Le Sirenuse Review – Is It The Best Hotel In Positano?
“Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life.”
Let me start by saying Positano had been on my bucket list for years. Ever since I was bombarded on Pinterest with pictures of colorful buildings, clear seawater, and luxurious boat trips, I knew I had to experience it with my own eyes. Consider me Influenced, I guess…
When the time came to book and finally start planning my trip, the first thought that came to mind was: which hotel should I stay at? I started looking on Google, Pinterest, Instagram, you name it. “Best hotels in Positano,” “Luxury hotels in Positano,” “Hotels with a view in Positano” – you name it, and I googled it. You see, I like to be prepared and tend to have a bit of FOMO, so I can guarantee that I vetted them all.
One name kept popping up: “Le Sirenuse,” a luxurious boutique hotel founded & run by a local family. Drawn in by the vibrant color of the exterior, I immediately fell in love. The charming décor, the view, the pool – everything looked perfect. The only thing that stood in the way of my booking of the place was the price. I put the idea on the back burner for a bit, and after numerous more Google attempts and reviews of people telling me no other hotel even comes close, I thought, you know what, let’s splurge and do it.
Was it worth it? I’ll tell you… Let’s cover a stay at Le Sirenuse from the location to the amenities:
The Location
Le Sirenuse is located in the heart of Positano on the Amalfi Coast. The closest airport is Naples, so you’ll still need to travel for a short time to get there. We decided to book a car to pick us up from the airport as it was the easiest, most effortless option. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive and costs €170 per way, which is pricey. But considering you don’t need to pay for parking by the hotel, we decided it wasn’t worth the hassle to rent a car. Of course, this could be an option if you’re planning on touring the Amalfi coast. However, please remember the roads are pretty narrow and uphill, so if you’re not used to driving in Italy, be careful.
Once you arrive at Le Sirenuse, the view of Positano is incredible, and you’ll definitely see what everyone online was talking about. The view from the restaurant, the terrace, the pool, and even the rooms, is breathtaking. As I mentioned, the hotel is situated in the heart of Positano, so you can easily walk around and explore the small town and the beach. Also, if you’re planning a boat trip, the dock is only a 10-minute walk down from the hotel.
I’d like to add one thing: Positano is very crowded; however, you don’t notice that when you’re inside the hotel. The serenity you see from the place in the pictures does match the experience in person. If you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet, this is your spot.
The Rooms
When you stay at a luxury hotel, one of the most important parts is the comfort of your room, right? When it comes to Le Sirenuse, you don’t have to worry about that at all. The hotel offers a wide variety of room types, from small but cozy to multiple-bedroom suites. We stayed in the Classic Sea View Room. The room is a bit on the small side, but if you’re only staying at the hotel for a couple of days, you’ll have more than enough space. The balcony offers a beautiful view of Positano, but it is directly situated above the pool, so it can feel crowded. Nevertheless, it’s an excellent way to wake up and enjoy a morning breakfast while enjoying the sounds of the sea. The bathroom is spacious, and the shower is perfect; however, unfortunately, you won’t find a bathtub in this room type.
The Restaurants
There are two (three if you count the pool bar) restaurants on the premises of Le Sirenuse: La Sponda and Aldo’s. We tried both, and I recommend you do the same. Aldo’s offers a wide variety of local seafood options, such as octopus, oysters, and sashimi. At La Sponda, you’ll find dishes made with fresh and local ingredients. The atmosphere at both restaurants is pretty laid-back (not stiff or stuck up like some luxury hotel restaurants), and the view of Positano at night is incredible. Please do take into account that the food and drinks are pretty pricey. For example, a glass of Aperol Spritz at the hotel will set you back €26; at the beach, you’ll pay €10. However, the quality does match the price.
If you only have time for one of the two restaurants, La Sponda is the fancier (inside) option for a romantic dinner. Go to Aldo’s for a champagne and oysters type of night. I believe reservations are required, and as it can get busy, I’d make sure you contact the concierge desk when you book your trip or use the booking tool on the website. Oh! Before I forget, if you are looking for a new favorite cocktail to enjoy by the pool, Mora is what you’ve been missing in your life. Trust me ;)
The Amenities
As I mentioned, Le Sirenuse has an outdoor pool with a great view of Positano. I will say that even though the pool is heated, it’s still pretty cold. I didn’t really have a lot of issues with it since I live in the Netherlands, and I’m used to low temperatures and rainy weather, but I did hear other guests around me mention to the staff that the pool was too cold, in their opinion. The hotel also has a small spa where you can reserve an hour in the sauna and steam room. We visited Positano in May, and it rained a bit when we were there, so it was a perfect time to experience the spa. This service is included in the hotel price. However, if you want to book other treatments, you’ll have to pay extra.
What to wear in Positano?
If you’ve seen the Amalfi coast on Instagram or Pinterest, you’ve probably noticed all the women wearing long, colorful dresses. Since I don’t have anything in that style in my closet, I was afraid I’d stand out if I didn’t bring anything similar. Well, let me tell you something I’d wish I’d known before my trip. Looking back, I admit I should’ve known this information, but it didn’t click until I visited for some reason, so don’t judge me. All the girls in white lemon-printed dresses are tourists. Positano doesn’t have a dress code. Wear what you like. End of story! However, if you are looking for those types of dresses, I’d recommend searching for a dress at Reformation, for example, or just buying it there. There are a lot of shops in Positano where you can buy those types of dresses.
The Verdict
You finally got to the part you came here for. Or maybe you just scrolled down immediately to save yourself the trouble. Either way, you’ve made it to the end. Le Sirenuse is a beautiful hotel with magnificent views you won’t get anywhere else in the area. The staff is amicable and organized. In terms of food, everything was divine - from breakfast to lunch and dinner. So, was it worth the money? I’d say yes. If you plan on going to Positano, this is the place to stay. However, I would advise (if you can afford it, of course) to go for a deluxe, superior, etc., room (not the classic) due to the noise from the pool area.
If I could go back in time with my knowledge now, I wouldn’t have stayed five days in Positano. It was a relatively short trip for us, and we didn’t want to travel a lot and move too much since it was also a 1.5-hour drive from the airport. But I regret that now because Positano is very small and has little to do. I think spending 3 days at the hotel and around Positano would’ve been perfect. For example, you can spend 1 day chilling by the pool, 1 day on a boat trip, and 1 day at the beach and walking around Positano. In my opinion, you will not need more time.
Hope this was a bit helpful. If you have any more questions, you can always reach out to me here or on Instagram, and I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions.
Happy Travels!
