Sleeping in Positano
These hotels (but not the hostel) are all on Via Colombo, which leads from the Sponda SITA bus stop down into the village. Prices given are for the highest season (June-Sept) — at other times, they should be at least €10 less per day. Expect to pay more than €20 a day to park.
$$$ Hotel Marincanto is a newly restored four-star hotel with a bright breakfast terrace practically teetering on a cliff (Db-€205, superior sea view Db-€235, suites with seaview balconies-€295–345, large sundeck, private stairs to beach, 50 yards below the Sponda bus stop at Via Colombo 50, tel. 089-875-130, fax 089-875-595, www.marincanto.it, info@marincanto.it).
$$$ Hotel Savoia is family run and rents 39 sizeable, breezy, bright, air-conditioned rooms (viewless Db-€140, Db with view-€200, deluxe Db-€220, at least €10/day off with this book in 2007, Via Colombo 73, tel. 089-875-003, fax 089-811-844, www.savoiapositano.it, info@savoiapositano.it).
$$$ Albergo California has lofty views, spacious rooms (15 of 20 with sea views), and a grand terrace draped with vines (Db-€150 June-Sept, €140 May and Oct, windowless Db-€100 all year, prices promised with this book through 2007, air-con, free parking, Via Colombo 141, tel. 089-875-382, fax 089-812-154, www.hotelcaliforniapositano.it, info@hotelcaliforniapositano.it, Maria, Frank, and Antonio).
$$ Hotel Bougainville rents 14 basic rooms (viewless Db-€95, Db with sea view-€130, breakfast included only with this book in 2007, air-con, some traffic noise and fumes, Via Colombo 25, tel. 089-875-047, www.bougainville.it, hotel@bougainville.it, Carlo, Luisa, and sons).
$ Residence la Tavolozza is an attractive eight-room hotel, warmly run by Celeste (cheh-LEHS-tay), her sisters, and daughter. Flawlessly restored, each room comes with a view, a balcony, fine tile, and silence (Db-€87 promised through 2007 with this book, families can ask for "Royal Apartment," cash only, must call to confirm if arriving late, lavish breakfast extra, air-con, closed Dec–Feb, Via Colombo 10, tel. & fax 089-875-040, celeste.dileva@tiscali.it, a little English spoken).
$ Villa Maria Antonietta is a humble family place with seven decent rooms, all with a view of the back alley and the ocean beyond. Head down a grungy lane off the elegant main drag and then up a few big flights of stairs (Db-€80, more in Aug, cash only; follow signs from Via Colombo 41; tel. 089-875-071, Maria).
$ Brikette Hostel offers your best cheap, dorm-bed option in this otherwise ritzy town. Renting 50 beds and offering a great sun and breakfast terrace, it's bright and clean with the normal hostel rules: 11:00–14:30 lockout, cushy midnight curfew, and checkout by 11:00 (dorm bed-€22, Db-€75, includes breakfast, closed Nov-March, Via G. Marconi 358, leave bus at Chiesa/Bar Internazionale stop and backtrack uphill 500 feet, tel. & fax 089-875-857, www.brikette.com, info@brikette.com, Cristiana is full of energy). She also rents four hotel-style rooms on top (D-€65, one big suite Db-€90, family deals).