Hotel Spotlight: Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento
All hotel photos courtesy of Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria unless otherwise noted.
Overview
Poised high above the Bay of Naples and just steps from Sorrento’s lively Piazza Tasso, the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is more than a hotel—it’s a piece of living history. Family-owned since 1834 and layered with stories of past guests like Richard Wagner, Oscar Wilde, and Enrico Caruso, the property blends heritage with elegance in a way that few places can. From the wisteria-covered terrace to the sweeping sea views, it feels both cinematic and deeply personal—a rare kind of grandeur that invites you to slow down and soak it all in.
Location
Nestled in the heart of Sorrento, the hotel sits atop the ancient Roman ruins believed to have belonged to Emperor Augustus’ villa.
Walkable to charming piazzas, boutiques, and local restaurants.
Ideal home base for day trips to Capri, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast. But with the ease of coming and going from Naples.
Direct elevator access to the marina below.
The Viviamo Take
I still remember the feeling of stepping onto the terrace here as a teenager and being completely transported. The golden light, the sea below, and that sense of magic you can’t quite put into words—it was one of the first times I understood what travel could do to you. This isn’t just a hotel stay; it’s a memory-maker. The kind of place that leaves a mark. (Make it to the bottom to see my first time at the property!)
Furthermore, Sorrento is a gem of a town that can be overlooked as it’s on the other side of the peninsula than Amalfi, Positano, Praiano, etc. It actually can be easier logistically when you don’t have a lot of time to spend on the coast.
Rooms
The Pavarotti Suite. Photos courtesy of Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria.
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria’s 81 rooms and suites are each uniquely decorated, many with antique furnishings and rich historical details.
Caruso’s former suite remains lovingly preserved—a nod to the hotel’s artistic legacy
Request a Sea View Suite for private terraces and jaw-dropping vistas
For families, they offer connecting rooms or Junior Suites with extra space
Many rooms are located across three 19th-century buildings with garden or sea views
Dining
From candlelit elegance to poolside bites, the culinary experiences here are as memorable as the setting.
Terrazza Bosquet is the hotel’s MICHELIN-starred restaurant, serving refined Mediterranean cuisine with sweeping views and live orchestral music in summer
L’Orangerie offers a relaxed, al fresco setting by the pool
Start your evening at La Pergola, where you can sip champagne beneath blooming wisteria with a view of the sea
Breakfast on the terrace feels straight out of a movie
Don’t skip the housemade limoncello, crafted with lemons from the property’s private orchard
Vibe
Grand, nostalgic, and quietly romantic—like stepping into the pages of a novel.
Viviamo Extras
When you book your stay through Viviamo Travel Co., enjoy exclusive perks like:
Daily breakfast
Room upgrades upon arrival (when available)
Early check-in / late check-out
$100 hotel credit to use during your stay
Good to Know
Best visited in spring or early fall for mild weather and fewer crowds
The hotel is built into a cliff—elevators help, but some stairs remain
Popular with weddings and events—book early for high season
Private transfers from Naples available for a seamless arrival
Don’t miss the Boutique Spa La Serra, set inside a converted 19th-century greenhouse surrounded by citrus trees
Dreaming of Your Own Sorrento Story?
If this sounds like your kind of place, I’d love to help you plan a stay that feels just as magical.
Let’s start dreaming together.
