Right at the heart of dreamy, pastel-coloured Positano is Le Sirenuse, a Pompeii-red palazzo that the Sersale family opened to guests back in 1951. What started as a summer abode has become one of Italy's finest and most recognised hotels, though it still feels wonderfully like someone's home, albeit one filled with Neapolitan antiques, contemporary art and the family's own fragrance line. With a Michelin-starred restaurant lit by four hundred candles and complimentary boat trips along the coast, this really is la dolce vita done properly.
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No two of the 58 rooms are alike, though all share a soothing palette of white-washed walls, traditional vaulted ceilings and hand-painted Vietri majolica tiles. Antique furniture sits alongside modern amenities, and the family's own Eau d'Italie toiletries are a beautiful touch. Sea-view rooms and suites come with private balconies overlooking the bay - and some even have enormous marble bathtubs positioned to make the most of the view. Do note that the entry-level courtyard rooms, while charming, face inward and are on the cosier side.
That pool terrace, framed by lemon trees and a Nicolas Party mosaic, with one of the most photographed views in all of Positano stretched out below you. It never gets old.
Join the complimentary guided hike up 1,865 steps to Nocelle for jaw-dropping views along the Path of the Gods. It's tough going, but the bragging rights (and the breakfast afterwards) are worth every step.
Positano is vertical and the hotel is no exception – lots of stairs and high balconies mean it's not suitable for children under six, and those with mobility requirements should give early warning.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Le Sirenuse can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Italy trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Italy trips featuring Le Sirenuse or get advice and suggestions from one of our Italy specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Le Sirenuse start from around $1.8K, or US$1.8K, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
A heady blend of cerulean waters & old-world glamour on the world’s most theatrical coastline.
