262460 Tue Mar 04 15:15:21 -0800 2003 38 26 International 0 1386784 Has anyone ever stayed or visited the Antica Torre Tornabuoni hotel in Florence? I stumbled across their website, but have yet to find a guidebook or website which as reviews of the place. The rooms look great, but would be interested in any comments of visitors who have actually been. Also, my fiancee and I are trying to decide between Le Sirenuse and the Albergo Miramare in Positano. A room at Sirenuse with a "partial sea view" is 517 euros, whereas Miramare's best room (#210) is 290 euros, which apparently has a very nice balcony and a picture window in the bath. I've read all the raves of Sirenuse, but is it really worth the price? Any insights would be appreciated. We'll be in Positano in late October at the very end of our honeymoon. Tue Mar 04 15:15:21 -0800 2003 0 dthinny 1 1386785 As far as Positano goes, Le Sireneuse is I am told very good. Never heard of the other option. But as long as you are considering Sireneuse, perhaps you should also check the San Pietro. Very nice and worth the (high) cost. Alternately, you might check a very nice hotel on nearby Capri, the name of which escapes me at the moment but which I am informed is very luxurious. This is, after all, your honeymoon. Tue Mar 04 15:52:51 -0800 2003 1386784 0 mc michael 1 1386790 I have stayed at the Miramare and it is lovely. The rooms are spacious and nicely appointed and the bathrooms are great. There is a very nice terrace for breakfast. You won't go wrong with it. Still, La Sireneuse and the San Pietro are world class hotels, super luxurious and very well regarded. For your honeymoon, it might be worth the extra. On Capri, the Quisisana is the most famous place, but La Scalinatella is also terrific - smaller and less kitschy, too. There is also a reputedly spectacular place with a spa in Anacapri - I think it's called the Palace, but could be wrong. Tue Mar 04 16:33:23 -0800 2003 1386784 0 Jeremy M 2 1386800 Thanks for the suggestions. Despite the costs and weak dollar, we may bite the bullet on this one and go luxe. The problem with justifying costs because of a honeymoon is that every adds up very quickly, especially in Italy! We'll eat at the cheap recs posted around here, and will report accordingly. BTW, here is the link for the Antica Torre Tornabuoni in Florence if anyone has info. Link: http://www.tornabuoni1.com Tue Mar 04 18:54:52 -0800 2003 1386790 0 dthinny 1 1386791 We took day trips to the Amalfi coast while based in Sorrento. My own opinion is that Positano, while pretty, is a tiny town of little interest. Not that different from a beach town in California. And I would be very suspicious of that partial sea view. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Excelsior in Sorrento, and the views across the bay of Naples to Mt. Vesuvius are unforgettable, infinitely better than Positano. The hotel has a lot of charm, and prices are in the same range. You're also closer to Capri, Pompeii, Naples, etc. Capri, with its soaring cliffs dropping to the sea, is also breathtaking, and maybe the best choice for a honeymoon. Dump Positano. Tue Mar 04 16:42:40 -0800 2003 1386784 0 Mark 2 1386792 I must wholeheartedly disagree about dumping Positano, especially for a honeymoon. It is simply the most spectacular town and scenery I have ever seen. I was there last November while I was staying in Sorrento at the Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. While much smaller, Positano is a much more interesting, romantic and charming town. October should be a great time of year theree. In fact, I'm going back myself at the very beginning of November and staying at the Hotel San Pietro, which is spectacularly situated just outside of town. The food, by the way is wonderful. Link: http://www.ilsanpietro.it/tipo_eng.html Tue Mar 04 17:01:44 -0800 2003 1386791 0 docsconz 2 1386813 "is a tiny town of little interest. Not that different from a beach town in California" except that it's far more genuine, far prettier and the food is a million times better than in California but, apart from these three very minor assets you are right, it is a town of little interest. Wed Mar 05 04:47:54 -0800 2003 1386791 0 peter pumkino 3 1386818 As far as genuine, well, I do remember a goodly number of t-shirt shops, in fact, the town exists only for tourism. As for the rest, hey, don't knock California beach towns, they're beautiful and have great food. Maybe you should chill out and let people express their opinions. Obviously, I'm in the minority on this one, and whoever posted the question can weigh up the responses and decide whose advise to take. The subject matter isn't important enough to get personal over. Wed Mar 05 11:33:52 -0800 2003 1386813 0 Mark 4 1386836 I did not make it personal but I did feel that you were extremely negative and I didn't want the honeymoon couple to miss out on THE perfect place because of your misguided comment, is all. As for food, I've been to many Californian beach towns and you are VERY misguided if you honestly believe the food in California is better. The food in quantity possibly, the food in variety possibly, but in quality? Never in a million years. But, as I said, you can have your opinion but you have no right to dissuade people from a magical place thus depriving them from having a perfect honeymoon, no one has that right. Wed Mar 05 18:24:20 -0800 2003 1386818 0 peter pumkino 5 1386904 Sorry to jump in late here, but I without equivocation and probably more feeling, agree with Mark. I have stayed in Positano twice and found it to be among the most touristy places that I have visited in Europe, lots of schlocky shops, a number of overpriced tourist traps, and one of the few places I have been in Italy (the other being Venice) where I constantly felt like I was being treated like a shill. It is also extremely congested (which I acknowledge might not mean a whit to many people, but does not appeal to me). As mentioned somewhere else on this thread, a short 30-40 mile drive could easily take hours. An evening drive to Sorrento for dinner once took me over two hours. Having said that, I can see why others like it. The layout of the town is unusual, renting a boat is great, the towns around it are lovely as is the view of the ocean from almost every spot in town and there are great walks to take. A perfect example of differing opinions is that the american couple I went to Positano with on my last (and I mean last!) trip, loved it. It was their first time to Italy, they love the ocean, they thought food which I found mediocre, was great, they didnt mind the crowds or the fact that the only beach with available space was a "pay" beach set aside for the wealthier italians and tourists, etc. Mon Mar 10 11:01:09 -0800 2003 1386836 0 TJ 6 1386909 Opposing opinions are important. I would never recommend Positano in July, August, or even early September. Although you didn't say, it sounds as though you were there at a busy time. But, in October, honeymooners should have the place to themselves. I doubt anyone will be swimming much, but on a sunny day you can certainly lounge about and get a restful tan. There are plenty of local eateries uptown that are divine if you care to walk. Positano is a whole different experience in October. Simply fantastic! The same is true for Venice. Never go to Venice in late June, July or August. But, Venice is divine at the end of September, October, and even early November if you beat the rain. I loved Venice in February, post Carnivale, when it hit a beautiful, sunny 68 degrees. The Zattere featured several locals taking siesta on the benches. Simply wonderful. Late April and May can also be magical in Venice. So, everyone's experience depends upon everyone's experience. The point is, do it all, at least once, and enjoy! Mon Mar 10 13:56:07 -0800 2003 1386904 0 NYC Food Snob 6 1386922 Most beaches in nice areas of Italy are 'pay' beaches and it can ruin the view from the promenade (witness Alassio)but what can you do? That's Italy! The only bad food you get anywhere in Italy (including Positano) is where non-Italians go. Don't go where the Concierge tells you, go where the local people tell you. Wed Mar 12 07:21:22 -0800 2003 1386904 0 peterpumkino 3 1386907 Do they have date shakes in Positano? R. Mon Mar 10 11:31:21 -0800 2003 1386813 0 Ramon 2 1386814 Sorry to post again but I realised that unless I made the title an eye-catcher you may miss the message and thus miss out on a fabulous visit. I cannot think of anywhere nicer than Positano for a honeymoon. It's perfect. Whilst the Pietro IS a fantastic place it's outside of Positano whereas staying in a hotel IN Positano is great because you can have a few glasses of champagne and then immediately retreat. Please.......Go. I have a real problem with people who knock wonderful places because they are incapable of enjoying them themselves. I used to tour guide in Florida and very occassionally a client would tell everybody that Disney World was not worth going to and not to go! Whatever your personal thoughts on Disney it IS the #1 tourist attraction in the World and for good reason. Positano is also wonderful and nothing in California comes close for a honeymooon. Wed Mar 05 05:00:49 -0800 2003 1386791 0 peter pumkino 3 1386817 I was not knocking Positano, but expressing my opinion as to which places are more desirable. Perhaps you have a problem with that. Wed Mar 05 10:47:56 -0800 2003 1386814 0 Mark 4 1386819 Boys, boys, boys! Put away your swords, please. The Italians love everybody (well, almost) and we should take our lead from them. Positano is a resort and should be visited with much relaxtion (sex) in mind, which makes it perfect for a honeymoon. It has nowhere near the intensity of Rome, Florence, or even Naples. If you want art, rich history, shopping and museums, visit any Italian big city. But, for romance, I'll take Positano any sun-filled day. The views are really spectacular (especially in October) and there are wonderful side trips to be taken (boat and car) if you feel like adventure. Beware: if you rent a car, the Amalfi coast is not for the faint of heart. I love California, too, (lived there once) but how can anyone compare the people, the culture, and the life experience? Well, you can't! I know several hard-to-please couples who spent their honeymoons at either the Sirenuse or San Pietro and LOVED it! I also have dear friends who stay at the San Pietro every September (that's how I know about the regulars getting the best rooms. They've done the drill and won!). Go, go, go and experience the sensual delights of the Italian coastline. Wed Mar 05 12:46:12 -0800 2003 1386817 0 NYC Food Snob 5 1386906 What's wrong with having sex in Sorrento? Oh yeah, food...sorry chowhound guys...um...you can have a great time researching the local shellfish and Campanian wines too. R. Mon Mar 10 11:28:11 -0800 2003 1386819 0 Ramon 2 1386927 I agree. My husband and I visited Sorrento, Pompei, Positano, Amalfi, etc. last September. We, too, agonized as to where to "base" ourselves. Our friends were urging us to stay in Positano and we opted to stay in Sorrento at the Excelsior. What a perfect choice. The hotel is wonderful and the location terrific. You can't go wrong with this location; in fact, the boat you take to Capri is docked at the base of the Hotel Excelsior--perfect. Thu Mar 13 14:37:09 -0800 2003 1386791 0 Linda from Boston 1 1386802 Darling, If it's for your honeymoon, splurge, splurge, splurge! You've picked the best time of year and the most romantic place, Italy. The Tournabuoni is divine, my favorite on the outskirts of Florence and perfect for a honeymoon. The views are spectacular and the place has grande charm. Travel & Leisure had a piece on it in the past five years. Check the T&L archives. San Pietro is great, too, but you won't get the best rooms because they're reserved for regulars. You'll get better treatment being a newcomer at Le Sirenuse and save a couple of bucks. Sirenuse is really, really charming and the area is delightful. You won't regret being there. Be sure to eat dinner at San Pietro and visit Pompeii. Tue Mar 04 19:17:17 -0800 2003 1386784 0 NYC Food Snob 2 1386805 Good gracious, I thought you meant Torre Bellosguardo. I'm so sorry. (Old age, you know.) I wouldn't recommend the Tournabuoni. For a special honeymoon in the city center, I could only recommend the Helvetia e Bristol or the Grande. Or, even the Principe. You can find much more charming accomodations than the Tournabuoni. Tue Mar 04 21:52:31 -0800 2003 1386802 0 NYC Food Snob 3 1386821 Can you tell more about the Antica Torre Tornabuoni? What's bad about it? It seems like a relatively new hotel, since I haven't found guidebooks or websites with a review. Also, do you know what the "partial sea view" at Le Sirenuse means? I have no trouble splurging if I feel it's worth the value. I'd like find out what kind of room 517 euros a night gets me. Thanks. Wed Mar 05 13:36:33 -0800 2003 1386805 0 dthinny 4 1386823 In my experience, "partial sea view" means that if you lean all the way out the window into the alleyway and crane your neck, you'll catch a glimpse of something shiny and blue. Wed Mar 05 14:24:34 -0800 2003 1386821 0 GG Mora 4 1386825 My experience with Italian descriptions, especially with the many reputable places, is most are honest. They really want you to be happy and go home happy. Deception is no way to win a loyal following and they know this. They also know that American tourists are the first to complain. Many of the most charming hotels have loyal visitors, who get first dibs on the "hot" rooms. And, why shouldn't they? Florence is full of mediocre hotels, new and old, with little to no charm. I haven't stayed at the Tournabuoni but I checked their web site and it looks typical. (Who can afford to build a new hotel with real glamour these days?) It's easy to expect charm on this street but that's the catch. One needs an experienced recommendation from a veteran source to find a magical room in a grand Florence hotel. It's taken me over a decade to create my list and it was costly and painstaking. Money is a factor, of course. If you want charm on a budget, I'd suggest looking into KarenBrownGuides.com I love the Italian boutique hotel experience and I've checked out most of her recommendations personally and find she's right on target. However, if you're willing to put up the cash, you probably won't be disappointed with any of my suggestions for the city center. Helvetia e Bristol is first class, with genuine designer style, if just a bit old world, my favorite. Plus, it's a great place for people watching. Celebrities from all over the world stay here and for good reason, they appreciate the glamour and style. If style is not your strong suit and swimming with the beauties of the world isn't important to you, research the smaller boutique offerings. Florence is such an intimate city that staying in a small, charming hotel makes sense. Your visit could be so much more magical. No matter what, I strongly recommend you write the hotel manager and let him know you'll be spending your honeymoon with them and you would like the most charming room you can get. Think about getting your letter translated into excellent Italian and send both versions. Fed Ex the letters ($30) after you get the manager's name by calling the hotel first. Most Italians are Catholic and their respect for love, marriage, and women remains high. Chances are you'll get lucky and get their finest room. As for Le Sirenuse, upgrade to a full sea view. You won't be sorry. My motto, you only live once! Good luck. Wed Mar 05 15:11:02 -0800 2003 1386821 0 NYC Food Snob 5 1386923 FWIW: Here's another ringing endorsement of the Swiss-owned Helvetia e Bristol. Stayed there for five weeks with a toddler in tow (and quite pregnant with the next one) and the elegant ambience and solicitous staff could not have been more wonderful. The heavy wooden shutters in our spacious room's tall windows swung closed every afternoon for us as we collapsed into down comfortors for our nap after a full morning and midday meal in Florence and environs. My husband and I would then take turns (while the baby slept) getting a luscious pastry from a local cafe and bringing it back to the room for a snack before once again heading out to partake of Florentine wonders. We dined frequently at the nearby Campidoglio restaurant, where the staff came to know us by name and always had a special treat or two for our little guy. (No highchairs though, anywhere in central Florence. In fact, little kids were rarer than hens teeth, and so ours got way too much attention.) Wed Mar 12 10:53:39 -0800 2003 1386825 0 jackie martino 1 1386827 I have visited the Antica Torre Tornabuoni Uno, a relatively new hotel on the corner of the Lungarno and Via Tornabuoni. The rooms are very nice--good size and stylish furniture. There is a very nice roof terrace and the views are spectacular. You enter through the lobby of an office building; sometimes you may have trouble finding the right elevator. The owner and staff are welcoming but it is not really a full service hotel, so if you are expecting a lot of attention from the staff, you might stay elsewhere. The client I sent there last year liked it very much but mentioned the minimal service; she also stayed at the Lungarno for two nights. Jim Zurer Great Travels Inc. http://www.great-travels.com Wed Mar 05 16:14:13 -0800 2003 1386784 0 Jim Zurer 1 1386829 As far as Positano goes, I have a suggestion on another place to stay which is a bed & breakfast. I stayed at a place called Villa Rosa. All rooms have a true view of the Mediterranean (not 'partial'). The rooms are spacious and their terraces are larger than most European hotel rooms! For breakfast, we had our coffee and pastries delivered right to our private terrace. It's a beautiful place. Check out the web site below for pictures and prices. Link: http://www.villarosapositano.it/welcomeuk.htm Wed Mar 05 16:42:26 -0800 2003 1386784 0 Diane 1 1386832 My husband and I stayed at Le Sirenuse last September for four nights and loved it. I was hesitant because frankly, my room had no ocean view! I booked too late (I booked in February 2002 for a September 2002 stay!) and couldn't get a room with a view. So, I tried and tried to get upgraded, but no one cancelled and we were stuck, but as soon as my husband saw Le Sirenuse, he declared that he wasn't leaving for four days because it was just so beautiful. Here are some of the amenities that we enjoyed while at Le Sirenuse: Gorgeous pool (I heard there are only two hotels with pools in the town of Positano) overlooking the Meditterranean and the town of Positano, complimentary private boat ride on their refurbished antique fishing boat, wonderful concierge service, private walk way to the beach, awesome spa with incredible massages and facials, free DVDs and DVD players in every room, etc. There are so many beautiful public areas with terraces everywhere! You can get a gorgeous view just by stepping outside your room and standing at the terrace. As for Positano, the area near the beach and near the main walkways are very touristy, but if you care to walk a bit up higher, you'll find charming little stores and restaurants with "real Italians" shopping and going about their lives. Just don't spend too much time hanging out at Chez Black on the waterfront, you'll begin to think that Italy is an English speaking country! My friends spent their honeymoon at San Pietro and their only complaint was that they always had to flag a water taxi to go anywhere, whereas Le Sirenuse is right in the middle of town. Please feel free to ask specific questions if you wish! Wed Mar 05 17:30:40 -0800 2003 1386784 0 villagechow 2 1386833 My friends spent their honeymoon at San Pietro and their only complaint was that they always had to flag a water taxi to go anywhere, whereas Le Sirenuse is right in the middle of town.>> OTOH, when you're at the San Pietro, the question is why would you want to go anywhere else, other than perhaps Pompeii? Wed Mar 05 17:41:38 -0800 2003 1386832 0 mc michael 2 1386834 Thanks. This is very helpful. Any chance that the boat will still be running when we are there in late October? I assume the pool might also be out of commission by then. We will not have a car in Positano. (I've read the threads about the trecherous driving and the nightmare parking situations.) I assume Le Sirenuse can arrange transportation to Pompeii, Ravello, and others. Any idea how easy this was, and about how much? Thanks. Wed Mar 05 17:56:30 -0800 2003 1386832 0 dthinny 3 1386839 The boat will probably still be going but you might not for example be able to get near the Blue Grotto. As for drivers/tour guides, the concierge at the hotel should be able to work this out. Why not email or fax him or her for details? Wed Mar 05 18:53:59 -0800 2003 1386834 0 mc michael 3 1386858 I'm not sure if the boat will still be running then. You should probably ask the hotel. As for transportation, it is very easy to arrange with the hotel, but I think you can get cheaper rates if you go through an agency in town. It can be quite expensive i.e. a 5 hour trip to Ravello (and it will take five hours due to travel time & waiting time) was over 300 euros (I think). We did not rent a car. We had car service from Naples train station to Le Sirenuse (100 euros) and then just hung out in town (day trip to Capri etc). If we go back I might be tempted to rent a car as Le Sirenuse has their own parking area. Or once I got into town I would rent a moped (that may sound crazy) but it looks really fun! Also, to go short (but unwalkable) distances, it is easy to arrange for a taxi pickup. The hotel will just call a taxi for you and they can also arrange for pickup as well. Thu Mar 06 14:16:57 -0800 2003 1386834 0 villagechow 3 1386867 If "by the boat" you mean the ferry from Sorrento to Capri it will still be running depending on the weather. Thu Mar 06 17:48:05 -0800 2003 1386834 0 docsconz 4 1386910 I was referring to the private boat owned by Le Sirenuse which takes their hotel guests out on 3 hour private boat rides. It only takes a maximum of 8-10 people. Mon Mar 10 16:14:44 -0800 2003 1386867 0 villagechow 5 1386925 I was at the Sirenuse the first week of October, 2002, and by that point the complimentary boat had stopped operating. I believe it stops at the end of September. As for the car service - We hired a driver to take us up the Amalfi Coast. It was wonderful. The outfitted driver came in a 2003 Mercedes, played Bocelli on the CD player, and took us to all the photogenic spots. The hotel can arrange this for you. I think the cost was around $40-$50 per hour Wed Mar 12 14:44:54 -0800 2003 1386910 0 David P 3 1386947 My husband and I stayed at Le Sireneuse last November and had a fantastic time. The hotel is gorgeous - the pool was still open in November but the water taxi was no longer running. The hotel restaurant was great - wonderful food, gorgeous view and impeccable service. In Florence we stayed at the Hotel degli Orafi - right on the Arno. It was a perfect location and very nice hotel. http://www.hoteldegliorafi.it/ Our travel agent had found it and we were very happy with it. Mon Mar 31 15:29:48 -0800 2003 1386834 0 RRS 1 1386838 In Florence, I really liked the Hotel Lungarno - we had a supremely romantic room with a balcony overlooking the river, and the location - right next to the Ponte Vecchia, steps away from everywhere. It was cheaper than the H&B as I recall, but we really enjoyed the style, the service and the buffet breakfasts, as well as nestling on a couch in the lounge looking out at the Arno during one of the many rainstorms that plagued our October trip. You must insist on a balcony room, though. Wed Mar 05 18:46:46 -0800 2003 1386784 0 Elaine(snutteplutten) 1 1386844 Check out www.venere.com for hotel listings in Italy (and most of Europe). I used this site while traveling in Italy a few years ago and it worked marvelously for my needs. They seem to have added a ton of hotels to their listing and provide links with detailed information and photos. Cheers. Link: http://www.venere.com/ Wed Mar 05 23:15:10 -0800 2003 1386784 0 Eric Eto 2 1386891 Can second that rec. Venere works very well. Fri Mar 07 15:13:13 -0800 2003 1386844 0 Elaine(snutteplutten) 1 1386905 I stayed in the Miramare last June. The room I had (which wasnt their best one)was quite large, sparsely furnished, had a tremendous view from a fantastic balcony (you felt like you were hovering above the water) and a window in the shower. The downsiders were that there was no carpeting or insulation so you could hear any noise in the hallway and many noises from other rooms. However, I was in an adjoining section, and the rooms in the main building might not have that issue. I would recommend the Albergo Miramare for a trip, but I think maybe it lacked that "wow" feeling for a honeymoon. It didnt strike me as gluttonous or self-indulgent in the same way that many people like their honeymoon palaces to be. Mon Mar 10 11:05:17 -0800 2003 1386784 0 TJ