Grand Hotel President

Grand Hotel President is a four-star hotel at Via Colle Parisi 4, on the hillside west of Sorrento's centre in the Campania region of Italy. The hotel sits above the town, so the outlook takes in the Gulf of Naples, Vesuvius and the rooftops of Sorrento, and the quiet setting makes a contrast with the busy streets around Piazza Tasso. Because the property is on the hill rather than in the centre, the hotel runs a free shuttle bus to the town centre, which covers the main practical concern about the location, and it also offers parking, a rarity for visitors who arrive by car on the peninsula. The architecture is that of a large, traditional Italian resort hotel built in terraces, with a garden and sun terraces around the pool. The panoramic swimming pool and solarium are the centrepiece, with sweeping views of the gulf, and a lounge bar serves drinks nearby. Rooms are offered as Double Rooms, Sea-view Rooms, Family Rooms and Suites, so there is a choice for couples and for families, and sea-view rooms have balconies facing the bay. The restaurant has views across the Gulf of Naples and serves Italian and Campanian dishes, including seafood and local specialities, while breakfast is a buffet. A beauty centre and gym offer treatments and exercise facilities. The service is friendly and relaxed, suited to leisure travellers, couples, families and tour groups, and the staff can advise on excursions to Capri, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast. Rates start from about EUR 120 per night, one of the more affordable options in the four-star category, and the price level reflects the hillside location. Guests who rely on public transport should check the timing of the shuttle, because evening returns from the centre may require a taxi. The hotel is popular with visitors who value views, a pool and parking more than a walk-out-the-door location.