Sorrento, Grand Hotel Capodimonte Review

Overall Rating

Only one, the view across the Bay of Naples to Vesuvius, if you can see it through the haze of pollution!

Hotel faces north east so no direct sun, is located on a very noisy main road and apart from the staff in reception, everyone else had lost interest. High levels of atmospheric pollution from the traffic and locals burning their refuse.

Our hotel room allocated upon arrival was absolutely horrible, but since it was 10 at night no one could address the problem until the hotel manager came on duty the following day. We were then offered another room that was cold, damp and stuck under a cliff face and any view obscured by trees. We eventually paid a 60 Euro per night supplement for a room that matched the accommodation that First Choice originally advertised. Major complaint to First Choice in hand!

However, I cannot understand how this hotel is rated as five star by our tour operator. Overall we experienced a disregard for what we consider quality standards. The "spectacular trail of pools that cascade down the hill with hydro massage" detailed in their advertising was non-existent; the water was cold and full of leaves from overhanging trees and in no way cascading. The "Fabulous Terrace" was a disgrace following a storm the night before we left. The next day even at 3pm there were still tablecloths blown around and scattered on the ground, ashtrays were full of rainwater and cigarette ends, parasols and chairs that had blown over remained that way. No one seemed to attempt to clear up this mess.
One night the hotel accommodated a wedding reception that totally utilised the larger of the two restaurants. This resulted in us queuing at the remaining restaurant for up to an hour for dinner. Nights were often cold (October) and the rooms offered no heating in fact the air conditioning (that could offer heat) was switched off halfway through our stay.

Sorrento generally exudes decay, filth, litter and decadence everywhere. Public buses were unreliable and many trains smothered in graffiti so much so you couldn't see out of the windows. There were two havens; one inside the cathedral and the other the Isle of Capri.

Sorry, but our first trip to Italy is definitely our last. Rural Spain know how to get it right in our case!

Members' Comments onandrew w's Review

• andrew w on 25th Nov 2007

  Well after a month since complaining, First Choice finally agreed to refund the supplement we paid the hotel to stay in a room we had already paid First Choice for. As a "gesture of compensation" they also offered a £50 voucher to set against our next holiday with them. An absolute insult. First Choice, never again!!