Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

The breathtaking beauty and temperate climate of southern Italy's coast has drawn travellers to the cliffs of the Sorrento Peninsula along the Mediterranean Sea since the Romans first became enamored of "Surrentum" milennia ago. The iconic Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is an important part of the long history of this stretch of resort coastline, with its uniqe fin-de-siècle architecture dating back to between 1834 and 1880 and original antique furnishings inside, including beautiful inlaid pieces of furniture made by local artisans. This historic Grand Dame hotel includes three different sections built over amost half a century, housing a vast selection of rooms and suites, each unique and extraordinary.

During the almost 200 years since its inauguration, Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria has hosted numerous celebrities, magnates, and royalty in its sumptuous rooms and sweeping terraces overlooking the Gulf of Naples, including Richard Wagner, Enrico Caruso, Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe, and Sophia Loren, all of whom have sought out the elegant, understated hospitality at this five-star hotel for their stay on the Sorrento coast.

The Excelsior Vittoria is unique not just for its history and luxury, but also for its vast private estate stretching for five acres along the coast, thick with citrus and olive trees and lush flowering tropical plants. Here guests can relax in privacy in the gardens, at the gorgeous swimming pool surrounded by an orange grove, and in the hidden pergolas and scenic overlooks. The hotel's iconic and much-photographed main terrace features a private elevator whisking guests directly down to the pier in the habor below. Here there are a number of private boat and yacht rentals for an exclusive sail along the stunning surrounding coastline south to the Amalfi Coast or north to Naples, or to the Italian islands of Capri and Ischia. This is also where the public ferries stop, connecting Sorrento to destinations on the Amalfi Coast and the islands. The one-of-a-kind blend of luxury, location, history, and modern meeting and event facilities for up to 250 people make the Excelsior Vittoria the perfect venue for both work and play.

The beauty of the surrounding coast and gardens is not lost on guests, as most rooms have a private terrace or balcony overlooking the Mediterreanean or the estate. The elegant historic suites feature original period furnishings and private terraces with a view of the bay where guests can relax over an evening cocktail and watch the sun set over the sea in complete seclusion.

The famous "Enrico Caruso" suite is one of the hotel's most popular, and has conserved the same décor and furnishings from 1921, when the famous Italian tenor stayed for several months; the "Pompeii" Suite features frescoes inspired by the Roman villas which once stood in nearby Pompeii; and the "Suites degli Aranci", overlooking the orange grove, and the romantic "Vittoria Suite", with two terraces, are among the hotel's largest for those who require more space.