Simply walking into the lobby of the Hotel Parco dei Principi, with its clean marine shades, its calming blue and white ceramic tiled floors and original furnishings, I felt a sense of serenity and peace. An aura of total tranquility overcame my being immediately. The beautiful entrance of this 5 star resort in Sorrento, Italy, is surrounded by elegant botanical gardens with tall palm trees, age-old trees, flowers and plants.

As I walked further into this hotel paradise, I saw its dazzling, breathtaking, panorama of the sea and the hotels private beach. This very magical hotel in the center of Sorrento stands on one of the most charming and unspoiled stretches of the Sorrentine Peninsula. It is a perfect blend of the sixties modernist style and the dramatic natural surroundings, which is all set on a cliff overlooking the magnificent Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

The Hotel Parco dei Principi was designed and built in 1961 by the iconic Italian architect Gio Ponti and it is nothing short of a masterpiece of contemporary art. Its unique décor draws on a combination of the rich history of the Renaissance with its own modern twist. The ambiance is harmonious from the furniture and lighting, to the 30 different geometric-patterned blue and white tiles used in different combinations throughout the interior.

As I checked into the hotel, the flawless and friendly staff paid attention to my every request with an eager to please reception. I was brought to my room feeling so fortunate to have found a hotel with views so spectacular that it will remain in my memory forever. This is a vision of perfection and gorgeousness that one could never get enough of.  Sitting on my terrace overlooking the picturesque panorama of the Sorrento coastline, I was relaxed and completely understood the meaning of 'vacation'. The hotel is extraordinary. This is the kind of hotel atmosphere that makes you never want to leave your room or the city. My favorite part of sitting on the veranda was enjoying a glass of wine and watching the sunsets. Miraculous, is all I can say! "Il dolce far niente... The sweetness of doing nothing"!

I found that I had to literally push myself to go into the city of Sorrento, which is completely fabulous and an absolute must. I loved experiencing the sights, sounds, smells, shops, bars and quaint restaurants. The city is charming and the locals are passionate. When in Sorrento, do jump on the little green bus and the little white train that takes you around the city, all its attractions and sights. It is totally fun and exciting! They blast all the famous Italian songs that we all know and love. I also, discovered a theater where they present (By Teatro Tasso) "The Sorrento Musical", with traditional dancing and well known Italian songs. The show is very delightful and another must in Sorrento. Do pick any restaurant at all for lunch, they are all wonderful and pasta is a must, actually a requirement, I say! Then of course, do go ahead and have some gelato or a cannoli or both, I did! They are legendary and totally yummy in this part of Italy. Furthermore, there is a café in the city center that I went to a few hours every day for wine, olives, peanuts, melon, a sweet and cappuccino. I never stopped eating every second that I was in Italy. I asked myself, "why"? Then I replied, "why not"! 

The Parco dei Principi Hotel Sorrento has a terrific central location in the city, close to the must-see main square Piazza Tazzo, the Museo Correale di Terranova and Sedile Dominova. Another nearby point of interest is Chiesa di San Francesco. Upon reservation, the hotel provides a shuttle service to several nearby destinations on schedule. However, after long fun days of sightseeing in this fascinatingly wonderful city, I was indeed always happy to return to the beauty of Parco dei Principi and its surroundings for dinner.

Accommodation: The rooms in Parco dei Principi (Located on either side of the hotel) to this day maintain the original Gio Ponti design and layout. The Hotel has 96 rooms from Classic to Superior, from Deluxe to Junior Suite, with garden views or front sea views with sliding windows which open onto terraces and balconies where there are captivating views of the surroundings. This is where I sat, relaxed and enjoyed the good life! All of the rooms at the Parco dei Principi Hotel Sorrento are spacious (Especially for Europe), include private bathrooms, balconies or terraces, air conditioning, phones, TVs, and mini bars, among other amenities. Rooms, suites and villas have either double or twin beds which were heavenly to sleep on with their posh bedding. The rooms are all equipped with Free Wi-Fi, security box, telephone with direct external line, LCD TV, satellite channels, film on demand, high-speed Internet, blue bathrooms with mosaics and terrific Marinella amenities. Each of the rooms feature majolica tiles, a type of Italian glazed pottery. Again, all of the rooms I saw were lovely with an ambiance that promotes peace and tranquility.

CLASSIC ROOM

Classic rooms have botanical park view through a large balcony. Twin or queen bedded rooms, Gio Ponti furnishing and ceramic floors.

SUPERIOR ROOM

Superior rooms overlook the sea through a balcony. Twin or queen bedded rooms with an extra bed upon request, Gio Ponti furnishing and ceramic floors. This is the room that I stayed in and it was wonderfully impressive. I loved the colors, the cleanliness and the furniture was comfy. The views from my room were both remarkable and memorable. A home away from home.

DELUXE ROOM

Deluxe rooms offer an outstanding front sea view of the Sorrento Coast through a glass door giving access to a balcony and twin or queen bedded rooms.

JUNIOR SUITE PARK VIEW

Junior Suites overlook the Botanical Park either through a balcony or large windows and divided into a bedroom and a little lounge.

JUNIOR SUITE SEA VIEW

Junior Suites Sea View over look the Sorrento Coast through a balcony. An environment divided into bedroom and a little lounge.

On one occasion, I made my way down to the hotels divine private beach (by means of an elevator) to simply relax and enjoy the scenery. I was provided with towels, a sun bed and a parasol. The following day I took a refreshing swim in the delightful, healing, saltwater, swimming pool and partook in various water sports for extra fun.

Poggio Siracusa Restaurant is where I thoroughly enjoyed the local and international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also, the main restaurant Gio Ponti, which is renowned for its international cuisine served in an elegant and stylish dining room. Breakfast is a memory all on its own. The buffet is sensational and has everything from rolls, breads, sweets, meats and cheeses, eggs and sausages, fresh fruit and juices, all types of cafes and on and on. I ate it all! Every morning... Julia Roberts in, "Eat Pray Love", had nothing over me!

The blue sky and the sea are echoed in the blue and white tones seen throughout the hotel... The gorgeous Majolica floors, the fabrics, the walls, the glasses and the tableware all enhanced and made for a lovely dining experience. One night I enjoyed dinner out on the terrace and it was most unforgettable. From the service to the views to the delectable meal and wine, everything was perfect. I enjoyed their delicious eggplant parmesan to start and then the scrumptious grilled king prawns and sautéed seafood with pasta on the side...The wine of the region that was paired for my entrée tasted like velvet. I closed my eyes and then reopened them to capture this ultra posh happening and combination of beauty and flavors.

Wellness Center

This hotel environment cries out for pampering and without a doubt, the Parco dei Principi is also, a Wellness Hotel. Some of the treatments offered are massages, Jacuzzi, Face and body treatments, anti-stress treatments (who can't use some of this), Kundamiri treatments, an innovative system for regenerating the skin (treating cellulites and relaxing the body using state-of-the-art medical equipment), advice on personalized diets and balanced menus, mini-Gym with cardio-fitness and weight equipment and hairdressing services. Furthermore, the hotel has four new personalized wellness packages, inspired by the four natural elements: Air, Water, Fire and Earth. Each treatment offers an effective combination of different wellness therapies. I felt like a new person after my day of luxury in the spa. The hotel also, has a fine exercise room open 24 hours to burn off all the calories from the more than fantastic food from this area of the world. More pasta please!!!!

Villa Cortchacow on the hotel grounds is a wonderful example of the late 18th century architecture and has the Sedowa Room and a lovely "dancing" terrace. The room can seat up 80 people and with the terrace it can accommodate up to 250 seated, which is great for a wedding and reception.

Whether you are on vacation, business (For business travelers there is a conference centre with seven meeting rooms including the Leonardo Room with seating for 350 people) or a romantic adventure, I know you will love your stay at The Hotel Parco dei Principi as much as I did. It is designed to bring its guests luxury, peace and happiness. It truly captures the essence of Sorrento, I know it did that for me and more. I loved every minute of my stay and I actually, hated to leave this blissful hotel.  Bravo to all.

I would like to thank Marco Zuppetta for all his help and assistance in making this article possible.

HOTEL Parco dei Principi
Via Rota, 1
80067 Sorrento (NA)
Tel. + 39 081 878 4644
Fax + 39 081 8783786
E-mail: info@hotelparcoprincipi.com
Reservation T. + 39 081 878 2858
Reservation F. + 39 081 764 5707
E-mail: book@hotelparcoprincipi.com

Hotel Website