Unlike many of the other best places to visit in Italy, choosing where to stay in Positano rarely trips up travellers. Located on the Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy, the small coastal village of Positano is built on the side of cliff with a large beachfront lined with bars and restaurants.
Even with just one day in Positano, you can experience a ton. The town is small and easily walkable. The top points on interest and the best hotels in Positano fall mostly around areas in Lower Positano, Via Marconi (Amalfi Drive), and Chiesa Nuova.
Don’t know know where to begin? Start searching for the perfect Positano accommodations with this guide to the top hotels & best places to stay in Positano…
Best hotels in Positano: Top places to stay
Hotel Villa Gabrisa
Located in the centre of Positano, Hotel Villa Gabrisa is a four-star hotel with views of the sea from the rooms and the onsite restaurant. Of course, sea views are standard for the best hotels in Positano, as most options face the coast, but this location is closer to the waterfront and has fewer obstacles in the way.
Previously a private villa, the owners recently transformed Villa Gabrisa into a hotel. It only has 12 guest rooms, so booking early is always a good idea. With fewer rooms, the staff can provide a more personalized service. They’re attentive and available to help book private tours or offer directions. You’ll also get breakfast or dinner each day, brought directly to your room.
It’s housed in one of the oldest structures in Positano, but the recent renovations give the location an entirely new look on the inside. The rooms are stylish, spacious, and fully stocked with amenities. The décor includes light colours and pastels while the furniture is mostly handcrafted antiques.
Several of the rooms have their own terrace. You can look out to the sea without leaving your room.
Imperati Suites by Alcione Residence
The décor is a little gaudy, but Imperati Suites by Alcione Residence makes up for the odd atmosphere with a great location. Of course, everyone has their own taste. Some guests consider the unique style charming.
Each room at Imperati Suites by Alcione Residence also has its own balcony. In the evening, you can stare out at the sea and enjoy the fresh air. In the morning, enjoy a continental breakfast. The staff can even deliver the food to your room.
With a limited number of rooms, the staff at Imperati Suites by Alcione Residence give each guest their undivided attention. Hospitality helps this place stand out. The staff is professional and courteous. The hotel is located a short distance from the beaches, shops, and cafes.
The location makes it easier to see some of the sites on your Positano itinerary. You can easily walk to Spiaggia del Fornillo, Positano Port, and other popular attractions.
If you need help finding anything or deciding how to spend your day, ask the staff. They’re always quick to help. Other highlights include a shared lounge with a TV area and a 24-hour concierge service.
Residence Villa Yiara
Housed in an 18th-century building, Villa Yiara is a bed and breakfast with terrace views of the sea.
With only a few hotels in Positano, some of the best places to stay in Positano are the boutique operations with comfortable accommodations and warm breakfasts. This hotel helps you feel at home, catering to your every need.
If you only have a day or two, staying further away shouldn’t pose a problem, as Villa Yiara is still within walking distance of the main sites.
It’s about one kilometre from the beach and a short stroll from numerous cafes and restaurants. The building itself overlooks the bay of Positano, but some of the rooms don’t. It’s important to book early if you want to get a terrace view.
The only drawback is the size of the rooms. Some of the rooms are a little cramped, especially when filled with a queen-sized or king-sized bed. The bathrooms and showers are surprisingly large. Overall, it’s a highly rated hotel with several great features, but the cramped rooms may not appeal to everyone.
Hotel Eden Roc Suites
With pools, a spa, and panoramic viewpoints, Hotel Eden Roc Suites offers many reasons to stay indoors. This top Positano hotel is one of the few options that’s not located in the main part of the village.
Some of the best areas to stay in Positano are away from the town centre, allowing you to get a little more peace and quiet. It’s located near the entrance to the mountainous hiking trails and a short walk from Spiaggia Grande and several other beaches.
The neighbourhood around Hotel Eden Roc Suites has a laid back atmosphere. It’s a fun area to explore, with lots of small shops, restaurants, and cafes that tend to get less foot traffic compared to the locations in the centre of Positano.
When you feel like staying in, the hotel offers several features to make you feel welcome.
In the morning, enjoy a breakfast buffet. In the evenings, try the local cuisine and homemade desserts at the onsite restaurant. Unwind at the end of the night with nightcaps at the American bar. The hotel also offers a gym and a group sun terrace.
Hotel Conca d’Oro
Located near some of the top attractions in Positano, Hotel Conca d’Oro is a top-rated four-star hotel.
Get a better look at the village below from the comfort of a hot tub in a panoramic terrace. The rooms are spacious and well furnished with minimalist décor and modern amenities, including satellite TV and air conditioning. It’s a comfortable place to stay while exploring Positano.
When you’re ready for food, head over to the restaurant inside the Hotel Conca d’Oro. The kitchen specializes in Mediterranean cuisine. Between April and October, the restaurant also serves candlelight meals on the sea-view terrace. Throughout the year, you can also enjoy a cold breakfast buffet with the typical assortment of bagels, breads, and cereals.
In the evening, take your cocktail or drinks on the sun terrace. It’s equipped with loungers and parasols, so you can sit back, sip your drink, and watch the sunset.
If you want to take a dip in the water during the day, the nearest beach is just under one kilometre away and accessible via nearby steps. The steps are a bit steep, so use caution and don’t remove your footwear until you reach the beach.
Villa Principe Giovanni
Set against various ancient buildings, Villa Principe Giovanni is a lovely budget hotel located in the western part of Positano. It’s still only a short walk from the major attractions and surrounded by native plant life, including bougainvillea.
The rooms inside the Villa Principe Giovanni feature private balconies or terraces. Due to the location, the panoramic views from the terraces show off more of the sea with less obstruction from other hotels and resorts in the area. It’s more secluded and a few steps away from some of the best restaurants. This area also tends to attract fewer tourists. You’ll find less loud music and noisy travellers.
This is another bed and breakfast. As Positano doesn’t have a lot of hotels, the B&Bs are often your only option. The prices are often a bit higher, but the staff tends to deliver a personalized touch. You rarely need to wait for help, no matter the issue. Whether you need assistance tracking down lost luggage or help with directions around town, just ask.
Positano Art Hotel Pasitea
With views that overlook the bay of Positano, Positano Art Hotel Pasitea is a modern hotel with several traditional features, including wrought iron furnishings. The eclectic décor makes this a unique choice that may not appeal to everyone. It feels as if you’re staying in someone’s home instead of a boutique-style hotel.
The rooms inside the Positano Art Hotel Pasitea are spacious and come equipped with modern amenities. You’ll get satellite TV with hundreds of channels and a private bathroom. Some of the rooms include sea-view spa baths, so you can watch the sunset as you bathe.
The hotel also has its own wine bar and restaurant. The restaurant kitchen serves a variety of Italian specialties while the wine bar offers a large selection of national flavours. It’s a short walk from the port and other attractions.
If you’re worried about the distance, the hotel staff can arrange a shuttle or help you figure out the bus routes. Fornillo Beach is the nearest destination for swimming, located less than a kilometre away, and surrounded by bars and restaurants.
Villa La Tartana
As one of the top-rated hotels in Positano, Villa La Tartana comes with many features that help it beat out the competition. Enjoy impressive views from the terraces while eating your free continental breakfast or explore the shops and restaurants in the surrounding area. The hotel is right in the centre of Positano, a five-minute walk from Santa Maria Assunta Church.
A seafront hotel, Villa La Tartana also offers access to the beach. You’ll need to walk down an embankment and follow the footpath to the sand, but it’s a short trip. The interiors of the rooms feature elements that represent the region, including turquoise and blue hand-painted ceramics. Some of the rooms also come with a wide range of additional amenities for added comfort, including sofa beds, bidets, and refrigerators.
This is a mid-range hotel with a convenient location and modest accommodations. It’s popular for the sites surrounding it and the friendly staff. Most guests praise the attentiveness of the staff and their overall friendly nature. You can walk to most attractions, including the port and the beaches, without needing transportation.
La Maliosa D’Arienzo
Located almost two kilometres from Positano, La Maliosa D’Arienzo places you further from the action and the noise. It’s a quieter place to stay, surrounded by citrus groves and olives. As with almost every hotel in the area, it offers sea-view terraces and air conditioning. Your room should also come with a minibar, free toiletries, and all the other amenities you need for a pleasant stay.
In the morning, La Maliosa D’Arienzo offers a complimentary breakfast served under a veranda. It’s a relaxing way to start the day. The hospitality is top-notch, with many guests complimenting the friendly staff. Guests also love the rooms with olive-lined terraces that look out onto the bay.
As this hotel is further from the centre of Positano, you’ll likely want to arrange transportation to get around the village. The helpful staff can arrange a scooter, car or boat rental. After exploring Positano, take your rental across the Amalfi coast and check out some of the other villages and towns on the coastline. La Maliosa is about 15 minutes away while it takes about 30 minutes to reach Sorrento.
NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi
Located several kilometres further down the coast, NH Collection Grand Hotel is a clifftop hotel housed inside a converted 13th-century monastery.
It’s one of the most beautiful hotels in the Amalfi region, with balconies that look directly toward Positano in the distance. While it’s not in Positano, the village is only about a 40-minute drive away. Spend your day touring the village and retreat to the comfort of the hotel in the evening.
To help you enjoy your stay, the NH Collection Grand Hotel includes several features, including two onsite restaurants, an infinity pool, and terraces. The rooftop pool has unobstructed views of the Mediterranean. It’s even heated during the winter. The restaurants offer a wide selection of menu items, including many Italian and Mediterranean dishes.
It’s a boutique-style hotel with the most luxurious furnishings. Each room has marble countertops, large bathrooms, and rainfall showers. The hotel also offers a variety of room types, from double beds to suites with sea views and hot tubs. The prices range widely depending on the type of room, as does the number of vacancies leading up to peak travel seasons.
