Hilton Sorrento Palace

Opened in 1981, the Hilton Sorrento Palace claims to be the biggest hotel in Southern Italy. Boasting nearly 350 rooms, lots of leisure facilities, and 24 meeting rooms, it certainly feels big compared to the area hotels, and the pool area can get crowded in the peak summer months. Also on the downside, the hotel has a mix of old-fashioned and modern decor. Most of the rooms are dated (though renovations are ongoing), and the lobby lounge has faux-leather sofas in a loud mix of orange, yellow, red, and light-blue under a striking, though '80s-style gold ceiling fixture. Other common areas are largely sleek and contemporary, from the spacious reception area's white marble floors, white walls, and pops of black in chairs and photos, to the mostly gray Executive Lounge with pops of serene blues and greens. 

Fortunately, most guests aren't focused on the interior design, because the views from several vantage points are stellar. Encompassing Mount Vesuvius, the surrounding hillsides, and Gulf of Naples, vistas from rooms, both outdoor pool areas, and the al fresco dining terrace are picture-perfect. This hotel sees a high number of corporate groups, and a good mix of couples and families. At night, most guests dine off-site, though the lobby bar with live piano music does get frequented. The lack of a spa may be a deal-breaker for some, so in that case, consider the luxurious Bellevue Syrene, which also has a more central setting. 

Hilton Sorrento Palace has a great location just a 10-minute walk from Piazza Tasso, Sorrento's main square. It's set a little up a hill (be prepared for this on the walk back from town), which allows for a bit quieter setting and gorgeous views of the surrounding area and sea. While the entrance to the hotel is at the top of an uphill street, a gate farther down can be opened with the room key as a shortcut. Numerous restaurants, bars, and shops are within a 15-minute walk of the property, and the beach can be reached in roughly the same time. The Port of Sorrento, for ferries to Capri, Positano, Amalfi, Ischia, and Naples, is around a 15- to 20-minute walk away. While taxis are available and can reduce the travel time, they are extremely pricey. Parking is available on-site for those with cars, but it requires a daily fee.

Naples and its airport are about an hour away by car, while Rome can be reached in three hours. 

Renovations in 2018 gave rooms on the fourth and fifth floors a modern and stylish black-and-white design with wood floors, white wood furniture, and pops of black and gray. However, most units have a dated look consisting of simple light-wood furniture, tan carpet, and fabrics -- on headboard, armchairs, and curtains -- in red or orange hues. Renovations are ongoing, albeit slow, for the rest of the rooms. All units have furnished balconies, either overlooking the sea and surrounding hillside or garden. Also standard are flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, minibars, desks, air-conditioning, and closets with safes. Wi-Fi is only free for Hilton Honors members. Triple and Quadruple Executive Rooms add sofa beds. Note that many of these have partitions between their terraces, but they aren't very private.

Non-renovated bathrooms are done in brown mosaic tiles, while modern units have sleek white walls with marble counters. All come with shower/tub combos, bidets, free toiletries, and hairdryers. 

Be aware that several past guests have complained of noise issues.  

Ample leisure and business facilities are available to keep guests satisfied on-site. The standout feature in the summer is undoubtedly the cascading main pool made up of six pools. The deck is lined with loungers and umbrellas, though some guests have complained that it can get crowded in the summer and be difficult to secure a chair. An adjacent seasonal snack bar serves Neapolitan-style pizza and other grub, and this space has pretty area views. On cooler days, guests can head indoors to the grotto-like pool, decorated to resemble a Roman bath. It's a lovely atmospheric space with several loungers. 

Guests in upgraded units get access to the seventh-floor Executive Lounge, which has an indoor dining area serving free breakfast buffets, afternoon snacks, and wine. It also has its own small infinity pool, and an outdoor terrace with breathtaking views -- particularly at sunset. Other leisure features include an outdoor playground, poolside seasonal kids' club with activities, tennis court with football pitches, and modern fitness center with a variety of cardio and strength-training equipment. On the downside, there's no spa here.

The dining highlight here is J Contemporary Japanese Restaurant, which serves dinner on an outdoor terrace with pretty vistas. It's only open in the summer months. Also seasonal is the poolside La Pagoda, which has a menu of pizza, salads, and drinks. A lobby bar serves drinks throughout the day and into the evening, accompanied by live piano music every evening. The adjacent Sorrento Restaurant serves breakfast buffets for a fee, plus Mediterranean and Italian dishes with an emphasis on seafood for lunch and dinner. Room service is available.

Ample meeting and event spaces make this is a popular pick for corporate groups. Twenty-four meeting rooms, a ballroom, and an auditorium for up to 1,500 people are all available. Wi-Fi, however, is only free for Hilton Honors members.