The palace of dreams (Hilton Sorrento Palace Hotel)

Member Name: gaultier100

Product:	Hilton Sorrento Palace Hotel
Date:	11/08/04 (552 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stunning location, Good facilities, Excellent housekeeping

Disadvantages: Pricey, Service can be poor, Terrible food

Holidaying in style has never been much of my thing but for a Hilton hotel, I'll make an exception. In fact, staying in one of the executive suites in the Hilton Sorrento Palace made me make quite an exception indeed. We arrived at night, in a taxi driven by one of the local madmen to a suptuously beautiful reception area. Light and airy and ridiculously large, service was quick and efficient and our cases were whipped away as we checked in. After taking the lift to the 6th floor, we were greeted with our room, entering via a clever alarmed keycard system. The executive rooms are quite amazing and equipped with everything you would need for a mobile office - fax machine, phone, paper, envelopes and a precariously perched vase of bamboo. This leads on into the sitting room with TV, sofa and chairs and occasional table, I assume for occasional gatherings...

At this point I was starting to wonder if we were in the right room, Where was the bedroom? All was revealed when upon opening sliding doors, we came upon a bedroom that had it not been for the amazing bathroom in the other direction, would have left me speechless. The amount of space you are given is truly astounding and seemed more like a small flat than a room. The twin balcony gave us clear views over much of Sorrento too, right over the bay, and on a clear day, as far as Naples and Vesuvius. While Sorrento itself has much to offer in way of good eating and a whole range of lemon-inspired souvenirs (including Limoncello - grab a noxious bottle if you have a very sweet tooth when drinking, or for the relatives back home), it's easy not to want to leave the confines of the hotel as everything you may ever need is provided. This ranges from movies on the TV, delightful toiletries in the bathroom, right through to the decadent minibar, equipped with snacks galore.

But of course, the perks of being an executive resident number far beyond this. You breakfast on the top floor (7) on the shade
d veranda and then have a whole poolside area pretty much to yourself as all you share with are 30 other guests on your floor. This is where we first met the infinity pool, a small but perfectly-sized one high-sided pool which enables you to have the most amazing views over Sorrento and the surrounding areas. It's not really for swimming in, more relaxing and luxuriating in. The pool is surrounded by lots of sun loungers and there's plenty of shade for those who get too hot. One of my favourite things was the constant supply of buffet snacks for lunch - bowls of pasta salad, cold drinks, fruit, deserts and even wine.

It's very easy to while away hours up there. But when it all gets a bit too much, there's nothing better than ducking down to your room, grabbing a lovely cool shower and heading out to explore the bustling town below. And Sorrento is well worth an explore - amongst the touristy shops are tiny cafes and winding streets leading down to the harbour as well as a grand church and other beautiful architecture. For serious shoppers, there's also a number of clothes shops and leather retailers.

In the evening, do head down to the town for food. Most places are all around the same price and seem to be family run with delicious local food. As with most places in Italy the fare is much the same with meat, fish, pizza and pasta courses that you just shouldn't miss.

And this is where Sorrento Palace falls down. One evening, we were simply too tired to trek down into the town centre only to have to schlep all the way back up again. So we plumped for one of their restaurants - the San Antonio. I have to say, I'm not one to ever send food back but on this occasion I wanted to. It was served lukewarm and had about as much inspiration as a wet fish. It was truly the worst Italian food I had tasted since I had been visiting Italy and just to top it all, the service was slow and the table stuck unceremoniously under
a plant so that it was hard to move without feeling like David Attenborough. The only perk was that desserts and salads were on a serve yourself basis so no-one went hungry.

On the whole, while it is quite pricey, I do feel the Hilton Sorrento Palace offers good value for money and is certainly a treat that you should allow yourself once in a while. If only for the rooftop pool...

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