The Metropole Hotel in Sorrento is a lovely hotel situated ten minutes walking distance above Sorrento town (20 to the centre). The walk into town is pleasant looking down over the harbour, the local coastline, and red-tiled rooftops of the typical Mediterranean cottages. The walk back isn’t quite as enjoyable especially after a night out! All the more-so because the road has no pavements! It’s not far though and the buses run every half-hour.
The hotel is very pleasant and clean. It has a nice swimming pool area with split-level patio-stoned sunbathing areas. The rooms at the back of the hotel left something to be desired but the front ones are better and have a lovely view over the Bay of Naples to Vesuvius the other side. The staff were excellent and friendly and the food was quite good. Management were warm and helpful.
Sorrento itself is to be thoroughly recommended, singers are often to be found in the bars and street cafes. At night the town seems very romantic. It has narrow, well lit up streets some lined by market type stalls selling all sorts of gifts, brick-a-brack and their famed Lemoncello drink. By day, Versace, Gouchi, Prada and various other less famous shops offer practically everything one could want to buy. I must add that no trip to this part of Italy would be complete without a bus excursion around the Amalfi coastline, a boat trip to Capri and train ride to both Pompeii and Naples.
