Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, Italy, a Michelin Key One-Key property, consistently receives rave reviews for its timeless elegance, exceptional service, and breathtaking location. Guests frequently describe their stays as unforgettable and luxurious.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria garners an overwhelmingly positive sentiment, with many guests rating it as "exceptional" and among the best hotels they have ever experienced. It has been recognized as the number one resort in Italy and the seventh-best resort in Europe by Travel + Leisure's 2024 World's Best Awards. The hotel is often described as a "true Grand Hotel in the old style" that successfully blends old-world charm with modern luxury.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the hotel's phenomenal location, stunning views, impeccable service, and beautiful grounds.

• Location: Situated high on a cliff overlooking the Bay of Naples and separated from the bustling Piazza Tasso by orange groves, the hotel offers an "unbeatable location and view." Its central position allows for easy access to Sorrento's main square and an elevator provides direct access to the port for ferry departures to places like Capri.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel, comprising three 19th-century villas, has retained its original character with opulent frescoes, sweeping staircases, marbled floors, and high ceilings. Recent renovations (completed in early 2024) have ensured it doesn't feel dated, maintaining a classic Italian luxury aesthetic. The extensive Mediterranean gardens, filled with lemon and olive trees, offer a serene oasis.
• Amenities: Highlights include a large outdoor swimming pool with a hydromassage area, a lavish spa (Boutique Spa La Serra) set in a 19th-century greenhouse, a fitness center, and complimentary Wi-Fi. There's also a smaller, kid-friendly pool and a playground.

3. Room Quality

The rooms are a testament to the hotel's historic grandeur, individually decorated with rich fabrics, antique furniture, and hand-selected artwork. No two rooms are exactly alike due to the historic nature of the buildings. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and luxurious marble bathrooms often equipped with clawfoot tubs and hotel-branded toiletries. Many rooms boast balconies overlooking either the beautiful Mediterranean gardens or the breathtaking Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Notable are the one-of-a-kind suites dedicated to illustrious past guests like Enrico Caruso (complete with his piano) and Princess Margaret.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a diverse and high-quality dining experience across its several restaurants and bars.

• Breakfast: The opulent breakfast, served in the frescoed Vittoria room, is consistently praised as "sumptuous" and "amazing." It features a varied sweet and savory buffet with local treats like sfogliatella and torta caprese, accompanied by live piano music and stunning bay views.
• Restaurants:
  • Terrazza Bosquet: The hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant, offering exquisite dishes with stunning bay views, often accompanied by a small orchestra in the warmer months.
  • L'Orangerie: A poolside restaurant ideal for more casual Italian fare like pizzas, pastas, and drinks.
  • Vittoria Dining Room: Provides a traditional 19th-century elegant dining experience.
  • Terrazza Vittoria: An elegant bar with sea views, perfect for enjoying cocktails like an Aperol Spritz while watching the sunset, often with live piano music.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is frequently highlighted as exceptional, attentive, friendly, and of the "highest order." Guests often feel like they are welcomed into a family home, with staff remembering names and anticipating needs. The concierges are noted for going above and beyond to arrange local experiences, from boat trips to Capri to artisan workshops. The Fiorentino family, who have owned and operated the hotel since 1834 across five generations, often mingle with guests, contributing to the welcoming atmosphere.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel boasts a prime location in the heart of Sorrento, atop a cliff with panoramic views of the Bay of Naples. Its entrance is directly off Sorrento's main square, Piazza Tasso. A private elevator transports guests down to the harbor, providing convenient access to ferries for excursions to Capri, Naples, and Ischia, as well as boat hires for exploring the coastline. This central yet secluded location makes it an ideal base for exploring Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and other regional attractions.

7. Value & Pricing

The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is considered a luxury property, and its pricing reflects this. While some guests acknowledge it as an expensive hotel, many affirm that the experience, service, location, and overall quality make it "worth the higher price tag" and a "great experience." Room rates can be around $630 per night, with suites potentially costing significantly more (e.g., approximately $2,600/night for a sea view suite). Many guests are repeat visitors, some returning for decades, underscoring the perceived value and lasting appeal.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor points of criticism have been occasionally noted:

• Cost: The high price point is sometimes mentioned, although often qualified by guests finding it justified by the exceptional experience.
• Room Allocation/Pricing Discrepancies: A few guests have reported minor issues with room allocations or pricing discrepancies.
• Accessibility: Due to the historic nature of the building, there are no ADA-compliant rooms, although the hotel is working towards greater sustainability, including reducing single-use plastics and using renewable energy.
• In-room amenities: One review mentioned kettles are not provided in rooms, though they are available on request.
• Cocktails: One guest felt that while the wine selection was excellent, cocktails were "more of a miss."

Sources

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