Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

With front row views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, the family-owned Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria resort has an authentic Italian charm with exciting dining options. It’s ideal for exploring the region, with easy access to Pompeii, Capri and Amalfi Coast towns without dealing with nightmarish traffic.

• Leisurely dinners at the seafront Terrazza Bosquet–a Michelin-starred restaurant that offers a seasonal menu with vegetables from the onsite garden
• Relaxing in the lush grounds, either poolside or in one of the shaded garden daybeds
• The historic setting within Sorrento, from antique furniture and opulent design to the thoughtful service, all helmed by fifth-generation owners

The “Grand” in Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is no exaggeration. Arriving through five acres of lush private gardens, the castle-like property hugs the cliffside above the Gulf of Naples. For cinephiles, it’s as if you’ve stepped into an Antonioni or Fellini film. Located in the heart of Sorrento, this hotel is a tranquil home base for exploring the town on foot to discover boutiques, gelato shops and more.

Owned and operated by the Fiorentino family since 1834, the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria celebrates its long history by lining the lobby walls with black and white portraits of the family and past celebrity visitors (including royals, singers and actors). Flanked by large potted plants, the entrance and lobby areas open up to two large fresco-ceilened parlors and views of an expanse of blue.

The 81 guest rooms and suites are enormously spacious, some with a separate living room, complete with luxe décor touches–like a vintage armoire, large writing desk or velvet curtains. The color palette across the property echoes the landscape with neutral creams, calming blues and sages, along with intricate woodwork and lace (nods to the beloved Sorrento handicrafts). Depending on the room category, guests may have a sea view or garden view. Expect large marble bathrooms that are only available in older hotels. Apartments are available for extended stays.

One of the most picturesque corners of the property is the iconic Terraza Vittoria, the back patio with views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Stark white busts are perched on the railing, framing both the ocean and dramatic cliffside. Guests can dine on light bites and snacks (don’t miss the olives, local, of course) along with an extensive cocktail menu, wine list and coffee offerings. The Guido Royale is the hotel’s take on a limoncello spritz, and was invented by Ritz Paris head bartender Colin Field when he visited the property. Named for the current owner, Guido Fiorentino, the cocktail is a mix of prosecco and the property’s bespoke limoncello, finished with carpaccio-sliced lemons from the garden.

A show stopping breakfast buffet is served in the Vittoria Restaurant—a ballroom-like space with frescoed ceilings and authentic 19th century art. Expect a wide range of hot and cold dishes, every pastry imaginable and homemade jams. At L’Orangerie, the poolside bar and restaurant, guests can dine on Mediterranean cuisine among the property’s orange grove for lunch or dinner (an especially atmospheric spot in the evening under twinkling lights). Standouts on the menu include Neapolitan pizzas for lunch and the fish served in salt for dinner. The little ones will enjoy pizza making classes with the chef.

Awarded one Michelin star, Terrazza Bosquet Restaurant has sunset views paired with an inventive seasonal cuisine. The tasting menu focuses on fresh, local produce and a variety of citrus fruits from the hotel's garden. To amp up the romance, stop by La Pergola for Champagne served in a tressiled, secret garden.

Between meals, guests can relax poolside (including a separate kid’s pool and playground), at the spa or sneak in a quick sweat at the gym where one-on-one personal training sessions are available. The 19th Century greenhouse has been converted into Boutique Spa La Serra, a rejuvenating retreat for signature treatments, massages, facials and more.

Sorrento, a fishing town scented with ubiquitous citrus trees, is more relaxed (and authentic) than nearby Amalfi Coast towns, whose “it” factor and iconic hillside beauty have made them a glamorous “must-see” for millions of visitors. Significantly, for anyone who is eager to actually explore the area, Sorrento makes for an easier home base than the famed resorts in Positano and Ravello. Excursions for guests include hikes, day trips to Pompeii (without the twisty, two-hour drive through the mountains from Positano) and chartering the hotel’s yacht for trips to Capri and Amalfi Coast villages (a must-stop: Nerano, famous for the delectable zucchini pasta on Stanely Tucci’s Searching for Italy). Plus, if you love the local Sorrento treats, guests can purchase the hotel’s limoncello, olive oil and ginger marmalade before check-out.

Couples, families or solo travelers looking to slow down and experience an authentic Italian escape in an ultra-luxurious setting–especially those who want to explore the region and avoid the bustling crowds and traffic that’s come to define the more trodden Amalfi Coast towns of Positano, Ravello and Amalfi.

Located an hour's drive from Naples, getting to Sorrento is a true planes-trains-automobiles travel day depending on your itinerary. If Sorrento is your first stop, we recommend flying into Naples International Airport; for travelers already in Italy, there are plenty of train routes into the city or quick domestic flights. For those wanting to reach their slice of paradise a little faster, the hotel is equipped with a helicopter landing space.