Pros

  • Within walking distance of the beach and restaurants
  • Stylish rooms with minibars and marble bathrooms; some have balconies
  • Rooftop pool with comfy loungers and a poolside eatery
  • Small spa offers treatments, massages, and fitness area
  • Rooftop restaurant with panoramic views
  • Three bars, with ocean views or light bites
  • Free breakfast buffet and room service available
  • Valet parking and free shuttle bus to beaches
  • Free Wi-Fi and a public computer for guests' use
  • High-quality boutique store on-site
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Cons

  • Beach is a 10-minute walk away
  • Steep walk back from beach (shuttle available)
  • Bothersome noise possible due to thin walls
  • Spotty Wi-Fi connection
  • Pool is small
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Bottom Line

The 38-room Hotel Villa Franca is a four-pearl property scenically set on a cliff in Positano, within walking distance of restaurants and shops. From the pool to the restaurant to guest rooms' balconies, the hotel takes great advantage of its stunning views of the sea and village. There are a few bars on-site, as well as a lovely spa, plus breakfast is included in rates. The pool is small, but its scenic rooftop location affords beautiful views of the surroundings. Rooms feature stylish white and beige decor, and are outfitted with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and marble bathrooms. The nearest beach is about a 10-minute walk away, but the way back is uphill -- though guests can also make use of the hotel's free beach shuttle. Travelers might want to compare rates with Covo Dei Saraceni, which has a beachside location. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Villa Franca

Scene

Upscale hotel with classy, Mediterranean-influenced interiors

With a whitewashed exterior accented by blue tiles and wrought-iron balconies, Hotel Villa Franca is about as Mediterranean as it gets. Built in 1940 as a hotel, it hosted some of the first English travelers to southern Italy, as well as many Allied and American troops in WWII. The hotel underwent a huge modernization in 1990 and was partially renovated in the winter of 2015-2016. It will begin the second half of its refurbishment at the end of 2016. Today, the hotel remains in the hands of the third generation of the original owner. 

Interiors are classy, with a predominately white-and-blue color scheme, arched ceilings, Vietri tiled floors, and watercolor paintings by local artists. Its superb cliffside location means that stunning views of the sea and village are a constant backdrop. The hotel is geared toward couples on romantic getaways, many of whom can be found sharing champagne or wine in the restaurant or bar in the evenings. 

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Location

Cliffside location in Positano, a walk to the beach and near restaurants and shops 

Hotel Villa Franca has a fantastic cliffside location in Positano, with stunning views of the sea and surroundings. This charming seaside village is best suited for those on a relaxing getaway. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the closest beach, but it's a hike back up many steps to the hotel -- though a free beach shuttle is provided. There are lots of restaurants and shops within walking distance. Positano is a great base for exploring the Amalfi coast, and the towns of Amalfi and Ravello are 50 minutes and an hour away by car, respectively. Other attractions include Pompeii, which is an hour's drive from here, and Mount Vesuvius, which is an hour-and-a-half away by car. Sorrento is about a 45-minute drive, while Naples and its airport is about an hour-and-a-half by car.

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Rooms

Stylish rooms with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and marble bathrooms

The rooms at Hotel Villa Franca have a bright, Mediterranean aesthetic, done almost entirely in white and finished with brown or cream accents seen on pillows, bed runners, or canopies. Some rooms have elements of blue and gold thanks to elegant and colorful Vietri tiles. Tiled floors and contemporary furnishings add a sophisticated touch to the spaces, while canopied beds, Italian busts, and pillars in some rooms provide Romanesque grandeur. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, safes, and minibars. Some rooms have furnished balconies offering lovely views. Suites provide more space to stretch out with living rooms, plus extra perks like Nespresso machines, iPads, and hydro-massage tubs. The spacious white marble bathrooms are sleek and stylish, with premium bath products, shower/tub combos with waterfall showerheads, and hairdryers. Note that complaints have been made about spotty Wi-Fi connections and bothersome noise due to thin walls.

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Features

Small rooftop pool, restaurant and poolside grill, three bars, spa, and beach shuttle

Hotel Villa Franca’s standout feature is its rooftop, which has a small pool and sprawling, stunning views. The pool area includes comfortable padded sun loungers and umbrellas on a terra-cotta tile sundeck. Other relaxation areas include the hotel’s small spa, which offers beauty treatments and massages, as well as a Turkish bath. There’s a small fitness area as well. 

Dining options are superb, with a Mediterranean rooftop restaurant, Li Galli Grill, that has panoramic views of the sea and village. For casual dining, the poolside La Galli Grill serves food and drinks. The hotel also has multiple bars, including the Champagne Bar and Galli Sky Bar with great rooftop views. Gallis Bar offers a relaxing lounge setting with a grand piano, chess, cards, and public computers. Beyond drinks, it also serves a small pre-dinner buffet in the lounge. A free basic breakfast buffet is served in the mornings. Room service is available for limited hours. Other features include a small boutique filled with home-type goods, a free beach shuttle, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property -- though the connection can be spotty. Valet parking incurs a daily fee. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Villa Franca

Scene

Upscale hotel with classy, Mediterranean-influenced interiors

With a whitewashed exterior accented by blue tiles and wrought-iron balconies, Hotel Villa Franca is about as Mediterranean as it gets. Built in 1940 as a hotel, it hosted some of the first English travelers to southern Italy, as well as many Allied and American troops in WWII. The hotel underwent a huge modernization in 1990 and was partially renovated in the winter of 2015-2016. It will begin the second half of its refurbishment at the end of 2016. Today, the hotel remains in the hands of the third generation of the original owner. 

Interiors are classy, with a predominately white-and-blue color scheme, arched ceilings, Vietri tiled floors, and watercolor paintings by local artists. Its superb cliffside location means that stunning views of the sea and village are a constant backdrop. The hotel is geared toward couples on romantic getaways, many of whom can be found sharing champagne or wine in the restaurant or bar in the evenings. 

See More Scene

Location

Cliffside location in Positano, a walk to the beach and near restaurants and shops 

Hotel Villa Franca has a fantastic cliffside location in Positano, with stunning views of the sea and surroundings. This charming seaside village is best suited for those on a relaxing getaway. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the closest beach, but it's a hike back up many steps to the hotel -- though a free beach shuttle is provided. There are lots of restaurants and shops within walking distance. Positano is a great base for exploring the Amalfi coast, and the towns of Amalfi and Ravello are 50 minutes and an hour away by car, respectively. Other attractions include Pompeii, which is an hour's drive from here, and Mount Vesuvius, which is an hour-and-a-half away by car. Sorrento is about a 45-minute drive, while Naples and its airport is about an hour-and-a-half by car.

See More Location

Rooms

Stylish rooms with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and marble bathrooms

The rooms at Hotel Villa Franca have a bright, Mediterranean aesthetic, done almost entirely in white and finished with brown or cream accents seen on pillows, bed runners, or canopies. Some rooms have elements of blue and gold thanks to elegant and colorful Vietri tiles. Tiled floors and contemporary furnishings add a sophisticated touch to the spaces, while canopied beds, Italian busts, and pillars in some rooms provide Romanesque grandeur. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, safes, and minibars. Some rooms have furnished balconies offering lovely views. Suites provide more space to stretch out with living rooms, plus extra perks like Nespresso machines, iPads, and hydro-massage tubs. The spacious white marble bathrooms are sleek and stylish, with premium bath products, shower/tub combos with waterfall showerheads, and hairdryers. Note that complaints have been made about spotty Wi-Fi connections and bothersome noise due to thin walls.

See More Rooms

Features

Small rooftop pool, restaurant and poolside grill, three bars, spa, and beach shuttle

Hotel Villa Franca’s standout feature is its rooftop, which has a small pool and sprawling, stunning views. The pool area includes comfortable padded sun loungers and umbrellas on a terra-cotta tile sundeck. Other relaxation areas include the hotel’s small spa, which offers beauty treatments and massages, as well as a Turkish bath. There’s a small fitness area as well. 

Dining options are superb, with a Mediterranean rooftop restaurant, Li Galli Grill, that has panoramic views of the sea and village. For casual dining, the poolside La Galli Grill serves food and drinks. The hotel also has multiple bars, including the Champagne Bar and Galli Sky Bar with great rooftop views. Gallis Bar offers a relaxing lounge setting with a grand piano, chess, cards, and public computers. Beyond drinks, it also serves a small pre-dinner buffet in the lounge. A free basic breakfast buffet is served in the mornings. Room service is available for limited hours. Other features include a small boutique filled with home-type goods, a free beach shuttle, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property -- though the connection can be spotty. Valet parking incurs a daily fee. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.