliffside road to the main square known as the Piazza Tasso and to the town’s restaurants and shops. The property is surrounded by gardens featuring palm trees, lemon trees and walkways which provide privacy and separation from the world.

At the same time, the region’s exciting sites are readily accessible from the hotel. The Sorrento terminal where ferries stop throughout the day to transport people around the region can be reached by walking down the hill from the Piazza Tosso or riding a public shuttle. The ferries not only visit Capri and Naples, they also stop frequently at Positano, Amalfi and Ravello so passengers can view the entire Amalfi Coast from sea level or get off to visit these picturesque locations. Meanwhile, the comfortable Circumvesuviana train which has stops close to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplantis, and downtown Naples terminates at the Sorrento station close to the hotel.

Design and Rooms

The architecture and furnishings of the Grand Hotel Royal reflect the hotel’s 19th century charm. The hotel describes its design as follows: “The entrance hall features traditional, classic style decor, with comfortable sofas, chairs and antique carpets, finely inlaid furniture, refined marble staircases, Murano crystal chandeliers and classy furnishings…. The interiors continue to maintain the elegance of the past with original pieces of antique inlay wood furniture from Sorrento.” The public areas of the hotel are open and welcoming with ample places to talk, read or lounge around without feeling stifled.

There are 101 guest rooms and suites in the hotel. When we visited several years ago, the deluxe room we selected had traditional but not antiquated furnishings with bright accoutrements, ample lighting, modern air conditioning and bathroom facilities, a balcony. Guest rooms average three hundred square feet in size and have space for relaxing, working and changing. Most rooms look out on the gardens or across the property to the Gulf, but a few rooms are in accessory buildings or less attractive interior spaces. The hotel’s suites which range from 430 to 700 square feet in size were upgraded in 2017 with bright pastel furnishings and new bathrooms. Room amenities include specialty bedding, free wi-fi, flat screen TVs and designer toiletries. 

Amenities

The hotel takes full advantage of its location by providing four special amenities. First, at the top of cliff there is a large pool with a fully equipped sundeck and a jacuzzi. Guests may enjoy a drink or lunch at the Bellevue Pool Bar and Restaurant on the adjoining terrace overlooking the gulf. Both areas are nicely shaded and quite relaxing to visit after a day of touring. Second, the hotel recently added wellness and fitness facilities. Guests can get massages and limited spa services at the La Villetta massage center or work out on “Technogym” equipment. Third, the hotel has a private beach reached by descending from the top of the cliff to a waterfront platform by elevator to use lounge chairs with umbrellas or swim off the platform. Finally, the hotel partners with a car service company based in Sorrento to offer private transportation services to a wide range of locations and arranges private guided tours to area sites.

Dining

When it comes to food, you really cannot go wrong in Sorrento as every café and family restaurant has excellent selections at affordable prices. The hotel is well known for its free breakfast buffet served in a cheerful veranda with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the garden area. In addition to made to order eggs, there is an extensive continental spread of breads, meats, fruit, juices, and other drinks to help start the day off right. Dinner is served in the formal Le Relais & Glicini Room which offers international cuisine, gourmet pastas and local seafood. For relaxation, the Bar Caprice is open for afternoon tea and drinks with occasional piano music. 

Summary

Unlike most other western countries, Italy has few hotel properties operated or franchised by international hotel chains. The Grand Hotel Royal is owned by Manniello Boutique Hotels which operates four hotels in the Sorrento area including the five-star Grand Hotel Ambasciatori located down the street. The Grand Hotel Royal is a solid selection for couples or families with older children seeking modern accommodations and enough amenities to satisfy discerning guests. It is ideally situated to meet the needs of visitors making a short visit to Sorrento or taking an extended tour of the Naples area.